Ironman Coeur d'Alene - TriathlonFull Ironman

Hehe. 2200 people started? So, imagine 2200 people stretched out about 250 yards and 25 people deep. Mike Riley tells us to remember the pain we are about to feel is temporary but pride is forever. Hey, gee thanks Mike! I was pretty calm. That was as soothing as Graham Fraser telling us at the dinner that "Sunday's going to suck for you guys!" Lady sings the national anthem and you can feel emotion rising up from the crowd like a fog. "Boom!" The canon sends us on our way.

Hehe. You remember those 2200 people? Well I'm pretty sure everyone bumped into every other one. I seriously laughed out loud. This was not swimming at all. It was bumper cars, wrestling, a prom date gone bad - but not swimming. After the first 6-700 yards I thought I found space but that closed really fast. I would find some space but it continually closed up on me. At first people seemed pretty civil and tried not to kick you but as the swim went on that civility left. I got a direct hit to the mouth at one point and was very glad I still had all my teeth.

The jostling pretty much happened for the entire swim. I gave me an incredible rush though.

I assume it was because of the crowds but I was disappointed with my swim time. My last few half ironmans I pulled 1:35-1:40/100. On the other hand I didn't feel as if I used much energy getting through the swim.

Wear my wrestling tutu, a mask, and wrestling slippers.

As I ran toward transition I dropped one of my custome ear plugs and walked around in circles looking for it. I found it though. My wetsuit also got hung up on my hand - never had that happen before.

I saw MadCow on my way to my bike. That was the first of my BT sightings of the day.

I loved this course!

Due to my incredibly average swim I got on the bike in a pack of a few hundred people. It seemed like it was wall to wall people everywhere. The first out and back (maybe 10 miles) was fun. People were so close together but couldn't do anything about it so we all started chatting. I was next to some guy with number in the 40s, meaning he was a local, so I asked if he would point out the sights.

Finally we got to the first hill and people dropped back like crazy. Yes!! I was able to stay seated and spin up all the hills on both laps. I felt great on the bike. I was going easy, my HR was in check and I was passing people. Life is great! Best part about the hills on this course was the descents. Very gentle turns instead of hard switch backs so you can pick up tons of speed. You could tell the flatlanders as the were all over the road descending. I rode about an inch inside the center line passing people who couldn't hold their line but still managed to stay off the brakes.

At the start of the second lap I realized it was going to be hotter than I expected and decided to drop the effort down some more (pretty much not getting above my 50x15). First lap was almost mid 19 mph and second was upper 17s).

Last 10 miles I had a new experience - the middle 3 toes on my right foot went numb. I rode about a half dozen rides longer than 6 hours in the past few months and never had that happen. When I got off my bike I had to hobble as there was zero feeling in those toes. Luckily there was a marathon coming up to get them right :(

Took a seat and let the volunteer help me get my stuff out of my bag. Volunteers Rock!

Lets start by saying I can't run. Nope, can't do it. I was very happy with my training in that I was able to stretch my body out to the marathon distance without getting hurt but I did not train hard enough for a marathon after a bike ride.

When I left the change tent I was feeling good about the effort I put in on the bike. I really thought I saved enough for the run. My toes came back to life by the time I hit the run course inflatable so I was ready. I managed to run the first out and back and through town with walking the aid stations and running between. I was starting to realize my stomach was feeling really bad. Looking back now I guess it had shut down. My nutrition plan fell completely apart at mile 6 of the run and I started to do the run walk thing. The more I went the sicker I was feeling. Water didn't help, gatorade and gu probably would be forcibly returned to the volunteers who certainly don't deserve that.

The run/walk went pretty much the same until mile marker 25. I must have been a little disoriented as I couldn't figure out how we were going to be getting from that spot to the finish line in one mile. Part of me wanted to run to the finish but another part wass scared to try as I thought I had more miles ot go. Eventually we turned a corner and I recognized where we were and I took off for the promised land. There were people lining both sides of the street for about 10 blocks before the bleachers. Everyone was going nuts and I could feel a huge smile growing on my face. I was disappointed in my run but at this point all was forgotten. I remembered all the hard work I did to get to this point and started whooping it up with the crowd. The more animated I got the louder they got. It was awesome.

I ran across the line and let the catchers do their job. I sooo much just wanted to lay down right there but they kept me up and got me fixed back up and sent me out to see my family. What a day!

I just need to get stronger, run more, and run faster on hard days.

Kept what was in my stomach in my stomach. Partook in a celebratory champagne toast (just a few sips).


Couer D'Alene is awesome. The area is gorgeous and everyone is incredible. We were very well taken care of. This was a journey of a lifetime and I am so glad I was able to complete it.

Thanks to the BTers I saw. You guys are all awesome people.