Ironman Coeur d'Alene - TriathlonFull Ironman

At times I could swim for about 5 min. without getting in somebody's way or them getting in mine. Finding an empty spot was more important than the course. I looked sat every 5-8 paces at the situation and had to completely stop about 6 times. Too many people, no space to swim, fish in a barrel. Second lap was not that much better, but I was not could tired at the end.

Did as I trained, very happy

there are many angels ( volunteers)at the IM,my first group of them was at the transition.Suit was gone in less than a minute, the changing tent was not too full, i changed everything, since the water was so could. I got the bike ( the plastic covering it from the rain the night before was gone and everything ready) and I My goal was to make the 1st loop cut off time (at 1.30) and my brain was completely focused.

Nothing, I changed my plan not to wear my tri pants and change from my swimsuit after the warning about getting too could from the water.

My bad part. My gears started having a problem on mile 51, but survived the race.No flats,food was Probar ( had about 1 and 1/2 in little pieces, but next time I will put them straight in my pocket, no ziploc), gells, bananas at the drink station, I had my bottle in my aero bars for the first time, just added it the day before, so it was fun to see how it works, an it worked the best way. Not much pain from the seat, slowed down at the last 20 miles to save legs for the run. My goal was to finish and make it, so when I made the first loop with an hour to spare, I knew I could not keep going that fast and still run. I am 15mph girl.

Everything in moderation worked for me

I was in shock I made the cut off, changed again completely, and the girl helping me said " this is what you have been waiting for". That woke me up and started me on the way.

Not a thing

I drank at every station and walked. I altered broth, cola and water ( keeps you busy trying to remember what you had last time. I was looking for a running buddy or someone with a similar pace, I did not know what to expect. Found a great company in Michelle ( 4th IM), we talked and walked through the stations, running all the times in between. It worked and at the last four miles she wanted to try to finish under 15h. I have never given it any thought before, but seemed like good idea, so we went for it. She went faster at 24 miles, I just did not feel my legs anymore, but they were there and they were moving. Its funny how clear it is to you that if you stop now you will never move again, so no water stations, no high fives, just guessing when are the legs just going to finnaly give up, since I had no control over anything at that point. I see my husband and my riding buddy, but all I can think about is I FINISHED THE BIKE. Emotions, volunteer, picture, we do not have a small shirt anymore, just medium, that's Ok, is your family here, my family is always here, my mother watching the kids at home came from the Czech Republic, my husband standing there after sitting at the cafe for 15 hours and watching my progress, looking for me to just see me for split second every time I go by,and sitting some more instead of a nice cruise or Hawai vacation, my dad watching my results half way aroud the world, my In-laws not uderstanding why mother of their grandkids would do this and just going with it for 6 months just for me, and all the countless people that answered my many qestions.


It was perfect

Tried a pizza, but could not hold it and got sick in front of the hotel.


I am not willing to invest more time into the training, for me to balance the family was important for surviving


Thank you