Ironman Coeur d'Alene - TriathlonFull Ironman

Although I am still slow after last year I am thrilled with this swim time. I really enjoyed this swim and although the drafting was spotty I was able to hang onto a few feet for a while. Seems like alot of the people around me were having a hard time with the cold. I didn't think it was that bad. I was just so thrilled the water was flat rather than choppy. Things were kind of stop and go for the first few buoys then I went inside the line for awhile and was able to swim until the first turn buoy where it was pretty backed up. After that things opened up and I got my nice slow cadence going and just moved along. Stopped on the beach to have a gel then headed back out. Tried to pick up arm turnover a bit second lap, but wasn't too successful. Just went slow and steady.

I'm really going to get myself to a master's class this fall and try to shave 15 min. off this swim time for next year. I really don't want to put the effort into being smack dab in the middle of the pack but would really like to be a little closer to the back of the mid pack.

I came out of the water and unzipped my suit and took off my caps and goggles. Hit the stippers and ran to my bag then into the tent. When I did my 4 open water swims before this race I was fine in the cold water but got really cold after getting out so I had a plan for getting warmed up. I had put a hand warmer in a stocking cap in my swim to bike bag earlier so I put that on the minute I got seated in the tent. My original plan had been to swim in my tri shorts/sports bra but decided to switch to swim suit because of the cold. I felt pretty warm and was able to talk normally but my hands were pretty useless. Had to have assistance getting dressed which took awhile.

I wish this transition time was shorter, but considering the conditions and having to change everything out, feel pretty good about it.

Really enjoyed this ride. I felt relaxed and strong. There were several times along where I wanted to push it harder and a few times I probably could have but in the back of my mind loomed the marathon coming up and so I just stuck with the plan and kept my HR in check and took in the scenery. Enojyed the hills both loops. English Pt. was a little harder during round 2 for sure. Love my compact double 12/28 cassette. For food my plan was to eat either a gel or part of a power bar ever 1/2 hour. I had a peanutbutter/nutella/jelly sandwich in my T1 bag and managed to eat 1/2 of it before getting to the bike. I had made my first 2 powerbars for the day into little balls and froze them to see if that would help the stickiness - it didn't. Very hard to get apart to eat. Stopped at mile 30 aid station and threw those away and then restocked the bento with 1/2 power bar unwrapped then a gel packet the another bar, etc. This worked well. Anyway, think I over ate a bit on the bike which didn't make a difference until the run start.

I would bring an old water bottle instead of a brand new one so I could toss it and replace the bottles on the fly instead of having to stop and refill. I probably could have skipped one of my 3 stops doing it this way. The other 2 I would have had to do anyway for the porta potties. I don't think I could ever learn to pee on the bike.

Handed the bike to the volunteer and ran to get my bag and into the tent. Took off helmet on way. Changed shirts, put on my skirt, changed socks, put on shoes and headed out.

Nothing.

Started out running with that strange feeling I always have where it seems like I am going so slooow but look at the watch and see I'm doing a 9:30 mile. Anyway ran through downtown and headed out toward the lake. I was feeling really good for the first mile then GI troubles started. Had to stop 2 miles in and use the porta potti then felt better for a bit then had to stop one more time. Thank goodness it wasn't so bad that I had to be thankful for my black tri shorts (note to anyone considering an Ironman - black is the only way to go for your shorts because if your five miles from the finish line and something bad happens you want to be the only one to know about it) I was running really well in spite of the troubles. Got lots of comments on how strong I looked and how good my pace was, etc. Got to the big hill on the first loop and started to run up it like I had planned. About 1/2 way up I decided that walking would be a better idea. Lots of miles left to go and I just didn't want to waste the effort for a couple of minutes time gain. I walked fast up that hill though. No blown up looking walk for me. Ran down the other side. Finished up the first loop as planned. Walked thru every 3rd aid station and ate a gel. Drank water at every one. Could not stand the Perform on the run, yuck. For the second loop I walked thru every other aid station and ate a gel/pretzels. Still felt great. Walked up the hill the second time. Walked a little longer in aid stations on round two as well. Once I hit the top of the hill coming back I started to pick up the pace a bit. When I got to mile 22 and wasn't hitting the wall I picked it up a little more. Had a few people pace off of me which was OK. Got back to the library area and saw my family there. My daughter (10) ran along beside me for a little bit giving me her order for finish line food. No "great job mom, much better than last year" Just "I would like a slice of pizza, chips and a cookie" Oh well. Ran down Sherman making sure to leave enough space between me and the person in front of me for a nice finish photo. Saw lots of people I knew. High fived a bunch. Top of the world feeling.

Nothing. Stuck to the plan. Pushed it when I felt good and backed off when I felt bad.

Got over the finish line and "caught" by a very nice volunteer. He hung onto me until photo op. Didn't feel like I was going to fall over but I guess he'd had a few do that. He got me through the chute to the food area where I stretched a little and got 2 pieces of pizza, 2 cookies and some fruit. My husband and daughter showed up outside the fence and I did sneak her a piece of pizza, but kept the cookies to myself. Had to walk about a mile to the car, stretched there. Got home, ate a bowl of cereal, showered, put some bio-freeze on my legs and headed to bed.


Mostly being too afraid of blowing up. It's a fine line for sure. I always go conservative even when I'm having a good day. Do not ever want a run split that is anywhere near my bike split. Had a perfect day though, really. PR'd 10 minutes and took nearly 3 hours off of last years race. I really worked hard in training this year and gave this distance the respect it deserves. Also lost 24 pounds between Jan. 1 and now which helped alot. Had a really great bunch of bike rides leading up. Stuck with the plan and it paid off. Really enjoyed meeting all the fellow BTer's and can't wait till next year!


Great venue. Great volunteers. And it's really close to my home. Love the bike course and the new run course.
I hope they don't allow quite as many people to sign up next year. 2000 is plenty to start so mabey a 2300 cap instead of 2800. Glad not everyone showed up. Love the women's fitted tech shirt.