Flying High at Ironman Lake Placid

From 30,000 ft to the Lake Placid Finish Line

How (& where) in the world does a commercial airline pilot have the time and ability to train for an Ironman triathlon? Good question!
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10 years after volunteering at the Ironman World Championship in Kona, HI, Shannon Harlow became an “ironman” and crossed the finish line at Ironman Lake Placid with a smile on his face.

Below is a short Q & A with Shannon.

We hope this serves as inspiration to others as well as highlights his achievement.

How and Why did you get into triathlon?

I was an athlete growing up, but I always played team sports and never “ran for fun”.

Hawaii was the first place I lived where I didn’t have a team to play with so I started going for runs to see the area and stay in shape. After I did my volunteer shift at the Ironman World Championship in Kona, HI, I was told I had to come back to the finish line at midnight. I knew I was in for something special.

The finish line atmosphere was incredible and the inspiration was through the roof. The energy was palpable. It was then I decided that one day I was going to do an Ironman triathlon.
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This experience served as the spark that lit my fire.

2014 Ironman World Championship finish line. Credit: Photo Courtesy: Nils Nilsen/IRON

Why did you decide to hire a coach and more specifically RTA to help prepare you for your races?

I did my first big season of races just as an RTA Team Member, which was helpful on its own, but I knew before I could make the leap to the full Ironman, we needed to dive into the deep end of coaching and get 1 on 1 assistance for all aspects of training.

As a pilot, I have a weird work schedule so the ability to talk to a professional triathlon coach multiple times a week to change, adjust, move, and just mess with my schedule was so helpful.

I’m not sure how I found RTA, but I’m sure glad I did. I usually have high confidence in myself, but Chris and Elizabeth turned it from blind confidence to knowing exactly what I was about to do and doing it well! That was priceless.

Shannon digs deep with less than 2 miles to go.

Outstanding coaching, Incredible race support, awesome social events, and overall just an all-around great group of people.”
- Shannon

Coach E giving Shannon encouragement on the final part of the Run in Lake Placid

You recently completed your first IRONMAN in Lake Placid, what was that like?

It sucked, in the best way possible.

The swim was fun. Though the second loop was a bit congested.

The bike was just long. The sights were incredible. I was riding my race, being patient as other athletes passed me because I knew I would be passing them in the run.
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Every marathon I’ve run, I’ve had problems cramping towards the end of the race. Not this time. We ran everything except the big hills and aid stations. With the knowledge I gained from my Coaches, I fought off cramps.
I started the race with a random goal to beat the sunset, not knowing what time I was going to cross the start line, I had no idea if it was even possible. Sunset was 8:30pm, I told everyone on the last mile to hurry up and beat the sun, we crossed the line at 8:29:31 pm. I beat the sun!

Shannon is out of the water after a great swim and off to T1.

Working through the run

​What was the best part of the race? 
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The swim was the most fun, but the run was the best part because it was a mental and physical battle. It was a blast!

What would you do differently next time (if anything)?
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Not run out of salt pills on the bike. I knew I was running low, but I didn’t slow my consumption until it was too late so I went the last 40 minutes without salt when I should have spaced out the last few more. 

What was going through your head when you crossed the finished line?
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HOLY SHIT! I got to see my coaches, then my wife, then my mom all while completing a goal I set 10 years ago. 

Shannon flys through the finish line,... just before dark!

Join this crew and you’ll do things you never thought imaginable!” -Shannon

The captain has safely landed at his Ironman finish line in Lake Placid

Any general advice you'd give to others thinking about doing an Ironman?

Get a coach, and remember this is supposed to be fun.

It was never a question if I would finish the race because I knew I had the best training program for me. It was fluid and it was adjusted for me whenever necessary.

​The online training plans I have used in the past always left me questioning my preparedness on race morning.

With a coach, that was never a thought. The whole process was a ton of fun, and that’s really what it’s all about. 

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