Ironman Coeur d'Alene - TriathlonFull Ironman

Started out feeling pretty strong. First loop went OK. Found some feet once in awhile. Got hit a few times. Sighting was better coming back in. Had a gel on beach and headed back in. 2nd loop wasn't so fun. Wind picked up and waves got pretty big. Drank some lake water and wound up swallowing a lot of air in the struggle. Kept getting beat up. Could not find any open space which was odd. Anyway, was very relieved to hit the back in leg since there seemed to be a push from the waves. Felt OK coming out of the water.

Thought I did OK for the conditions.

Wore tri shorts in the water this year since I had so much trouble with my hands last year and didn't want to change. Felt much warmer and was able to do everything but put on my gloves by myself. Had my 1/2 of a peanut butter/strawberry/nutella sandwhich while getting sun screened and heading to the bike.

Well, once again the motion sickness/water-air inhalation came back to haunt me on the bike. Started feeling pretty bad on the way out to the first aid station. Should have stopped there, but line was really long for the potti AND my race plan was to not stop until the 30 mile. I'm such a ding dong. By the time I got back to town I was totally unable to get areo due to all the air in my gut. Was told a couple of times I did not look too well. Anyway headed south of town and toward the next aid station. Barely remember climbing Mica grade... miserable. Got to the station and only had to wait behind one person in the potti line. Felt soooo much better after this stop. Wow. Started riding again and could not get my HR down with all the climbing and the wind. I really thought I could ride this course in 6 1/2 hrs. Got into ignoring the HR trying to keep my time goal for awhile. Finally had to change the odometer setting to miles instead of time so I could get the HR down. I always put a piece of tape over the mph part of the odometer. I just get to focused on those #'s. Had a blast riding back into town. Loop 2 felt good. Passed lots of people on the 2 big hills heading out. Stuck to the nutrition plan of one bar and one gel per hr. I can understand the logic of runnung the race on this new course, but I sure do like the old one better.

Stop and take care of business sooner. Would save alot of mental stress.

Nice lady helped me get the run stuff out of my bag and organized. Stayed with tri shorts,
changed shirt and socks.

Wasn't sure how the run was going to turn out. Had not been able to run much since May 4th. I did 15 miles that day and my plantar fascia had enough. Tried to treat with ice, rest, etc. Finally went with cortisone injection 2 weeks before race. Started out with 4min. run/1 min. walk. Pretty much stuck to that plan the whole way. Walked up the big hill both loops and walked some of the aid stations and every once in awhile would run 3mjn. walk 2min. Felt mostly good the whole way. Enjoyed all the volunteers and the big party bunch at the Beach House and also at the apartment building back in town. As always the run down Sherman St. was awesome!!!

Going to train up slower next season to avoid injury.

Didn't warm down much unfortunately. Had the pizza and fruit and chocolate milk. Walked over to pick up bike with family then back to the car. Headed home.


Injury


CDA is a great place to race. Like the venue and all the people and volunteers. Loved the gear bag this year. Nice. Looking forward to next year. It's always interesting and fun. And a bonus is that my 11 year old daughter was totally interested this year and wants to train for a sprint either this fall or next spring. Yahoo!!!