Ironman Coeur d'Alene - TriathlonFull Ironman

WOW! This was a physical swim!! The waves were pretty rough and there was a strong current we were swimming into due to the strong headwind. I usually bilaterally breathe, but being that the sun was on my left and was glaring, I was forced to only breathe on my right. Before I knew it, I was at the first orange bouy and ready to turn left. As I turned, I couldn't see a damn thing as the sun was so bright. My sighting was off and I swam a little off course before seeing the second orange bouy and heading that way to go around it. As I made the turn, I felt the waves helping me back to shore. I now was just breathing on my left and before I knew it was back at the shore. It was awesome to hear the crowd screaming before you even got out of the water. I ran through the arch and back in for a second loop. I managed to catch onto a guy with just a speedo and no wetsuit. I drafted off of him for a bit before he took off. The second loop was a little less congested, but I was still getting bumped (and doing some bumping too). The way out on the second loop seemed to take forever. I made it to the turn around and had way better sighting this loop. I made the turn and headed back to shore. I had to piss so badly and couldn't go as I was swimming. I stopped briefly to wizz and as I got started, I saw Laura (gymnutt03) on my left! How crazy! We swam near eachother for the rest of the way back. I started kicking a bit more to get the blood flowing so I could run. I was freezing as I started the second loop and was ready to get out of the cold water. I jogged through the arch and ran on the beach to the peelers. I saw Keith, a friend of some of our group, who works for Timex. So great to see a familiar face! I checked my watch and was thrilled with my time! It was 3 minutes longer than IMLP last year, but this swim was much harder and more physical.

I would only make equipment changes...get tinted goggles and perhaps a full wetsuit.

I was a little disoriented after getting out of the cold water. I ran to the peeler, got my wetsuit stripped and grabbed my T1 bag. I almost ran into the men's changing tent before getting directed into the women's.
I had a volunteer helping me the entire time. I changed completely so I was dry to start. I was out of the tent ready to go, got slathered with sunscreen right outside the tent and hit the port-o-pottie before heading to my bike. As I was getting my bike off the rack, it got stuck on the seat which probably cost a few seconds. Not a lot in the grand scheme of things. It was just annoying. I also knocked my H20 bottle off the back as I swung my leg over to get on my bike. A volunteer was there to help though.

Um, move my ass faster.

Was freezing as soon as I got on the bike. I was shivering despite having "arm warmers"...made from knee socks. Mine were pink and white argyle with skulls and crossbones on them!
I felt comfortable on the first out and back and continued on north of town. Brad passed me on the out and back and I was surprised I beat him out of the water! He said Tim was behind him so it was someone to look for. Heidi soon passed me and we traded encouraging comments. Tim soon passed me and I was soon back in town. My pace was comfortable and nutrition was on for the hills. I saw Tim on the other side of an out and back. He said Brad had mechanical issues and was ahead of me. I then passed Brad at around mile 32. He was walking with his bike. I stopped to see if there was anything I could do. He briefly told me what happened and asked we have the race support radio for the SAG wagon. I hit the turn around and headed back. I yelled some encoragement to Brad and told him how far to the turn around. I then passed two motorcycles over the next few miles and forcefully told them to go send someone to give Brad and hand and that he needed a tire. I continued on, but was worried he may not make the cutoff. The headwind into town sucked, but there was music and people which made it more exciting. I knocked out the short out and back and made the turn for the second loop (when I saw Craig and Laura). Heidi and I had leapfrogged eachother during the ride as she was having mechanical problems to...with her seat.
I stopped at the special needs to get more sunscreen and hit a port-o-pottie. I then saw Brad and was so happy he made the cutoff, I started crying. He soon passed me and I then saw Nate filming the race. Made the turns through town before heading north again.
I went past Hayden Lake and as I crested the top of a hill, ready to go screaming down to get up the next uphill, my bike felt weird. I stopped and felt the rear tire and it was soft. FUCK! I made it to the valley of the hill where there was a spectator and a pick up truck. I told him what was wrong and I laid my bike down to get off the rear wheel. All of my GU2O dumped out of my aerobottle. FUCK! I pulled out my tire lever and tried not to freak out...as I am not the best at changing a flat. The thing is, I felt confident in my ability to change the tire, but the small edge which you use to pry off the tire broke. The tire was hard to get off and I was having a hell of a time. A race support motocycle stopped. I asked for him to help me get the tire off, but he said he couldn't and drove off. I had three other edges on the tool to use. And all three broke. So now I have no usable tool. The spectator said he had a tool and a pump at his house down the drive way. He left and I continued trying to get the tire off. He was back soon and we were able to get the tire off with his tool. I put the tube in and the tire on, but it looked like it was being pinched a bit. I was afraid to pump it up to have it blow a few yards down the road. As I messed with it, guys from Inside Out Sports pulled up and took over. He made sure it wasn't pinched and pumped up my tire. I was off, but didn't have any momentum from the downhill to get up the other side. I missed a round of my nutrition, had no GU20, little water, a high heart rate and a headache. I told myself to get it together and get back on the nutrition plan. I stopped at the next aid station to get new bottles and eat/take tylenol. By the end of the hills, I was ready to get back to town. It was a great feeling ending that short out and back and pulling into the transition area.

Practice changing flats more. Get a better tool.
Overall, I was happy with my bike. I would have liked to break 8 hours and would have been close without the flat. (It took me about 20 minutes).

I grabbed my T2 bag and took of my helmet and gloves as I walked into the tent. The volunteer that helped me was leopard8996's aunt! She was awesome! She helped me with everything and filled my water bottle with ice water. I grabbed a bag of pretzels on my way out of the tent and I was off.

Again, move faster.

The run is always my weakest. I immediately saw Tim and Laura's parents as I ran out of the transition area. I then saw Laura and Tim running together and they looked great! I saw Heidi, Brad and Craig somewhere along the way and it was so great to see everyone! I ran the first 7 miles or so, but my stomach felt like crap. I decided to only take GUs every hour instead of :30. That didn't work either. So I stopped the GUs...bad move. After walking for a bit to settle my stomach, I started running again back into town. I was again headed out of town for the second loop. Passing the finish line and wanting to be there so badly sucked! I met up with some super nice people on the second loop...a few women from San Diego and then two guys from Texas. I continued with a brisk walk/slow run/shuffle. I hit the port-o-pottie and felt a little better, but was now hungry and dizzy. I honestly think at times I was not walking straight. It was dark now and getting cold. Since I was running as I passed the special needs bags, I passed up my long sleeved shirt. Bad move. I could have used it at mile 20! I continued grabbing soda and pretzels at every aid station along with some gatorate and chicken broth every once in a while. I also got a space blanket which helped. The people eating at Tony's restaurant along the lake were awesome!!! I hit the turn around and was happy to be heading back. I snaked through the neighborhood streets which had some spectators, but few athletes. The spectators were awesome to be out at that hour and in the cold!!! I hit mile 25 and knew I was so close I got choaked up. Before making the left turn onto Sherman, I ditched my space blanket and glow necklace. I could see the finish line. I could hear the crowds and Mike Riley. I immediately started running and no longer felt the searing pain I felt earlier. It was effortless. I passed a few people as I ran down Sherman...not because I wanted to beat them in, but because I felt great running to the finish! I saw Tim and Laura along with Tim's parents before entering the chute. As I entered, I raised my arms in the air to get some cheers. I weaved down the chute slapping hands and smiling the entire way. I hit that finish line and was so excited I was jumping up and down. And yes, finishing that second Ironman felt just as good as the first.

More run training. Figure out my nutrition. The same thing happened to me in Lake Placid.

Got my medal and since I was feeling really dizzy, I stood there for a minute or two. I found our group and got the congratulatory hugs. I ate a few pieces of pizza and got a massage. Brad, Heidi, Craig, Nate and I stayed until midnight to welcome home the last finishers. The finish line is amazing...it's so energetic!


Continue with my group bike rides as they're making me stronger. Also longer runs.


This race was AWESOME!! The course was great! The crowd and community support was great! And the volunteers were just phenominal. I tried to thank as many as I could and told them we couldn't do it without them. Ironically enough, they thanked me in return for racing. The community really embraces this race!
The second Ironman was just as special as the second. Despite having a smaller crew cheering us on, the five people I did this race with are just amazing and really make the journey that much more special.
Last year after IMLP, I said I wasn't doing another Ironman. At mile 21, I was in so much pain, I told myself I was not doing another Ironman.
On Monday, I was ready to sign up for another Ironman.