What have you gotten yourself into?
“What have you gotten yourself into?” was how my dad started our conversation to finalize plans to visit for his birthday as a side road trip adventure that would finish with an olympic length triathlon in New York’s Finger Lakes. In any other family, this might have sounded accusatory, like an army of federal agents had busted down the door to arrest me for masterminding an international crime syndicate. But in my family, sarcasm is a second language, it’s how we show love. Or at least, that’s what I’ve always told myself.
“Don’t worry, it’s an Olympic-length tri,” I reassured him. “Only 1 mile swim, 40K bike, and a 10K run. Piece of cake.” I added, downplaying the challenging endurance event. No need to worry him. When I’m visiting and go out to see family and friends, he still waits up—pretending he’s not—until I’m safely in bed just like when I was 16 and borrowing the Cadillac.
While triathlons are nothing new for my husband and me, doing one in the Finger Lakes definitely was. My husband, Ramiro, found a highly-rated triathlon at Canandaigua Lake, happening the weekend after Labor Day. Conveniently, my dad’s birthday was Labor Day weekend, and Pittsburgh, where he lives isn’t too far from Canandaigua. Sure, driving straight to the Finger Lakes from suburban Washington would have been easier, but showing up unexpectedly for birthdays and random events is another way my family shows love. Plus, as an added bonus, Niagara Falls was almost smack in between the two destinations. Ramiro had never seen the Falls, and I hadn’t been there since I was eight, so we decided to make it one giant road trip.
The visit with my dad was pretty typical, though this time we had the added challenge of juggling visits with the whole family. Now that all four of my nephews are out on their own, coordinating schedules has become a bit of an Olympic event in itself. My brother and his wife could only meet on Wednesday because they spent Labor Day in the Caribbean. On top of that, Ramiro and I had to squeeze in work while managing the last crucial week of light training—better known as tapering—before the triathlon.
Don’t Mess with Mother Nature
After a week in Pittsburgh, our original plan was to dip in and out of Niagara Falls on Friday. However, a cold front promising rain that day made us rethink the timing. Thursday was expected to be an unusually hot and sunny day for early September—especially by Pennsylvania and Canada standards—with temperatures hitting 84°F. Seizing the opportunity to enjoy the summer-like weather, we left bright and early Thursday, aiming to make the most of the day. A smooth, traffic-free three-hour drive brought us to the Marriott Fallsview, which truly lived up to its name, offering breathtaking views of the Falls from every angle.
We took full advantage of the sunshine. Ramiro and I dove into Niagara Falls—well, not literally. As tempting as the cool water would have been, we decided to start with a more sensible option: the Skylon Tower. From the top, we were treated to breathtaking views of the Falls, with both the American and Canadian (Horseshoe) sides roaring below us.
Naturally, we played the role of typical tourists, posing for the cheesy green screen photos on offer at the tower. Yes, the ones where you look like you’re going over the Falls in a barrel thanks to questionable Photoshop magic—but how could we resist?
Departing the Skylon, we strolled along the well-manicured Queen Victoria Park, where the views of the Falls and continuous rainbows were nothing short of spectacular. An added bonus: periodic misting from the Horseshoe Falls drifted through the air, keeping us cool. Of course, light mist wasn’t enough for us, so we decided to get even closer via the Journey Behind the Falls tour. There’s something magical about standing behind that powerful wall of water—feeling the spray and realizing just how powerless we are against mother nature. After a thorough soaking and a back-row seat to one of nature’s biggest shows, we rode the Falls Incline Railway back up to the hotel to change for dinner.
I’ll admit, I’m a sucker for any restaurant named after a movie, especially one tucked into the back of a hotel parking lot. So naturally, My Cousin Vinny the Restaurant called to me like a beacon of cinematic nostalgia. The food? Classic Italian comfort—exactly what you’d expect from a place with such a cheeky name. After stuffing ourselves with pasta and reminiscing about the film, we decided to cap off the night with one final ascent up the Skylon Tower. This time, we were treated to a completely different view—Niagara Falls lit up in a dazzling display of colors, thanks to the giant spotlights on the Canadian side. The combination of food, film references, and the always-in-season 10 PM fireworks show was the perfect ending to a very long day.
Men of the Mist
Friday morning, we had booked the Niagara River Cruise—rain or shine. Luckily, it was still mostly shine, thanks to the cold front holding off, at least for the moment. We strolled along Queen Victoria Park again, soaking in the early morning views as we made our way to the boat launch.
Once aboard, the boat skimmed past the American Falls, offering us a front-row seat to the crashing water before heading straight for the mighty Canadian Falls. Careening headlong into the heart of the horseshoe, the boat plunged into the mist in a dramatic display of defiance. For a moment, it seemed like the vessel was determined to challenge Mother Nature herself. But, of course, Mother had other plans. As powerful waves and mist engulfed us, it became clear who was really in charge. The boat, now just a tiny ripple in the wake of her power, admitted defeat, the Capitan ferried us back to the docks—thoroughly drenched and in awe of nature’s strength.
After sufficiently drying off in our hotel and soaking in the last views of the Falls, we departed Niagara, programming the Tesla’s GPS to Canandaigua Lake, managing to stay one step ahead of the advancing cold front. Checking into the Canandaigua Hilton after the 2-hour drive, we indulged in a relaxing afternoon in the pool and jacuzzi, keeping an eye on the horizon as the powerful storms finally caught up with us. Watching the dark clouds roll in while soaking in the hot tub was an oddly peaceful way to prepare for the triathlon ahead.
“I wonder what the cold front will mean for the triathlon on Sunday,” Ramiro mused aloud, his voice rising above the bubbling jacuzzi waters. I had been thinking the same thing, but with the temperature still sitting at a balmy 85°, I couldn’t imagine how much of a difference the cold front could actually make. How much could things possibly change?
Last Chance
Saturday was our only day to explore the region, and also our last chance for a light workout before the triathlon. Winds were picking up but the cold front hadn’t fully passed, temperatures were in the mid-70s, mostly sunny skies overhead. We decided to make the most of it by starting with a hearty breakfast in the village, followed by a scenic bike ride through the gentle, rolling hills around the lake to warm up our legs. Rounding out our taper and further loosening our muscles, we finished with a relaxing yoga session, stretching and mentally preparing for the big day ahead.
The Finger Lakes, formed by melting glaciers around 10,000 years ago, are, in a way, the perfect hand of fate. Geologically, they are remarkable, carved out by glaciers retreating during the last Ice Age, leaving behind deep, narrow lakes that resemble fingers. On a map or from the air, they appear as an upside down hand, fingers spread, as though trying to gently push Pennsylvania away. They span central New York state and are known for their beauty and pristine preservation. Each lake has its own unique shape and personality, from the wider, more open expanse of Seneca Lake to the graceful curves of Canandaigua, the region invites exploration.
Canandaigua Village, a charming town nestled on the shores of Canandaigua Lake, holds a significant place in American history, particularly in the fight for women’s rights. It was here, in 1873, that Susan B. Anthony was famously put on trial for illegally voting in the 1872 presidential election. Despite being convicted and fined $100—a substantial amount at the time—Anthony defiantly refused to pay, standing firm in her belief that women had the constitutional right to vote. Her trial in Canandaigua became a pivotal moment in the women’s suffrage movement, symbolizing her unwavering dedication to equality and justice. Today, the town remains a reminder of that historic defiance, with its picturesque streets and historic landmarks bearing witness to the fight for women’s rights.
The Main Event
“Okay, we need to rethink our transition setup strategy,” I said, mildly shocked as I checked the weather 5 AM Sunday morning. It was only 42° outside with 20 mph sustained winds. With transition closing an hour before the race, the thought of standing around in a swimsuit in the crisp, wildly blowing wind wasn’t exactly appealing. Thankfully, the transition area was conveniently located in the hotel parking lot, which gave us some unique options.
“Here’s the new plan,” I continued. “We’ll pop outside and quickly set up transition in our pajamas—just the biking and running gear. Then we’ll head back to the warmth of our room to get ready for the swim. Five minutes before the National Anthem, we’ll join everyone at the swim start.”
The plan worked perfectly. We entered the 65° water to start the race, which felt like the hotel’s jacuzzi compared to the air. The race itself went well too—I finished 7th, and Ramiro came in 14th overall in the swim. Nothing quite like cold water to kick your motivation into high gear!
We both performed solidly on the bike, though the ride was tough. Sustained 20 mph winds seemed determined to hit us head-on during every uphill climb. Despite taking the time to dry off completely in transition between the swim and bike, my feet were so cold after biking that I thought they were wet. Nope, just frozen solid. If I’d had an espresso machine in transition, I probably would’ve doubled my time there just trying to thaw out!
The winds were so strong that we could even see the impact on our split times during the run. It was a double-loop course—meaning Olympic distance competitors had to run it twice while the sprint athletes enjoyed complimentary local brews—straight into the wind for the first half of each loop. As for my run? Let’s just say my pace is legendarily slow. I’m pretty sure some of the spectators were walking faster than me.
Thankfully, the wind shifted in our favor for the final stretch toward the finish line. We’re not exactly known for our photogenic finishes, but this year we were determined to cross that line without looking like we were a breath away from death’s door.
All in all, the triathlon was a challenging but thoroughly enjoyable experience. The Finger Lakes have officially earned a spot on our “must-return” list—though next time, we might trade the race gear for some wine glasses and explore the region’s well-known vineyards. We were more than satisfied with our performance and had plenty to celebrate as we embarked on the 6.5-hour drive back to Washington. The scenic route through rural New York and Pennsylvania gave us plenty of time to rehash the highlights of our road trip: celebrating Dad’s birthday, marveling at Niagara Falls, and still managing to crush a tough endurance event. Not a bad way to wrap up a whirlwind adventure!
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