Coeur d'Alene Triathlon - TriathlonOlympic

I started in the 3rd and final wave. It was a 20 min delay from the gun. The first swimmer was out before we started! I let the majority of the crowd go first. I was able to experience getting bumped and kicked without being killed. Felt pretty good in the water. I focused on keeping a rhythm and not on speed. After the last buoy I noticed that there were 3 kayaks next to me. I figured either they were about to harpoon me or I was the last swimmer. I stopped and asked if I was last. The guy said "No, you aren't last. You can still win this thing!" I've never laughed underwater before.

I need some more "full contact" swim practice so I can start at the front of the wave. Also, I need to go faster. Duh.

Struggled with the timing chip and suit around my left ankle. I've never worn a timing chip there and frankly forgot about it until my suit was stuck on my ankle. Still don't have tri shoes so it took time to get my socks and shoes on. It sure din't seem like 4 minutes.

Take off timing chip before removing wetsuit? Use tri shoes w/o socks.

This bike leg was a beast. The course description says "a challenging uphill course." It sure fit the bill. It is almost all uphill, and not little hills either. Several other participants came up to me and warned me about the bike portion. I guess I looked like someone who needed warned. One lady asked how many times I had ridden the course. When I said "none" she replied with crooked eyebrows and said "Good luck." Awesome. On one really steep portion I glanced at the GPS. 2.5 mph! The short decent portion had just been chip sealed. They put up signs warning bikes to go slow. It was nerve-racking but I was trying desperately to make up some time.
This was the first time I've really battled with the idea of a DNF. That voice is FREAKING LOUD when you are all alone and climbing a mountain at 2.5mph. If i'm proud of anything I did at this race it was the fact that I was able to shut down those thoughts and keep climbing.

Practice hills. Lose another 70 lbs.

I felt good about this transition. Both of my boys high fived me just after dismounting. I sure needed that boost. Tri shoes and elastic laces in my running shoes would help make things faster.

use tri shoes and elastic laces.

I started well and felt okay. I settled into my slow but steady pace. Then it happened. I few strange twitches in my quads and BOOM! They cramped and locked up solid. I was stopped dead in my tracks. I had no idea what to do. I tried massaging them but it didn't help. I pulled my right foot up to my butt to stretch my quad then my right hamstring started to spasm. I involuntarily went into a Charley Horse dance. It must have looked hilarious but I was not laughing. I thought my race was over. Eventually I was able to take a few painful steps forward. I looked like Frankenstein taking his first steps. Keep moving I thought. Then I passed the marker for mile two. 5.2 more miles of this!? @$%&*! My muscles finally gave up their protest and jogging resumed. I was now in uncharted territory. I kept pushing but about every 10-15 min. my body seemed to shut down. Not cramp, just shut off. I would walk for a bit then I was able to jog again. It was surreal. Like driving a car that is out of gas. I pushed the pedal to the floor but there was no go left. Is that "the wall?" I've never walked in a race before. It didn't seem to bother me as much as I thought it would. I was happy just to continue. By the last mile I had eliminated the walking. My boys were clanging cow bells and ran me into the finish chute. I MADE IT!

I need to do bricks after more strenuous bike efforts. It's obvious I was not prepared well enough.

A little walking and a post race massage.


Lack of hill training. My weight.


The volunteers were great. The course is beautiful. I had fun and learned a lot.