On Nov. 7, Reilly Walsh was the overall champion at the IRONMAN Florida in Panama City. The course included a 112-mile bike ride with rolling hills and 1,600 feet of elevation gain. Powering his drivetrain was a pre-waxed chain from Vital Bike Chains.
We caught up with Walsh to learn about his race strategy, what motivates his success, and why he chooses Vital Bike Chains.
How did you get started in IRONMAN competitions?
I played division one basketball at NJIT in New Jersey from 2015 to 2020. I graduated mid-covid and was looking for something to keep challenging me as an athlete. I started running and signed up for IRONMAN Maryland in September 2021 on a whim. I didn’t even have a bike. I thought I would sign up for something hard and figure it out along the way. In a race before that I got a minor ankle injury, so Florida 2021 was actually my first full IRONMAN.
How did you do in that first IRONMAN?
I finished first in my age group, which was much better than I expected. I never expected to keep doing IRONMAN races. I thought I’d be one and done. But with my qualification for Kona, everyone encouraged me to keep doing it. I did the St. George IRONMAN in May 2022 as a midyear primer for end-of-the-year Kona. During that race, I had a bike crash around mile 75. I finished the race with a broken arm. It wasn’t the smartest move but proves that you’re capable of more than you think.
How bad was the injury?
I was in a sling for a while, and the following two years were pretty rough. I had residual effects from the crash. Some back and hip issues. January of this year I started to feel good and decided to get back into it. I did a few half IRONMANs but the full is what gets me going. So I thought what better than to go back to where it all started in Florida.
What kept you motivated through your recovery?
There are always going to be some ups and downs, but I just try to stay positive. During my college basketball days, my mother was diagnosed with cancer. We were very present with her during her chemo and battle with cancer. There’s nothing as hard as that. So no matter what the last two years were like, I couldn’t really complain. There are people who go through worse. She’s healthy now and still an inspiration. Both of my parents came for the Florida IRONMAN this year.
What was your strategy for the IRONMAN Florida, particularly the biking segment?
It’s more than a physical challenge when it comes to the distance of full races. It’s a mental battle to see how far you can push yourself. I have a decent amount to lean on when it comes to that. My coaches, Scott Defilippis and Lou Mancuso, told me to be patient. After the swim, it’s easy to get on the bike and be excited to get going. But it’s a long day out there. I shouldn’t push the pace too much and over-exert in the first half of the bike ride. So in that first 56 miles, I didn’t try to push it too hard. You don’t want to go into that red zone too much before you get to the marathon, because that could turn out to be a long day.
How does having a waxed chain from Vital Bike Chains fit into your race strategy?
My first race bike was a Giant I got off Facebook Marketplace. When I knew that I was going to be in the sport for a little bit longer, I upgraded to a Canyon. They’re pretty pricey, so I treat it like gold. I’ve been getting better about keeping everything clean and moving smoothly. That’s how I got into waxed chains and checking for wear. Your chain affects the whole system. You don’t want to wear out these parts too quickly or else it can get pricey to replace drive train components.
Can you feel the difference?
Prior to using the pre-waxed SRAM “RED” chain from Vital Bike Chains, I had a factory chain on my bike. There is a difference for sure as far as the smoothness and how little debris it collects. It’s a worthwhile investment that I’ll keep doing moving forward.
What does routine maintenance look like for your chain?
When you get into the sport, you don’t realize how much maintenance there is for the components. You think, I got a bike and now I’m good to go. With a waxed chain now, it just takes a good wipe after riding to get rid of surface dirt. Having a waxed chain helps because not as much sticks. I also learned about chain checkers from Vital Bike Chains so that I can measure wear and know when to replace my chain.
Have you thought about waxing your own chain?
You know, we thought about it. But it’s a multistep process that you have to learn.
What was your experience ordering from Vital Bike Chains?
When I found Vital Bike Chains, I reached out and the owner, Bill, replied to me within 20 minutes with an answer. When you have someone who’s really supportive of their customers, that means a lot. Bill has a lot of chains available on his website, and I was easily able to find the specific model that my drivetrain uses. I ordered my chain really close to the race. I asked if he could express it, and he said no problem. He actually got it to me in three days. I reached back out to him after the race and let him know how it worked flawlessly. He really knows what he’s doing, and he’s passionate about it.