West Side Rag
  • TOP NEWS
  • OPEN/CLOSED
  • FOOD
  • SCHOOLS
  • OUTDOORS
  • REAL ESTATE
  • ART & CULTURE
  • POLITICS
  • COLUMNS
  • CRIME
  • HISTORY
  • ABSURDITY
  • ABOUT US
    • OUR STORY
    • CONTRIBUTORS
    • CONTACT
West Side Rag
No Result
View All Result
SUPPORT THE RAG

Search the site

No Result
View All Result
Get WSR FREE in your inbox
SUPPORT THE RAG

NOTES ON TRAINING AND COMPETING FROM A LOCAL IRONMAN

August 18, 2012 | 2:54 PM
in COLUMNS, OUTDOORS
0

Editor’s Note: Last weekend, Upper West Sider Thomas Hudson joined about 2,500 other people from all over the world in competing in the Ironman U.S. Championship Triathlon, which finished at 81st Street in Riverside Park. It included a 2.6-mile swim in the Hudson, a 112-mile bike ride, and a 26.2-mile run. He sent us some thoughts on training in the neighborhood and on competing in the event. (Photo of Hudson and his support team at the bottom.)

On Training

The UWS is the perfect place to train for a triathlon race. If you need hills, head to central park and do the loop where it is challenging to find even a mile the is not undulated, and the north end of the park designed for steep bike or run hill repeats.

If you want flats, breeze, and beauty river side park is the place to be running and biking along the Hudson. Depending on the desired mileage, head north on the path to the George Washington Bridge and onward to 9w and the villages and cafes of Piermont and Nyack NY.
The bottom line, in a city of 8 million people, serenity and scenery abound with many routes on the Upper West Side unimpeded by cars — Central Park, along the Hudson, the upper part of riverside park, etc

There is no better way to explore a neighborhood than on foot, pacing and observing. It makes the time pass and changes your vantage point.

On the Race

There were approximately 2500 competitors ranging in age from 18-75. with an average of 37, representing 46 states and 44 countries. The U.S., Brazil, and Australia had the highest concentrations.

Nothing about the course was easy: from rain during the bike check-in to the questions about are we going to swim or not and the psychological impact of sewage potentially being in the water, to hills, wind, humidity, and heat. But hey it was an Ironman and the U.S. Championships to boot. What was supposed to start w/ a current slightly against to a slack tide and then finally a helpful current (despite the tragedy of a swimmer dying), the river turned out to be the easiest part of the day. Current downstream leading to personal swim records aplenty before heat on a rolling hilly bike course, and a very challenging run course more than making up for the swim. Only 1 runner including the pros finished the marathon portion under 3 hrs. That’s unheard of for a championship event let alone a field full of this many pros.

The most challenging by far was the run, specifically the hills in along the palisades cliffs in New Jersey. The most breathtaking part was seeing the city in the distance while crossing the bridge, knowing you were running home to the Upper West Side with less than 10 miles to go. Most motivating was listening to a fireman who was hit by a bus some years prior fighting to recover and completing the race, not to mention seeing someone do the entire race holding a US flag with 9/11 victim names on it. In addition the countless volunteers and fans waving to the end. A memory that will not be forgotten. All in all, a great day for many competitors, fans, friends, and family.

Registration for the 2013 event was suspended by the World Triathlon Council, so who knows if this will be the last full Ironman run in NYC, but a moment for all Upper West Siders to enjoy as it finished in Riverside park at 81st. Despite amplified sound being cut at 10pm, the crowds were large and personal “You are an Ironman” was delivered with a handshake rather than a speaker.

All photos courtesy of Thomas Hudson. In the photo below, Hudson is the guy with the medal around his neck.

Share this article:
SUPPORT THE RAG

Leave a Comment

Our hope is that the comment section will provide a forum for meaningful, respectful, informative, and humorous discussions among neighbors, factual and relevant to the article that is the subject of the comment. We hope that more of our readers will join in and share their opinions, insights, and expertise. Your email address will not be published. Please limit comments to 100 words and keep them civil. We delete comments that don’t adhere to community guidelines.
Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

YOU MIGHT LIKE...

The Riverside Park Goats Are Returning: What to Know
ABSURDITY

The Riverside Park Goats Are Returning: What to Know

June 23, 2025 | 11:08 AM
Here Is How Upper West Siders Voted in the 2024 Presidential Election: Data
NEWS

Monday Bulletin: Yacht Crash on Hudson River Injures Dozens; Teen Hit by Lightning in Central Park Speaks Out; Former Columbia Student Released by ICE; Tuesday’s UWS Primary Details

June 23, 2025 | 8:04 AM
Previous Post

WEST SIDE SUMMER FAIR ON SATURDAY

Next Post

AFTER BLIND LAWYER GETS HIT BY A BIKE IN CENTRAL PARK, POLICE PLAN TO CRACK DOWN

this week's events image
Next Post
AFTER BLIND LAWYER GETS HIT BY A BIKE IN CENTRAL PARK, POLICE PLAN TO CRACK DOWN

AFTER BLIND LAWYER GETS HIT BY A BIKE IN CENTRAL PARK, POLICE PLAN TO CRACK DOWN

MARIO'S GOURMET DELI SHUT DOWN BY HEALTH DEPARTMENT

MORNING BULLETIN: SAFETY EMPHASIS COULD DELAY FOOD DELIVERIES, MANSION SELLS AT DISCOUNT

MORNING BULLETIN: SAFETY EMPHASIS COULD DELAY FOOD DELIVERIES, MANSION SELLS AT DISCOUNT

  • ABOUT US
  • CONTACT US
  • NEWSLETTER
  • WSR MERCH!
  • ADVERTISE
  • EVENTS
  • PRIVACY POLICY
  • TERMS OF USE
  • SITE MAP
Site design by RLDGROUP

© 2025 West Side Rag | All rights reserved.

No Result
View All Result
  • TOP NEWS
  • THIS WEEK’S EVENTS
  • OPEN/CLOSED
  • FOOD
  • SCHOOLS
  • OUTDOORS
  • REAL ESTATE
  • ART & CULTURE
  • POLITICS
  • COLUMNS
  • CRIME
  • HISTORY
  • ABSURDITY
  • ABOUT
    • OUR STORY
    • CONTRIBUTORS
    • CONTACT US
  • WSR SHOP

© 2025 West Side Rag | All rights reserved.