InsideOut client, Mary Wakeham dazzling at Ironman Lake Placid 2018
Caroline Kavanagh | Jul 30, 2018
A year ago I began working with Mary, as she applied the principles of Metabolic Efficiency Training in order to improve both her day-to-day and race-day nutrition. Her goal was to improve her performance in long course triathlon - as she so aptly stated - "so that I am not just "surviving" the race!" Fast forward one year later at the iconic Lake Placid Ironman. Mary pushed herself to new limits as she more than "survived" the race. She cruised across the finish line with a personal record, shaving off 1 hour and 30 minutes from her previous best to take 7th place in her 55-59 age group. Stellar performance! For those that are not familiar with the Ironman Lake Placid course, it is known as one of the toughest races on the IRONMAN circuit (nestled in the Adirondack mountains) with the weather typically being an X-factor come race day. This year's race held weather conditions that fluctuated between cold rain and wind with even some hail, to hot and humid on the run. Certainly not ideal by any stretch. The swim portion of the race is two loops in Mirror Lake, a calm, pristine lake right in the heart of Lake Placid. Mary toed the line fueled up with her race day breakfast and topped it off with a dose of UCAN sports nutrition before the cannon went off. She reported the water temperature being perfect but a "battle" at the turn buoys with 2,000 of her closet friends ; )
The demanding two-loop bike course takes cyclists through the surrounding hills of the Adirondacks, each lap culminating with an 11-mile climb up "the notch" back to the transition area. Elevation gain is 4,182 ft. Mary's first loop on the bike was rainy and cold with even some periods of hail. On her second loop the temperature warmed up and she was finally able to use her hands effectively. She noted that due to the cold on the first loop she didn't get in her targeted nutrition but with warmer temperature on her second loop she was back on track. Off the bike, her energy felt very stable, her mood was positive... feeling great! The two-loop run course challenges athletes with a tour through the city center four times with an elevation gain of 1,604 ft. The sun finally appeared (of course not ideal at this point for her on the run) and the conditions were now hot and humid. With a downhill start and feeling great off the bike, Mary tried to reign herself in knowing it was all about pacing herself for the marathon. Heading out on the run Mary was in 10th position.... she passed three age group competitors while now trying to stay cool, fueled and hydrated...... she crossed the finish line in 7th place....... Running her second fastest marathon EVER!
Mary Wakeham, Ironman Lake Placid 2018
Mary's prior Ironman race stats give some perspective on her nutrition improvements over this past year implementing Metabolic Efficiency Training. 2015 - Ironman Maryland: Finish time just over 15 hours Weight 130-135lbs 2016 - Ironman Chattanooga: DNF 😫 Weight 135 lbs 2017 - July - Began Implementing Metabolic Efficiency Training principles Lost 15 lbs 2018 - Ironman Lake Placid: Finish 13:38:28 Weight 120 lbs • Personal Record by 1 1/2 hours • Her Second fastest marathon • Overall improved recovery rate after training sessions and races
Mary not only credits Metabolic Efficiency Training (MET) to her success over this past year but also to her training coach Kristen Lamb at Breakthrough Performance Coaching who targeted the physical component of her training.
Huge congrats to Mary who took hold of all the principles involved in MET and absolutely crushed her race. She will be toeing the line again next year at Lake Placid. Lookout competitors! Test don't guess! #insideOuthp.com #metabolicefficiency