July 18, 2024
SARANAC LAKE – Whether it’s High Peaks or taking on an over-staying power challenge, Saranac Lake local Aaron Hesseltine loves to push himself.
So when his planned boxing workout fell through in March, the 25-year-old took on one of the most demanding tests this region has to offer: Ironman Lake Placid, an event that combines a 2. 4-mile, 112-a-ride ride. 1 mile moto and 26. 2 mile full marathon. He will be one of the 2,500 athletes who will participate in the event on Sunday, July 21.
“It’s just anything I’ve been looking to do for the last few years,” he said. “I started doing Spartan races and then it occurred to me to take it to the next level, which would be triathlons. “
After competing the last two times at Tupper Lake Tinman, while posting strong results, including a 75th place finish in 2023 and a 33rd place finish last June, Hesseltine must up his game.
“I thought, ‘Why go through the big boy?'” he said.
Since he decided to participate in the Ironman in March, Hesseltine has dedicated about two hours a day to preparing for the occasion.
“It’s a lot of cycling, a lot of swimming and a lot of running,” he said. “The longest distance I’ve ever cycled is a hundred miles. I ran 50 km the day before. I did the Ironman circuit. The longest run in one day would be Tinman’s run, but I did it more individually.
Although either of his siblings ran cross-country, track and field, and boxing at top school, Hesseltine didn’t start competing in races until after he finished college. But even with a slower start to the game than most, he’s already getting back into the swing of things. In June, he competed in the Lake Placid Half Marathon and placed 11th overall.
Running this part of the marathon will also help you compare the hills, one of the toughest parts of the Ironman Lake Placid, in Sunday’s triathlon.
“And the Spartan races, for the most part, were mountain races, so there are a lot of hills in them,” he said. “Hills are one of my strong points. “
Of the other two Ironman disciplines, Hesseltine said the swimming component will be the weakest, although that’s not what worries him the most.
“The bike is the one that makes me the most nervous. This is the longest test,” he said. It’s going to last seven hours, while in swimming I’m the weakest, but it’s only an hour and a half. “. That doesn’t worry me too much.
Hesseltine doesn’t care about his time on Sunday. He said his main goal was simply to finish the race.
“When I did Tinman (this year), I saw it more as a race where I passed to pass as hard as I could. I just need that. So slow and steady will be my most productive route. I’m still passing to put in a lot of effort , I just need to succeed at the finish line. I don’t need to try hard or anything like that.
He is very excited to compete against some of the world’s Ironman athletes.
“Of course, I know I wouldn’t possibly be in the lead group,” he said. “But to be on the starting line with some of those incredible athletes is going to be exciting. I can’t wait to do all of that,” just be a part of the event, sign up, etc. , on Thursday, Friday, or Saturday.
Although Hesseltine grew up in Saranac Lake, a short distance from the race site, he doesn’t have a deep connection to Ironman Lake Placid. In fact, he never attended the occasion in person.
“I drove around town, but I never volunteered, I never participated in the festivities and all that. I’m excited about everything. It will be an incredible day and, at the same time, very fun,” he stated.
Hesseltine comes from a fairly large circle of Saranac Lake family, so on Sunday’s race day, he will most likely have a solid organization of others cheering him on.
“It will be great to see them. I have family and friends who are also volunteers,” he said. “So it will be great to see other people at the aid stations. I hope I don’t look destroyed.
“(But I know) it’s going to be tricky a few days later, but everything will be fine. I know the twist of fate will be important, so I think I’ll take a few days off afterwards.
–
LOCAL ATHLETES
–
AuSable Forks
–
Jason Burdo (M40-44)
Jennifer Manning (F35-39)
–
Jay
–
Erin Hanczyk (F35-39)
–
Keene
–
Julie Woody (45-49)
–
Lake Plácido
–
Jacquelyn Bentley (F55-59)
Matthew Cook (M45-49)
Amy Trim (F50-54)
Nathan Hammaker (M50-54)
Bryan Hartman (M40-44)
Curtis Howard (M40-44)
Kevin Mallery (M65-69)
Kami Netri (F60-64)
Estefanía Pianka (F55-59)
Colleen Porter (F45-49)
Goalkeeper Loring (M55-59)
Brenda Smith (F55-59)
Renée Towne (F40-44)
Traci Wagner (F35-39)
Melissa Witt (F40-44)
–
Lake Saranac
–
Samuel Boulanger (U25-29)
David Boese (M30-34)
Aaron Hesseltine (U25-29)
Emma Kieran (F45-49)
Michael Legget (M35-39)
–
Tupper Lake
–
Samantha Davis (F40-44)
–
Wilmington
–
Timothee Landis (M60-64)
Bill McGreevy (M30-34)
Jessie Sangster (F40-44)
LAKE PLACID – The 25th Ironman Lake Placid will take place on Sunday, July 21; its direction along the roads. . .
Today’s newest and more in your inbox