Catching Up with Angela After Kona
October 17, 2018
Kalyn Weber
We had a chance to catch up with founder, Angela Naeth, after her incredible performance at the 2018 Ironman World Championships. If you haven’t been following along: Angela, a pro-triathlete and multiple Ironman/70.3 Champion, was recently diagnosed Lyme Disease. The illness took a serious toll on her ability to train and race. Earlier this year, Angela could barely able to walk... much less swim-bike-run 140.6 miles to complete a Ironman event. But our fearless leader made pretty miraculous comeback, racing in 4 Ironman events plus several 70.3s in 2018 to qualify for the World Championship in Kona. After such an intense season, it was hard to speculate how Angela would fare on the Big Island. Spoiler alert: She crushed it, finishing 8th best in the world in the most competitive field the sport has seen.
Here's our conversation with the legend herself.
IRLAG: What were your expectations going into Ironman World Championships?
AN: I had no expectations of myself. I really wanted to see what I could do on race day, and take in the experience as a whole. Physically speaking, I was in no position to race for the podium. But based on the training that I have done lately, I thought could do fairly well. What would that look like? I had no idea.
I really just wanted to honor everybody who has supported me along the way. I am so grateful for the people in my life who have supported me in getting back on my feet, both literally and figuratively. No matter what happened, I was going to enjoy the experience and all the magic and energy that takes places at a World Championship event.
IRLAG: Most of us just know the Ironman Tracker version of the race itself. Can you walk us through how the day went for you?
AN: The race was fun!! I actually love the heat, humidity, wind that is typical on the Big Island! This year was a little bit of an anomaly but it was still a challenging race.
The swim was great for me; no issues and I came out of the water in good position. The bike is where I knew I could really make up a lot of ground. On the bike course I just set out to do what I do best: ride hard. Climbing to Hawi, I was in a position of the front of the group. Three of us tried to push the pace down back to the Queen K. Once we got on it, I led the pack and tried my best to make a gap from the group of ladies behind me.
Onto the run, I really had no idea what I was capable of as that is the discipline that has been most affected my by Lyme Disease. I was patient and when I had 6 miles left I was running stride for stride with Corinne Abraham. My boyfriend/coach yelled at me for these closing miles and told me to “go for broke.” I managed to make a gap and held it to the finish. I believe I managed to negative split the run, which doesn't happen too often, for an 8thplace finish. Ecstatic.
IRLAG: What does an 8th place finish at IMWC mean for you?
AN: Honestly, I just smile. I've been through a lot these past few years - from divorce, to an undiagnosed broken foot, to surgeries and infection from surgeries, and most now recently Lyme and the other co-infections. After all of that, I really am just so grateful. Getting to race Kona is dream for so many of us triathletes (pros included!): I was thrilled to even be on the start line. Putting together a great race and finishing 8thbest in the world was a moment I lived for.
It’s been so amazing to have the support crew I had and I really felt we all finished that race together. I know I would never have crossed that line how I did without the support of my friends, the IRACELIKEAGIRL team, my boyfriend, my manager, my doctors, and family.
IRLAG: Wow! So awesome. We loved feeling like we were there with you as well! Are you able to give us a sneak peak at what's next?
AN: Ah! Currently in Maui and LOVING it. I am going to race another 70.3 and am considering another Ironman this fall. We are going to see how these next few weeks go to decide So far, I feel great and alive.
Outside of racing myself, I’m going to continue to raise awareness for Lyme Disease. I’ve been so humbled by the number of people who have reached out to me to let me know that I’ve played some role in helping them advocate for themselves in their diagnosis.
And of course, I'm will support my coached athletes and the IRACELIKEAGIRL community as much as possible. Founding IRACELIKEAGIRL has changed my life for the better and it’s been such an honor to work more closely with this crew. I’m excited for what 2019 will bring!