Ironman Coeur d'Alene - TriathlonFull Ironman

Wow, this was amazing, that many people lined up and ready to go. Kicking and punching and just getting things handed to ya. I wanted my Ironman experiance to be this and it was. I was in the washing machine. Kicked in the groin, kicked in the chest and just being grabbed by every possible person was great. I was having a good time for the first 300m then it got old quick. So, I tried to find some open water. Find it then 100 people would pour in...argh.....But finally after the 2nd turn and on the way back it felt good and I was in open water and purposly not trying to draft people.

Seed myself too the left.

WETSUIT STRIPPERS ROCK!
it was a long transition. I was very easy going, I was not going to break any landspeed records out on the bike so I wanted to see everything. Got to the war zone...I mean mens change tent, and found a spot, a very nice volunteer took my wetsuit and dumped my bag onto the ground and placed it so I could see everything and said can I help you any more. I said I should be good. Took off my shorts and put on my cycling shorts. Put on my shirt and then put on my arm and knee warmers. Gloves and then helmut and glasses socks and shoes. Then added liberal amounts of butt butter.

Nothing except speed up next time...or have a tri suit.

Ok, lets begin. I started out good. I was keeping my race plan in tact. I was not going to be going into any lactate threshold whatsoever in the first loop. I wanted to try and keep a good speed the wholeway. Well, my first loop was awesome. I was averaging 28k for speed and I was feeling fantastic. Then the inevetable happened, my rear derailer was skipping all over, so, I had to figure out how to fix it. Did not work. Stopped the tech guys. They helped....wait after the first hill it happened again this time though It would not skip in the big gear and when I put it in the small gear, I would just skip over and over and over an I could not get a rythm. Finally ED showed up and helped big time. New bike cable stretch and an extra link in the chain proved to be the problem...that took 25 mins so long...but well worth it. THANKS ED. Then I started again and I was flying I had a good finish but Maybe I let it just get too far out. I told myself no I was not getting angry. I was just going let things happen the way they happen. I can control only me.

Not buy a new bike 2 days before a race.

Came into transition. Volunteer grabbed my bike. Best thing ever. Then some weirdo in a hat got in my face and started taking pictures...oh thats haz! Great to see him. Got my bag that a volunteer handed me and headed to the change tent. This was not as bad as the swim t1. Volunteer helped me get my stuff out and then asked if he could help. I asked where the can was and he pointed out the urinal in the corner. AWESOME. Then changed and headed out.

Added vaseline to my nipples.

Well this seems to be the best part but it was not. I really felt like crap but ran anyway. I went aid to aid and just tried to keep the pace down. I was doing a 10min mile for the first 6 miles and then it dropped to about 11. When I reached 14 miles I was done. Started walking and walking and drinking coke. My stomach said it was full but I just kept trying to drink. Had a couple of chicken broths and was starting to feel better. My ankles were just freaking sore and my toes were killing. But I just kept thinking of things that made me feel better. Training days in the snow and the like. My children and my Wife. All of these things were running in my head. NOT ONCE did I think thats it, its over. I just thoght man am I sore, but then I would think of my Daughter, with her little blistered hands going out for more on the monkey bars. would she quit with a bit of pain...no, she just keeps motoring. That kept me going strong and I then thought of my days at home with my parents and started doing 100 walking and 100 running...over and over again. Just to keep things going...Walked up to the turn around and ran down...knees are sore...ouch...walk the aid station...keep going with 100 and 100 around 5 miles out I started getting better and I started running again. At 4 miles around the time the 840 I started thinking of what Leah said to give me goose bumps and picked up the pace. 3 miles left its 904...shit. missed that time goal..I feel good pick it up heath! Then all of the sudden I hear my old Basic training Master Corpral yelling in my head...HEATH....GET F-ING MOVING...THERE IS NO BULL SHIT RUNNING IN THE ARMY....so I pick it up to his yelling out CADENCE... LEFT RIGHT LEFT RIGHT LEFT RIGHT LEFFFFFTTTTTT....IF YOU SLOW DOWN I WILL RIP OUT YOUR EYEBALLS AND >>>>> YOU.....You would not believe me how much this helped Cause in 26 mins I was flying down the shoot. Man what an experiance.. I was sprinting from a long way out...people had there hands out I was sreaming and hi fiveing....it was the best feeling in the whole world....then it happens....I hear it....DAN HEATH........YOU ARE AN IRONMAN!!!! Yep, no feelings just a big scream and then caught by the catchers. Oh oh...Legs not working oh oh...I don't feel good....oh oh...Hey theres Whizz....why does she look scared...Oh theres bruce...they want to take me to medical...hey its LEAH shet wants a picture.. i think I raised my head....ouch....hey its Matt...the ART guy who helped me out with my neck and hip problems....ouch.....I don't need to go to Medicall....my friend Bruce is a paramedic...he can take care of me. Off to Medical where they give me some water and some Chicken broth..and some of those nice silver blankets..Ahhh I feel better. Good thing Bruce was there cause I can't remember getting my Shirt and hat but he had it for me. Thanks Bruce. Walked around seen Ronin and was going to eat but started seizing up so I walked around an got the legs moving then went in for a massage...best thing ever!

Train more.

Ummmm...I was in Medical.


Not training enough. I just could not get the motivation to do it.


I made it a point to have fun on this race. I danced with a few people, hi fived anybody who put their hand up. Thanked all volunteers and everybody who said I was doing good. Made a point of stopping and thanking a child in a wheelchair who came out to watch..breaks my heart. It was a humbling experiance to be passed by so many people while you wait for the great bike techs to fix your bike. with out them I probably would have finished a lot later. I love my new Cervelo Team Soloist. I am considering a name right now but have yet to think of one. I absolutly loved the race. Lots of support from the locals and the Volunteers were the greatest. I had a blast. Thank you to all who yelled my name.
I WILL DO ANOTHER ONE!