FORT DRUM, N.Y. (Aug. 4, 2016) -- The third line of the Warrior Ethos, "I will never quit," is a mantra that Soldiers embrace no matter what task is placed before them.
Sgt. Krysta Waters, pianist and vocalist with the 10th Mountain Division Band, said that it was this mentality -- which she has cultivated throughout her life -- that pushed her to complete the Ironman Triathlon at Lake Placid on July 24.
Waters finished the full 140.6-mile race in 13:16:04. She said that she achieved her personal time goal and stayed disciplined to her race strategy. That meant powering through a 2.4-mile swim, then maintaining a conservative pace on the 112-mile bike course to store enough strength for the full marathon that followed.
"I learned from competing in Ironman Florida that even if I honestly feel good at the beginning of the marathon and a fast pace feels like nothing, I need to hold it back," she said. "The biggest challenge about Lake Placid's course is pacing yourself and keeping on top of your nutrition."
There are decisions to be made while competing that require attention throughout a race.
"I had to pull back the reins on myself, even when people were passing me and I'm tempted to push it a little, because the course demands respect," she said. "You have to be patient. It takes a lot of discipline, but I stuck to my race strategy and ending up passing people on the second loop of the bike and passing a lot of people during the run. My patience paid off, and I was able to finish strong."
Waters said she began training for the event in December, using her road bike on an indoor trainer. She was able to return to the road in February while attending training at the Advanced Leaders Course in Virginia.
"Once I got back to Fort Drum at the end of March, I kept biking outside," she said. "Although it was still freezing, at least it was in the 30s. All of my run training the entire time I did outside, even in negative temperatures. To me, anything is better than being on a treadmill."
She swam at the pools at the post fitness centers and the Watertown YMCA, and she began open-water swims in mid-June. Her routine consisted of two workouts a day, Tuesday through Friday. On Saturdays, Waters would go on a long bike ride followed by a short run, and then a long run on Sundays, with Monday being her rest day.
"That's the only day off you get in all of the training for eight months," she said. "As you progress into the last phase of your training, your Saturday workout will literally take almost all day, and your Sunday workout will take half the day. You have to be very good at time management when training for an Ironman."
Waters said she enjoyed finding new places to run long distances, and she would explore Sackets Harbor, Pillar Point and Chaumont, to name a few.
"Sometimes I would run on the Fort Drum trails during these last couple of months when it was really hot because I needed the shade," she said. "For biking, I love exploring new places as well and would bike mostly in the Adirondacks so I could get enough hill training. My favorite was starting my ride in Harrisville and then taking a dip in the Oswegatchie River after a long workout."
Waters described the training as almost having a second full-time job.
"In addition to being active duty, going to Advanced Leaders Course, my husband (being) deployed for four months and Ironman training, I have also been in grad school this whole time," she said.
Waters is pursuing a master of science in teaching degree in elementary education through the State University of New York at Potsdam, and she attends classes at Jefferson Community College in Watertown.
As difficult as that was, Waters said the biggest challenge she faced during this time was when her father died from a rare and aggressive form of cancer in March. A triathlete and marathoner, he had coached her from a young age, and Waters said she could not believe that could happen to someone so healthy and fit.
"I would go out and train while I was visiting, and he would be so proud of me getting out there and being active," she said. "He loved to hear all about the particular training session I'd completed, especially since he couldn't do any more physical activity."
Her father-in-law helped to create a T-shirt design with a photo of her father to wear during the Ironman.
"My dad was the embodiment of the Ironman spirit and what it stands for, so I couldn't think of a better way to honor him than to do Ironman Lake Placid in his memory," she said.
Her Family wore shirts that read, "In Loving Memory of Jim Waters," and she wore one that read "In Loving Memory of My Dad."
"I got so many compliments and encouraging comments from other athletes out on the course that day," she said. "There were a number of tears throughout the day for me; it was very emotional. I think it helped me in the healing process a little bit though."
She rode one of her father's bikes and wore his biking shoes and gloves during that portion of the race just to keep him close.
"He was there with me in so many ways on race day and throughout my training," she said.
Also cheering her on were her mother, her husband and his Family. She described her husband, Staff Sgt. Curran Schenck, who plays trumpet with the band, as a "Sherpa extraordinaire."
"That is triathlon lingo for the person who is there to help you every step of the way during the race," she said.
She said her husband is also a runner and a great training partner. They both are training for the Wineglass Marathon this October in Corning. Waters, who also plays in the jazz combo and the marching and ceremonial bands, serves as an operations noncommissioned officer. She said she encourages her colleagues to keep up with their fitness goals and is always ready to assist.
"If we are all doing PT together, I like to pump people up and help them believe they can get through whatever they may be struggling with," she said. "When I counsel Soldiers, I always focus on more than just their PT test. I talk to them about diet, water intake, sleep and everything else that aids in your overall fitness and well-being. The Wellness Center is something I also recommend, because it's such a great asset."
Waters said she is constantly pushing herself to find the next challenge, though it would be hard to top an Ironman. She said that the Ironman takes every bit of strength an athlete has to finish it.
"You have to dig deep, I mean really deep, and see what you are truly made of," she said. "That's why I love it. It seems contradictory, but through the pain and pushing yourself to the limit, you really feel alive."
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