Ironman 70.3 Coeur d'Alene - Triathlon

Went in almost at the end. Out of 3000 athletes, there were maybe 40 people behind me at the start. I thought I would encounter less traffic this way.

Start farther up. By starting in the last group, I put myself in with a concentration of poor swimmers. I swam straight, but after having people swim over me from left, right and behind and not being able to get clear, I switched to breast stroke to have my head up and forward with each stroke. I did 98% of this swim breast stroking, which was not my original plan. I thought my time was pretty good for a 60s age grouper breast stroking 1.2 miles!

I took my sweet time because I was afraid of forgetting a key piece of gear (sunglasses, etc.). I also took longer because I changed into full bike shorts. I elected not to do this race in my tri shorts and I am happy with the time trade off that it took to put on my fully padded bike shorts.

Be more confident that my pre-race layout of my transition gear was right.

This is a pretty course with (alternately) lakeside views and rolling hilly panoramas. Road conditions are generally good with paved and a few chip sealed surfaces. I took my time, stopping at three aid stations to use the bathroom (I'm and old guy) and slug gatorade. I probably spent 4-5 mintues at each.

Try not to drink so much water in the swim to cut down on aid station stops.

Again, took my time. Walked my bike instead of running with it. Changed from bike shorts and jersey to running shorts and shirt.

Run bike through transition. Change faster.

Coming into this race with a calf pull 10 days earlier I had not been running during the taper. My legs protested mightily and I ended up walking 50% of the run course.

Come into race in healthy state.

Hydration, post-race food. I did not feel a need to warm down since I wasn't pushing the run pace.


Going to plan B on swim (breast stroke), slow transitions, full stops at bike aid stations, walk/run pace on run.

I am not disappointed. This is first HIM and second triathlon ever for this 60 year-old. My goal was to finish within the allotted time and I did that.


This inaugural Half Iron distance of one of Ironman's favorite venues did not disappoint and allowed many of us who won't do a full IM to have an Ironman experience in Coeur d'Alene. The city's volunteers are the best on the IM circuit. I know...I've been a volunteer for years at Cd'A Ironman. Now I am an athlete!