Ironman Coeur d'Alene - Triathlon

I felt good in the swim. The water temp didn't take my breath away and I kept it under control except for the few times I got splashed in the face when attempting to get a breath. I was so thankful for my ability to breath comfortably on either side, and I used this when passing people who were splashing.

I've never been in a mass swim start, but I wouldn't change the way IM did it this year with the rolling start. It was smooth and there were times when I was touched/pulled on but it was minimal and completely tolerable.

I would stay more focused on moving forward and pay less attention to the people around me. I would also stay on the inside for both laps. My first lap was faster than my second and I'm thinking it's because I was closer to the buoys so I was catching more draft. For the second lap I wanted to be away from the people so I stay further away thinking I would swim faster. Now I know.

I had exactly what I needed and I'm glad I kept everything at a minimum. Volunteers got me my bag as I ran past - so cool! I loved seeing young kids out there volunteering.

I would tell the first volunteer who asks if I need help "Yes!" I kept saying I was fine because I felt fine, but now that I see how long it took me I realize I was slow. I told 3 people I didn't need help until one decided not to listen to my words and just started helping. What a relief she was and so very helpful. She put my socks on for me.

Loved being so familiar with the bike course. I was able to pick up some great speed on the downhills because I knew what was coming up. I think I topped out between 35-36mph. There were a few times that the drafting rule really made me mad because people would pass then slow down. I was behind/passing a gal who decided to take a pee while biking. It was really gross to watch and I never want to be that person. I did stop at the first loop turn around to use the bathroom.

My pacing was spot on with my training, and using my breathing to gauge what zone I'm is worked perfectly to allow me to not burn out.

All I put in my special needs bag was my pre-mixed Infinite, and I didn't need anything else.

I want to figure out how to minimize saddle soreness because it was aweful. I want to try new shoes and clips. My current shoe set-up makes my right foot toes go numb and I had moment of pretty intense pain in those toes. I also think I would benefit from having a better understanding of my pacing and timing. I went through a five mile section on the bike where I was feeling anxious because I just wasn't sure if I was going to make the cut-off. Had I been able to realize sooner that I was going to be just fine those five miles might have been less overwhelming.

Volunteers took my bike as soon as I was off. Yay! Felt a bit out of it and my legs were exactly what I expected. I stopped at the bathroom before changing. When asked if I needed help I said yes.

I changed socks and sports bra. Added more sunscreen and put all my GU in my pockets.

Nothing that I can think of.

I decided prior to the race I would run 4min/walk 1min and see how it went and adjust as necessary. I was able to maintain that plan for the entire marathon. There were a few times friends joined on the run and I was too distracted to be right on time, but I didn't care. Then the last six miles I ran more than I walked. The last 1.5 miles or so I kept a steady running pace the entire time. It was really fun to pass so many people and know I was running at that moment because I had done a good job pacing myself for the last 135 miles.

I had ibuprofen and glide in my special needs bag, which was exactly what I needed.

My support team was incredible. I didn't have to run very far before I would have a crown of cheering friends. As I was running along a friend I haven't seen in several years was standing there waiting patiently for me to pass by. My heart was over-joyed! He told me a funny story. When I first signed up he didn't believe I would do it, but he came to the race and looked for me at the swim start and bike transitions and couldn't find me. So he went home believeing I wasn't there. Then somehow he found out I was there and I was half-way done with the bike, so he headed back and stood on the side waiting. Pretty fun story.

I alternated between GU and Perform for the majority of my nutrition. Then I started eating 1 potato chip every aid station because the salt and crunch was so yummy.

I think I was over-zealous with taking in calories because I didn't want to take too little. I should have backed off a bit because my stomach felt full, but thankfully it never really affected my running ability.

Don't eat a piece of pizza after finishing an IM. I didn't really do much warming down.


Dealing with calf and knee issues during my training. But really I couldn't have asked for a better first IM experience. I went as fast as I could go to maintain 15+ hrs of racing and finish strong!


I loved this race. I loved the support I received. I love knowing I am now an Ironman.