Coach Amy says: I have been teaching and coaching teenagers for over 20 years so I jumped at the chance to coach Sarah for her first Ironman. I am so glad I did because this young lady works so hard and is a complete ray of sunshine while she is doing it. I can’t tell you how many times in the last few months and especially since Sunday I have said, can you imagine being a freshman in college in the middle of a pandemic and training for Ironman Lake Placid?! The work never seemed to phase Sarah and she was always willing to learn more. This is so well deserved after Sarah and her dad Brian brought so many smiles to peoples faces on Sunday at Ironman Lake Placid.

Her father, Brian says: From an early age, we have known that when Sarah sets her sights on a goal, nothing will stand in her way. At the age of five, she decided that she would do an Ironman when she was 18. This did not happen due to Covid, she finished it this year at the age of 19, and was the youngest female in the race. Crossing the finish line on Sunday night was a highlight of my life. Being there for the culmination of two years of training and anxiety over what race day would bring was truly inspiring. Sarah embodied the Ironman spirit showing grit and grace throughout the day. She had a big smile even though in pain, she thanked every volunteer and encouraged athletes along the course. She truly enjoyed the experience and I could not have been more proud. While Sarah hit this amazing milestone, she could not have done it without Coach Kevin, Coach Amy and the entire T3 community. Thank you for supporting Sarah throughout the day…She is an Ironman!

A:   My name is Sarah Adelson. I live in Wilton NY.

A:   I am 19 years old.

A:   I am a college student; I just finished my freshman year at Binghamton University. I am majoring in biology and am planning to pursue a career in the field of exercise science.

A:   I grew up around the sport of triathlon and participated in some youth programs when I was in elementary school. I just began participating in triathlons again in 2019, I did an Olympic distance that summer.

A:   Amy Farrell has been my coach since March of this year.

A:   My favorite race is Ironman. I have grown up watching this race and the energy that comes from just stepping into Ironman village is so inspiring. When I go to an Ironman event, I am reminded that anything is possible. That’s why I had my sights set on that race since a very young age.

A:   My running sneakers are my favorite piece of triathlon equipment (I just switched to Hokas … highly recommend). The run is my favorite event, I love putting those shoes on after getting off the bike, might be my favorite part of the day.

A:   I was a very average athlete in high school and participated in a few different sports before focusing on triathlons, so I would say finishing Ironman Lake Placid as the youngest female athlete is my career highlight. I would also consider being T3’s August 2021 athlete of the month a career highlight.

A:   I am planning to focus on strength training to get faster on the bike. I am also going to participate in some smaller triathlons in the next year and am planning to train for a marathon next summer.

A:   I want to continue participating in triathlons and I plan to do another full Ironman after I graduate college. I love the triathlon lifestyle and my goal is to continue participating in races, having fun, and encouraging others to do the same.

A:   Oatmeal, pickles, and apples.

A:   Wait what’s an iPod?... just kidding. I have a very eclectic music taste; you’ll find anything from country to pop to rap to classical music on my playlists.

A:   Even if you think something seems crazy or impossible because you’re just starting out, know that you can do anything if you set your mind to it. You can reach the big goals you set if you stay positive, work hard, and listen to your coach. The coaches will tell you to wave to everyone you see when you’re out training and bring kindness to the sport, do that, and then bring that to your race. Cheering on other athletes, thanking volunteers, and keeping a smile on your face keeps the sport fun for you and everyone else.

A:   For long workouts that we might not always want to do, my Dad and I would always say we don’t have to do this, we get to do this. Having a positive attitude is everything, if you go into a workout with a negative mindset the workout will not go well. During my Ironman race this year, when things would start to get tough, I kept saying out loud “I’ve got this” and it helped keep me focused on the finish line. Also, shoutout to Coach Amy, sour patch kids always help.

A:   I really enjoy interval training whether it’s in the water, on the bike, or on the run. I find it to be a very efficient and effective type of exercise.

A:   I want to thank Coach Amy, Coach Crossman, and the entire T3 community for all the support they gave me to help me reach Ironman finish line. I also want to thank the T3 athletes at Ironman Lake Placid that helped calm me down in the shuttle line when I freaked out a little race day morning (Heidi, Mara, and Christian). A final shoutout to all the T3ers that stay late in the T3 tent to get all those late racers to the finish line, I can now say from experience that it really means a lot.