Bryn Kylie

Ironman Lake Placid, you were a dream.

If you had asked me a few months ago what I thought I could do on this course, I never would’ve given you a time. My goal was simple: cross the finish line, smile as much as possible, and enjoy every second of getting to race the course I’d dreamed about for so many years.

When people talked about A, B, and C goals, even my A goal was 13 hours. Everyone kept reminding me how hard Lake Placid is, and they were right. But somewhere along the way, I stopped racing the clock and started racing for something much bigger.

I stood on these same course as a 9-year-old little girl, cheering for my parents for hours in the pouring rain. I thought they were superheroes then… and I still do now. Coming back to finish the very race that made me fall in love with this sport is something I’ll never be able to put into words.

More than anything, this training block taught me balance. We were only home two weekends the entire time, but I made a promise to myself that I wouldn’t put life on hold. I said yes to the trips, the dinners,the celebrations, and the people I love. My number one priority never changed: spending time with people who make me a better person.

And to my parents…

Thank you for showing me what perseverance looks like long before I ever understood it. Thank you for believing in me on the days I didn’t believe in myself. You taught me that we can do hard things, that we should always shoot for the stars, and that the finish line is never just about the race.

I hope you know that every finish line I cross has a little bit of you in it.

I love you both more than words can ever say, and I promise I’ll spend my life trying to make you as proud as you’ve always made me.

Forever grateful for this life🤍