Wilmington, NC -  On October 22, 2016 the Ironman North Carolina Beach2Battleship was held in Wilmington, NC and Sea Devil Coach Lori Drake was up to the task.  This race marked her 6th 70.3 half ironman distance race, which consists of a 1.2 mile swim, 56 mile bike, and 13.1 mile run.  "While I consider the sport of triathlons a lifestyle, I also do it in hopes that I can inspire those around me to believe that they can accomplish anything they want with dedication and commitment," commented Drake on why she competes in triathlons.

This is also the fourth year that the Lady Sea Devils women's basketball team has volunteered along the race course while Drake competed in the event. This year the women's basketball team joined Jeff Smith and TOPS Athletics, to oversee the special needs aid station for the full ironman distance participants. The ladies brought energy, smiles, and catered to the needs of others for the entire day.

"My motivation came from my team being along the course, with just 1.1 miles to the finish line I knew I would see my players and I needed to make sure I ran by them with loads of excitement," Drake explained. "The day of an Ironman is something that not everyone wants to go through, but once you realize why you do something like that you will forever inspire and motivate others along the way."

Drake finished the race with a time of 6:14:42, a personal record in the IMNC.  After the race she made it a point to find her players to thank them for being out there for not only her, but for the community of athletes who have put in months and months of training to prepare for their one single day of triumph.