Ironman Coeur d'Alene - TriathlonFull Ironman

Full combat mode the all the way to the second buoy turn..Unreal! Lots of people in front that should have waited in the back were stopping and treading water and yelling... I got sucked into too tight to the first turn and almost lost my goggles, lots of people just floating and doing the frog kick - nice couple of shots to the legs and sides. Second lap was much better, people had cleared out a bit and I had a lot of open water and was able to draft one other swimmer almost the entire second lap..

I started 4th row-dead center and felt it was a good place by looking around on the beach at who was going to be infront of me and behind me... I didn't anticipate the swimmers in front of me struggling so much at the very start. I will likely move further left and take a more inside the markers swim and wait a minute or two after the shot to enter the water...I would most likely make up the time not having to worry about protecting my self and navigating through the masses.

Great transition, got the suit peeled very quickly and changed out side in the grass rather than going into the tent - much quicker and faster. Got my Jersey and helmet on first, next I wiped off the sand on my feet with a small wash cloth, got shoes, sunglasses on, took a small drink of Gatorade and got sunblocked and ran to my bike.

Nothing - I was really happy with my T1 today.

I peed 7x during the bike... This probably accounted for at least 20minutes between dismounting, waiting at the porta-potti and then getting back up to speed. The payoff was no cramps. Nutrition was spot on.. Followed my plan 100% 1 gel pack (GU) every 30minutes - with water immediately aftewards. Gatorade every 30 minutes in between GU intake - with a little water as well.

Nothing,,, I would rather visit the bathroom 7x to pee than to suffer the consequences on the run for not being hydrated.

Very happy with T2 time - I knew right where my Gear Bag was and grabbed it myself. I changed outside again like I had for T1 - and it went much faster and easier with less people. Taped my right foot arch and both small toes as well as the back of my heels to prevent blisters. Took one Enduralite pill with some water and had a little Gatorade as well. Sunblocked up at exit to run and I was on my way.

Nothing in T2

Survival! I started off intentionally slow and tried to maintain a somewhat steady pace for the duration of the race... I walked through the aid stations and up Bennett Bay hill in both directions and both laps. I ran the entire rest of the way..

Training more would have helped, however , with the planter fasciatis in the right foot and the IT band pain in my left knee - training was reduced about 6 weeks ago..

Entered the food area and had 2 pieces of pepporoni pizza, first piece tasted good, second one not so much. Drank a few ounces of sprite and headed to the massage tent. Temps had cooled into the 60's and I wore one of the warming blankets outside the massage tent.


I was limited on the run due to my plantar fascitis and IT band soreness. Future training will need to include more distance runs when my injuries heal up.


First time Ironman! Hard to describe the feeling running down Sherman avenue to the finish line with thousands of people cheering. Coeur d Alene is famous for it's fans and they did not dissappoint!