Ironman Coeur d'Alene - TriathlonFull Ironman

I cried a few times waiting for the swim to start, as I heard "Lose Yourself", "Bitter Sweet Symphony" and the National Anthem.....it was just a magical, personal few minutes.....

After I resumed composure......

Very happy with my swim considering the mass start and number of people. The 1st lap never let up with the crowd. Finding a clearing to swim was impossible. I started on the inside, lined with the buoys. The first buoy turn was a total and complete traffic jam! I helped some lady who was having difficulty breathing about 200 yds out from land on the 1st lap. She was choking and hyperventilating. I held her up by her arm for about a minute, and she said she was good. I told her she was almost to land and to keep going (as swimmers were swarming past us). I gave her a shove forward and started to swim, then heard her gagging again..... When I got out from the first lap and saw 40mins, I was elated!

Because it was so overcast and everyone was wearing booties, it was hard to see feet in front of me! that led to hitting feet more than normal. I saw some person with one bootie on and one bare foot....I'm assuming one got ripped off in the scrum.

The 2nd lap was a bit better and I was 5 minutes faster on that loop. When I walked out the water on my 2nd lap, I looked back at the lake and could not believe it was over....all of those laps in an over-chlorinated pool paid off. When I looked at my watch and saw 1hr 15mins, and new I shaved of 5 mins off my first lap, I was just smiling!!!

My overall swim rank was pretty good....still think swimming is my strength.....unfortunately, it's the shortest part of any tri!

Maybe start on the far outside...more swimming, but maybe less crowd.

I took my time in the changing tent to methodically make sure everything was taken care of. I wasn't cold and felt good. Got lathered up in sunscreen. I saw my family yelling for me right as I mounted my bike, and could see and hear the excitement from then. I gave a thumb's up to them, smiled, and was on my way.

Nothing really.

The 1st loop was very good. I spun on the hills, both up and down, so I didn't hammer and kill my legs. I made it through the "big" uphills well, and the following rollers and long, gradual uphills. My chain came off on a short uphill. I had to dismount to get it back on, and barely got back on my bike on the uphill!!

The 2nd loop was good. Again, I concentrated on spinning on the uphill. Funny thing, I made it through the section of "big" uphills, and thought I was through the worst of it. Then I kept hitting those rollers and gradual uphills, and was thinking, "where these here before?!?!!?" lol

I did a pretty good job of attacking the downhill on the rollers and downshifting on the uphill so I didn't have to hammer to reach the peak of the hill.

I saw family members a few times on the bike and that was so perfect. Even got to high-five my Dad once. The CdA community was GREAT! They were out to welcome us, say 'hi', give encouragement. They had bbq's in their yards. I swear, the scent of the cooking hot dogs and the sight of cold beer made me waver a few times!!!!

This was my longest ride, both in miles and time, and when I rode my bike into T2, I was just elated that not only the bike was over, but I felt pretty good to start the run.

Honestly, not much. My training focused on hills versus speed. I got thru it feeling good.

No issues. Was methodical and took my time. Got lathered up in sunscreen again. I picked the shortest volunteer for this, and had to lean down so she could get my neck and shoulders! It was cute.

Nothing

Was able to pass a few who had passed me on the bike!!!

I was able to run for about 15 miles....I walked the last little bit on the big uphill on the turn-around. On the way back to town and the 1/2 way point, a volunteer was yelling on the megaphone, "1st lappers stay to the right, 2nd lappers stay to the left...." over and over.... One more lap, one more lap.

I saw my family again at about mile 15 and gave them a hug and thumb's up. My Dad said he had a cold beer waiting for me....extra incentive!!! When I finished the 1st loop, I could hear Mike Reilly to my right announcing finishers, and I thought 2 things: I can't believe people are that fast!! and I will be back!!! I was literally looking to the right towards the sounds and voice, and a spectator yelled to me "you're next!!!!!" I laughed, gave a thumb's up, and choked back a tear.

Around miles 18'ish to 21'ish, it was either slightly uphill or really uphill. I walked more here for 30 or 60 seconds. My goal was to get to the top of that "big hill" at the turn-around, and run as much as I could. I did pretty good at this strategy.

The aid stations and the volunteers there were completely amazing!!! I can't say enough. They provided. They encouraged. They helped me make it--bottom-line. Thank you.

Just before the mile 23 marker, a fellow runner walking beside me said out of the blue "at mile 23, we're gonna run...." I laughed, and said "OK". We got there, I ditched my cup of ice, and we were off. About 20 seconds later, he quipped "maybe I should have said 'jog'!" I laughed and told me to "go". And I was off. It was slightly downhill and I felt on top of the world.

It was a whirlwind of emotions. I KNEW I was going to make it now, no doubts. I knew I was going to beat 13 hours, but it would be close. Six months of training had come down to 3 miles. I felt great. My Garmin had me at: Mile 24 was at 11m 40s; Mile 25 was at 10m 1s; Mile 26 was at 9m 22s.

When I saw the mile 25 marker, I knew I had 1.2 miles left. I imagined my run route at home and thought, 'that's from the driveway to that mailbox by the library'....cake!!! Nothing in the world could have stopped me at this point...nothing. With about 3/4 of a mile, the same guy on the megaphone was saying "1st lappers stay right, 2nd lappers go left"......I was going left. I was about to finish. I told him "I'm going left!!!" and he said "great job, Steve! keep going!"

The finish is set-up so the last jaunt is downhill down a main street lined with people. I was running. Running. Nothing could have stopped me. I was passing people. A fellow racer yelled to me "go, go!!". I was smiling. I wanted to cry but couldn't. It was magical. People were clapping for a complete stranger and making a new friend named "Steve". They were my new best friends. Their energy carried me.

I knew my son was waiting for me to run across the finish line with me. I stopped to find him too soon, and people were yelling at me to keep running!!! I realized he was a bit further up. I saw my family on the left pointing to my son to right! I grabbed his hand and we ran towards the finish line. My son son leaping to high-five people and I was just absorbing the moment, my moment.

I heard Mike Reilly say my name and city and what I'd been waiting for....I was an Ironman. I crossed the finish line...I heard my timing chip chirp....the best sound of the day!!!

NOTHING!

Tried to stretch some but I was too happy to see and talk to family. I saw Wendi, Mike and their fam at the finish (and along the route!). I was just so happy to have finished and finished on my terms, that nothing could have spoiled the moment. Took some pics with my fam and got my stuff from T1 and T2. I saw people starting their 2nd loop on the run and was just thinking what they had in front of them, and wished them God speed. Hang in there!!!


The city of CdA and the volunteers were wonderful.

I told someone I'd never do another IM again....I lied. It might not be soon because of the overall expense involved, but I will be back to an IM sometime.

Sorry for the long RR...but it's a long race! :)