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! 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.
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.
What would you do differently next time (if anything)? 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? HOLY SHIT! I got to see my coaches, then my wife, then my mom all while completing a goal I set 10 years ago. 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. Comments are closed.
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