Super job by both of you guys.  It was awesome to that last run split was strong for both of you.

I saw someone on the main threads comment the water was actually 54 at the start.  I don't know if that's accurate, but even for this New Hampshire boy that's frosty.  58 isn't a lot better.

Thanks!!

Check this out, start of the IMCDA swim

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZODXvyo6_Xc

Thanks everyone!  Your support, advice and inspires over the last 18 months have gotten to a place I never would have imagined. 

It was truly one of the best feelings of personal accomplishment I've had in my life.  IMCDA is an awesome awesome race venue, the crowds and volunteers make this race, it's also just a beautiful but challenging course.  We were blessed with what I would say was a perfect race day, cool temps definitely helped me.  It was nice to hear some athletes that had done this course in years past that the course was much harder this time, other than the temps. being cooler.

Great job Rene, sorry I missed seeing you buddy, I was thinking about you on the course and we might have even bumped into each other on the swim!!  I'm still amazed at Rene's time, not that I didn't think he would smash it, because I knew he would, but that he executed his day so well, right on brother!!

IronMatt's Race Report (I keep adding tidbits to it, so many little things happen in 13.5 hrs, it's hard to capture them all):

http://www.beginnertriathlete.com/discussion/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=258835

Thanks Matt!  Great job yourself too!! Sorry we couldn't hook up!  It was a great day to do IMCDA!!

My Race Report is finally done!!

I have nothing locked in, but I plan to do a HIM distance Tri in August then maybe a Mary in the fall.  The same mary that eluded me last year!

Good question, my buddy wants to return to B2B for HIM this fall, it was real fun and cool weather so I might do that one.  Looking at a couple local races, but I'm not sure if it is smart to do a sprint or olympic in July or if I need more recovery and how to train btw now and a race in 3-4 weeks.  I feel pretty good, but can tell I am tired and fatigued still.  I want to go swim tomorrow for a short easy swim, then maybe an easy bike sometime this weekend.  I want to run too, but trying to recover properly, this is what I didn't do after my HIM last year and got injured. Any suggestions?

I swam on Tuesday and rode real easy yesterday.  Today we are heading to the lake to swim again.  Holding off on the run still.

You guys are rock stars.  Awesome job.  It makes me want to sign up for an IM right now. 

But then again, when I got off my bike after 70 hilly miles Friday evening, I couldn't have even imagined biking another 26.2, forget about running!

I played golf this past weekend with my new TaylorMade clubs, love them, and ran on treadmill for 30 minutes.  Recovery going well since my mom and sister-in-law came for a visit so it made me take it easy.

Hope everyone had a great 4th of July!

I know you would LOVE IT!!  You will be an Ironman and it is worth the 6 month commitment.  B2B 2012? ;~)

Nice!  Way to lay low! I rode yesterday.  One of my friends qualified for Kona again so he is back at it!

I agree, it was worth the 6 months...for "bragging rights for the rest of your life". 

With the cold long winter it sure was challenging to train, but on race day and afterward you forget it ALL.  The race made all that training so worth it!

I just watched the Ironman Coeur d'Alene 2011 race day video posted on YouTube and I am in it!!

I was on about mile 10 of the marathon and a camera man on the back of a motorcycle taped me for about a mile, only about one second of tape of me running made it. I come on at 7:43 of the video, quick flash. They didn't show my Ohio State jersey is my only disappointment! HA!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=neVcAP_s_DE

Sweet!!  Nice face shot!  They have a tenth of a second of me running at 8:10!  Cool!

Awesome, I was wondering if you were on there somewhere too!!!  You were trucking right along!!

BTW, thanks for posting this link Mr Ironman!!!  WahoooOOOO!!

Thanks Ironbro!

I'm back at it so I can possibly do a couple of races here in the near future. Still contemplating a few.

Awesome link, way cool to see you guys out there.  That swim start video is nuts.

Race report is done.

FINALLY finished my

Ironman Coeur d'Alene Race Day Video

That's an awesome video Rene! You looked great every time...fantastic.

And what Rene's NOT telling you all - he won third in his age group this past weekend in a sprint! Woot!

That video is awesome Rene.  Congrats on the podium.  And Matt crushed a sprint last week as well.  I guess IM fitness translates to the short course as well!

Jennifer - keep your head up.  Injuries really suck, but they seem to be part of the game.  Like all things in this crazy sport, patience and persistence wins the day.  You will train to fight another day.