Race Coverage

"Run the Mile You're in"...

Friday, 25 September 2026 00:10

By Cami Eckhoff

Madison 70.3 Race Recap ~ “He is more than able” and “run the mile you’re in.” Two things that kept popping into my mind throughout the entire race!

Saturday was an incredible experience! As always, the volunteers and spectators make such a huge difference, and having Jeff, Patti, Rachel, and Jodi there cheering brought so much extra love and energy! I can’t thank them enough 

And to Meghan, my sweet friend who instigated this whole Ironman journey, I’m beyond grateful. Taking in another race together was so special 

The swim ~ I enjoyed the comfortable pace, water temperature, and most importantly, my shoulder hanging in there! It’s been giving me trouble since increasing my swim volume when I couldn’t run much this past month. 

A bonus was a beautiful rainbow off in the distance I saw every breath to my right side! My goal for the 1.2 miles was under 30 minutes, and I came in at 29:07.

Running up the 3 level helix lined with cheering spectators into transition was one of my favorite parts of the day! I couldn’t stop smiling! I got in and out of T1 as quickly as I could and headed out on the bike.

The bike was fun, challenging, and engaging, with plenty of elevation and beautiful scenery. It actually went by pretty quickly! Instead of counting up to 56 miles like I usually would, I counted down the miles in groups of 10, and I think that really helped. I nailed my nutrition and loved having the extra bottles of Precision Hydration at the aid stations.

Despite my bike computer going into sleep mode every five seconds and having to rely on my watch for speed and average watts, I hit my normalized power goal and just barely snuck in under my time goal of 2:34–2:37. I came in at 2:36:57! We finished the ride up the helix and into the parking garage, and I tried to get out of T2 as quickly as I could!

The run ~ this was the part of the race I was most nervous about. I had run very little the past four weeks while dealing with a bad case of posterior tibialis tendinitis, and I was coming off a hilly bike ride.

With the two-loop course, I got to see my favorite fans and all kinds of spectators throughout the run, which was just the best! I set out to run around a 7:15 pace, and although it felt uncomfortably comfortable, I just kept reminding myself- run the mile you’re in. Don’t look too far ahead, and don’t worry about what’s behind you.

I held pretty consistently for nine miles, and then the struggle bus began! 

The last mile was the toughest, almost completely uphill!!! Thankfully, my ankle was almost a non-issue, and I managed to finish the half marathon in 1:35:31.

Overall time: 4:48:12

1st place age group

2nd place overall female 

70.3 World Championship Slot to Chattanooga next August

This race far exceeded my expectations and proved even more that “He is more than able.”

My heart is so full of gratitude ~ grateful for the support of friends and family, grateful to be able to race, and grateful for continued health on this cancer journey. There is still so much I can’t control, but I can choose to trust Him with it all.

Ephesians 3:20

“Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us.”