Joint Force Command Naples
LANZAROTE, Canary Islands Spain – A U.S. Air Force non-commissioned officer and Canton Ohio native competed in the Ironman Competition in Lanzarote, Canary Islands, Spain, May 22.
The Ironman Competition is the toughest triathlon in the world comprised of a 2.36-mile swim, 111.8-mile bike race, and a 26.2-mile marathon. Located 75 miles off the west coast of Africa, the Lanzarote Ironman Competition is advertised by Ironman to be the toughest Ironman in the world.
Staff Sgt. Jessica Pigott, NATO Joint Force Command Naples Travel Management Office technician trained up to 21 hours a week for
The Ironman Competition is the toughest triathlon in the world comprised of a 2.36-mile swim, 111.8-mile bike race, and a 26.2-mile marathon. Located 75 miles off the west coast of Africa, the Lanzarote Ironman Competition is advertised by Ironman to be the toughest Ironman in the world.
Staff Sgt. Jessica Pigott, NATO Joint Force Command Naples Travel Management Office technician trained up to 21 hours a week for
11 months to prepare for the Ironman Competition. This was her second Ironman competition in less than a year.
Joining her from JFC Naples was a fellow Air Force NCO, Master Sgt. Kevin Labrie.
“What inspires me to compete is that I like to see how much I can push my body and see how far it can go,” said the 110-pound athlete who stands at 5 feet and 2 inches. “Once you set the bar then you just keep on improving on that, it’s a great motivational tool.”
“We were excited after we completed the Ironman Competition in Austria last year,” said Pigott. “Kevin and I really wanted to do another competition so we decided to do the toughest Ironman Competition in the world.
” Her training routine consisted of two component workouts a day. She started working out seven hours a week and gradually increased her routine to 21 hours weekly. She swam in the morning and either ran or biked during the hottest part of the day.
“I also included brick workouts consisting of biking then running immediately afterwards to get my body use to the level of endurance required,” said Pigott.
The Lanzarote Ironman posed even more challenges due to the extreme heat.
“We arrived on the island four days prior to get use to the climate and chill out after all the registration/bike-bag check-in were complete,” said Pigott.
Even though she trained in the heat of Naples Italy and arrived in Lanzarote several days before the competition, the weather was challenging.
“This year was brutal,” she said. “Last year wasn’t as challenging. The weather plays a big factor in the level of difficulty. The course was also more intense. There were more hills, more wind and more heat this year. It was just brutal.
” After each stage of the race, competitors advance to a transition area to prepare for the next stage of the competition. Each stage of the competition has cut-off times. The deadline to finish the entire competition is 17 hours.
The first stage of the competition was the 2.36-mile ocean swim. The swim started at 7 a.m. and consisted of two laps off the coast of Playa Grande. The athletes ran 20 meters on the beach between laps.
“I felt it was smarter to start in the back of the crowd so you don't get beat up – kicked, punched, goggles and swim cap kicked off,” said Pigott. “You have people running into you, you are running into people and all we wanted to do was stay on the line so we didn't have to sight.”
The second stage of the completion was the 111.8-mile bike race around the perimeter of the island under the searing heat of the sun. The route boasts a 2,551-meter climb with strongcross winds.
“I was already tired when I hit the killer climb,” said Pigott. “It’s a good thing there was a fantastic view because that was the only thing that kept me going. We did a 20-kilometer climb with the wind in our face the whole time.”
Even though Pigott wore UV protection sleeves in addition to sunscreen the intensity of the sun soon took effect.
“After awhile I noticed the little patch on my arms was starting to burn,” said Pigott. “I guess being on the bike for over eight hours, the sun protection you put on tends to sweat off.”
The final stage of the race was the full marathon.
“The course is three laps down and back total,” said Pigott. “The first lap down and back was the longest and it went all the way down past the flight line and back. It seems like it took forever but there were nice things to look at on the beach and it was nice to see other people running the other way because you then knew you weren't the last to finish!”
“We walked through every aid-water station but after the half point my body couldn't take the walking and starting back up to run anymore it just hurt too much,” she said.
According to the official Lanzarote Ironman Competition Web site, 1,500 athletes’ competed, but only 1,284 athletes crossed the finish line. The Ironman Web site at www.ironmanlanzarote.com boasts the competition is “[a]n unrivalled test of strength, character and mind-body excellence. Normal limits do not apply.”
For anyone interested in competing in an Ironman Competition, Pigott offers some sage advice.
“If you are interested in doing one you should already have a century bike ride or marathon under your belt,” she said. “You need to have a certain type of discipline to be able to do this kind of endurance sport.”
In addition to her Ironman training, Pigott also teaches an Ultimate Abs class twice a week at JFC Naples.
“She’s an excellent instructor,” said Staff Sgt. Yolanda Pollack, JFC Naples Community Activity Support Staff Assistant. “Her class is tough. I really admire her.” Pigott plans to compete in the Ironman European World Championship held in Frankfurt Germany, July 2011.
Joining her from JFC Naples was a fellow Air Force NCO, Master Sgt. Kevin Labrie.
“What inspires me to compete is that I like to see how much I can push my body and see how far it can go,” said the 110-pound athlete who stands at 5 feet and 2 inches. “Once you set the bar then you just keep on improving on that, it’s a great motivational tool.”
“We were excited after we completed the Ironman Competition in Austria last year,” said Pigott. “Kevin and I really wanted to do another competition so we decided to do the toughest Ironman Competition in the world.
” Her training routine consisted of two component workouts a day. She started working out seven hours a week and gradually increased her routine to 21 hours weekly. She swam in the morning and either ran or biked during the hottest part of the day.
“I also included brick workouts consisting of biking then running immediately afterwards to get my body use to the level of endurance required,” said Pigott.
The Lanzarote Ironman posed even more challenges due to the extreme heat.
“We arrived on the island four days prior to get use to the climate and chill out after all the registration/bike-bag check-in were complete,” said Pigott.
Even though she trained in the heat of Naples Italy and arrived in Lanzarote several days before the competition, the weather was challenging.
“This year was brutal,” she said. “Last year wasn’t as challenging. The weather plays a big factor in the level of difficulty. The course was also more intense. There were more hills, more wind and more heat this year. It was just brutal.
” After each stage of the race, competitors advance to a transition area to prepare for the next stage of the competition. Each stage of the competition has cut-off times. The deadline to finish the entire competition is 17 hours.
The first stage of the competition was the 2.36-mile ocean swim. The swim started at 7 a.m. and consisted of two laps off the coast of Playa Grande. The athletes ran 20 meters on the beach between laps.
“I felt it was smarter to start in the back of the crowd so you don't get beat up – kicked, punched, goggles and swim cap kicked off,” said Pigott. “You have people running into you, you are running into people and all we wanted to do was stay on the line so we didn't have to sight.”
The second stage of the completion was the 111.8-mile bike race around the perimeter of the island under the searing heat of the sun. The route boasts a 2,551-meter climb with strongcross winds.
“I was already tired when I hit the killer climb,” said Pigott. “It’s a good thing there was a fantastic view because that was the only thing that kept me going. We did a 20-kilometer climb with the wind in our face the whole time.”
Even though Pigott wore UV protection sleeves in addition to sunscreen the intensity of the sun soon took effect.
“After awhile I noticed the little patch on my arms was starting to burn,” said Pigott. “I guess being on the bike for over eight hours, the sun protection you put on tends to sweat off.”
The final stage of the race was the full marathon.
“The course is three laps down and back total,” said Pigott. “The first lap down and back was the longest and it went all the way down past the flight line and back. It seems like it took forever but there were nice things to look at on the beach and it was nice to see other people running the other way because you then knew you weren't the last to finish!”
“We walked through every aid-water station but after the half point my body couldn't take the walking and starting back up to run anymore it just hurt too much,” she said.
According to the official Lanzarote Ironman Competition Web site, 1,500 athletes’ competed, but only 1,284 athletes crossed the finish line. The Ironman Web site at www.ironmanlanzarote.com boasts the competition is “[a]n unrivalled test of strength, character and mind-body excellence. Normal limits do not apply.”
For anyone interested in competing in an Ironman Competition, Pigott offers some sage advice.
“If you are interested in doing one you should already have a century bike ride or marathon under your belt,” she said. “You need to have a certain type of discipline to be able to do this kind of endurance sport.”
In addition to her Ironman training, Pigott also teaches an Ultimate Abs class twice a week at JFC Naples.
“She’s an excellent instructor,” said Staff Sgt. Yolanda Pollack, JFC Naples Community Activity Support Staff Assistant. “Her class is tough. I really admire her.” Pigott plans to compete in the Ironman European World Championship held in Frankfurt Germany, July 2011.
Stumble It!
