Lake Placid will always have a certain place in my heart as it should in every American’s heart.  Before becoming the host city for Ironman USA in 1999, it was the host city for both the 1932 and 1980 winter Olympic Games. It was the site of the US hockey team’s dramatic victory over the Russian team, and the very transition area and finish line: the speed-skating oval was the very sacred ground on which Eric Heiden swept the venue with 5 Gold medals.  Heiden later on continued his athletic career in cycling where he became the US Pro National Champion and competed in the Tour de France with the USA’s pioneer 7-11 team. 

	“	It was great to have the opportunity to cheer on so many of my friends and training partners -- a courtesy I do not often have the chance to repay.”
		— Arland Macaseib

So every time I set foot on the oval, weather it be with my clap skates on a snowy January morning or 90 degree sun in July, I always take time to remind myself of the history of this place.  The moment I heard that Lake Placid was going to be a host city for Ironman, I immediately jumped at the opportunity in 1999.   It was a wonderful race with beautiful scenery and even though I wound wind up hitting the wall, it was still a great pleasure to swim in Mirror Lake, ride past Whiteface Mountain, run past the Ski Jump and conclude my 140.6 mile adventure on the Olympic Oval.   Since then I have been concentrating on short course triathlon racing but the lure of coming to Lake Placid in the summer still overcomes me as I have come back to watch the race twice.

Especially now since I have been sidelined by a couple of broken ribs and a broken collar bone, at best I can contribute to triathlon as a spectator and fan.  Competing in Ironman, and watching Ironman gives you two completely different perspectives.  It was great to have the opportunity to cheer on so many of my friends and training partners - a courtesy I do not often have the chance to repay.  It was great to see the determination of so many people that I know where hurting but still persevered to the finish line.   Also acts of courage like Paul Martin, and amputee athlete who is originally from NJ, finished the race in a very respectable time, beating many able bodied athletes. And the wheel chair athlete from Hawaii, (whose name escapes me now) who had to hand-crank, and push his way up all those tremendous Adirondack hills.