TEMPE, AZ (AZFamily) — The risk of rain Saturday night into Sunday morning had Arizona Ironman competitors on edge, fearing that runoff into Tempe Town Lake could impact bacteria levels and water temperature and potentially the race’s swim portion.
Athletes train for months, even years, to tackle an Ironman. Competitors are hoping the swim goes off without a hitch. But for one racer, overcoming obstacles is familiar territory.
The word “impossible” makes Jane Lavell laugh. “Haha right? I couldn’t think of anything else, apparently,” Lavell said. said.
She said the word stems from her line of work. She helps kids with scoliosis and reduces the symptoms without bracing or surgery. She said her patients are doing what people call the impossible. That doubt is what inspires her.
“When I turned 50, I needed to choose something that I think is impossible,” Lavell said.
She is racing in the Arizona Ironman, working toward the possible. “I’ve been trying to for six years now and this is my sixth attempt,” Lavell said.
Each race for Lavell has been filled with its own unexpected challenges. “One year was due to a hamstring cramp and the other was the rolling start in the water,” Lavell said. “Every year, there was something that was a surprise to me.”
This year, overnight rain just before the swim portion has raised fears that the event could be impacted. “There was concern online,” Lavell said. “If it does, we will do the bike and run.”
At 60 years old, she is reminded of the 140.6-mile challenge but is ready to compete for those watching back home, her family and her patients.
“It makes me not want to stop,” Lavell said. “It means I have to finish. I will do the impossible.”
Thousands of people are set to race this weekend in the last Arizona Ironman. Ironman officials said the event is ending due to significant construction and growth in the Phoenix–Tempe area, which has made it increasingly difficult to create a safe and viable bike course.
Arizona’s Family reached out to Ironman Arizona about when they would cancel the swim portion and what constitutes a cancellation.
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