My last Ironman race was back in 2010. I needed to re-qualify to keep my Pro card, and I did, at Ironman Florida. My Professional license was good for another 3 years! I knew I was starting to get burnt out with racing at this point, but I trained for another race because that’s just what I did (I was training for Ironman Wisconsin 2011). My friend Erin came with me to be my support crew in Wisconsin (Erin, my “lucky charm” also came with me to Ironman Austria, which happened to be my Ironman PR, a 9:38, placing 6th overall...see pic below). I was not into my training for Wisconsin...I just didn’t have that “edge” and “focus” that I normally did, but I travelled to the race, because that’s just what I did!
I started the swim and felt terrible right away. I even started hyper-ventilating and began unzipping my wetsuit to get some air! I was panicking! Then I stopped and did some self-talk, “get a grip Danielle! You are a Pro and you have been swimming most of your life!!” That helped me to snap out of it. I finished the swim, but I exited the water dead last in the Pro field. I remember heading to transition only to see my bike and no others on the Pro rack! Part of me just didn’t care while the other part of me was embarrassed… I hopped on the bike and began the 112 mile journey only to realize that I felt worse than I did in the swim! I couldn’t hold anywhere near my Ironman wattage. People were passing me like I was standing still. Again, I just didn’t care. I remember thinking, “there is NO WAY I can ride for 112 miles! I just don’t want to do this!” I finally decided that I would pull over and abandon the race when I saw my friend Erin, and that’s exactly what I did. At mile 40, when I finally saw Erin, I pulled over and told her I was DONE. “Are you sure you want to do this?” Erin asked? “Absolutely.” I said. I felt zero guilt or remorse over my decision. In fact, we went back to the finish line to cheer on the other Pro Women in the race. I left Wisconsin and decided to hang up my “Ironman shoes” for good. This was a tough decision for me. This is what I did! I had been racing seriously at that point for 10 years of my life and I didn’t know what to do without an Ironman race on the horizon! I still had two years left to race as a Pro, but I was done. 15 Ironman races was it for me.
I never looked back. I started focusing on building my coaching business, which I love and feel so fortunate to have. I love the sport, and I am thrilled that I can keep Ironman and the sport of triathlon in my life by helping to coach and motivate others. In my 18 years in the sport I have learned so much, and I am still learning! I coach such an amazing and wonderful group of athletes… I feel SO lucky to be able to do such a thing! I have truly been blessed in my life.
Though I gave up racing Ironman, I still continued to race shorter distances at a less-intense level. I got in training when I could, but certainly not near the same level that I used to train at. Towing the line at a race with the “lack-of-fitness” that I am used to is sometimes nerve-racking for me, but I know that’s just my ego talking, so I go for it anyway. I just finished my 18th year in a row racing triathlon. Some races I win and some I don’t. I remember telling my life partner, George that I will never again race an Ironman as an amateur. After racing Pro I just wouldn’t want to race amateur again…BUT as George said to me back then, “you can NEVER SAY NEVER!”
I just turned 39, and I am coming to the realization that in a just few years, breaking 10 hours in an Ironman could be impossible for me… I have 2-3 years to have the ability to race a PR Ironman. Also, the more I think about it the more I realize that I’d love to go back to Kona and race to win my age group. I guess I was short-sighted when I said I would never race Ironman as an amateur again! Back when I raced Kona in the 25-29 year age group, the year before I turned Pro, I placed 2nd in that age group and 4th amateur overall (see pics below). How great would it be to come back to race in the 40-44 year age-group and try to get that 1st place spot!
So, I am officially signed up for Ironman Florida 2016 to try and get that spot to head back to Kona. Florida is a familiar race for me (I’ve don’t it 4 times and it was my very first Ironman back in 2001). I’ve always raced well there and I am going back. I am also signed up for IM Atlantic City 70.3 with a bunch of my athletes and many other Long Island triathletes, it seems! It should be fun to see familiar faces, and all of the different Long Island tri groups out there on the course. I’m excited to put in long training rides with my group and to race together down in A.C as well as other races locally! Event Power always has a great line-up for local races, so I will certainly be at a few of their events! It also looks like “Race Awesome” has some new events this upcoming season as well! I’ll also be heading to Mont-Tremblant to cheer on two of my athlete’s race, and get in some great training while I’m at it!
I will approach this Ironman a bit differently….coaching is my number 1 priority. It is my passion and it must come first, but I am lucky to be able to work and train! Also, I have fallen in love with surfing and I love boating with George and our dog Salty. I plan on having a much more “well-rounded” existence than I did back in the day….this is also a priority for me. It will be interesting to see if I can race at a similar level and have a more well-rounded life. I think I can and I encourage my athletes to do the same!
I am very lucky to have a very supportive family. George is always 100% behind me, and always has been. There were many days when I was a Pro that he headed out on his commute to work as I was hopping on my bike or as I headed to Arizona or Florida to train for a few weeks. He was never anything other than supportive of what I was doing. My parents and most loyal support crew are also on board and looking forward to it! They have travelled to and watched 13 of my 15 Ironman races. Though I raced on the Zoot Team, my parents were a large part of financial support back then. It was a crucial part of being able to travel and race in a sport where only the top percentage of athletes can actually make a living doing it! I am looking forward to a great year with Iron Fit Endurance and am excited for whatever lies ahead! Dee
