I was really surprised at this fast swim, but the conditions were fantastic. There were no waves, the water was superclear, the buoys large and orange and very little jostle (only at the very start).

Unlike at IM CDA, there was not stopping at the turns because of the "accordion effect." I wasn't kicked or hit, so there was no slow-down there. In IM CDA I was slowed down a bit because I needed to pee very badly (in pain), and I couldn't pee in my wetsuit because I couldn't relax. Not surprising this was a quicker swim.

Swim like this all the time.

I was a little disoriented coming out the swim, so my wetsuit strippers had a bit of trouble getting me out of my suit.

I grabbed a sip of gatorade to wash down some electrolyte tablets.

I got accosted by the sunscreen girls as I left the tent. I didn't think I needed more sunscreen than the 2 layers of ultra waterproof stuff I had, but my slight burn on my shoulders made me glad that the sunscreen appliers gave me a bit more sun protection. Thank you, ladies!

Put a towel in my bike bag (doh!) It made putting my arm warmers and socks on rather difficult.

I thought I was going to die so many times on this course. I was really proud of myself for climbing the "Three Sisters" on my bike. After them, you are praying for the route to go downhill, but it doesn't. It keeps going up very slightly until you get into town. Then you get a little downhill, and then go uphill again. At this point your legs are screaming at you to finish, already.

Much harder indoor bike sessions. Really work at doing very high resistance repeats.

My left foot was in extreme pain and "on fire." I was massaging my foot in transition, and one of the volunteers asked if I needed bandages, but I felt that the pain was from the vibration in my left bike shoe.

Nothing. If my foot had been in better shape, I would have been out earlier.

The first 1/2 marathon went well, but I got pretty sore and tired for the second half.

Not sign up for an iron distance only 10 weeks out. Not get sick twice in the last 3 weeks before the race, and miss a long run and several medium runs.

Pizza and water in the warm tent, and a nice chat with some supporters (one who could commiserate with me about IM CDA weather this year). My present favourite song played on the radio in the car on the way back to the hotel adding to my "high." A cool shower in the hotel after.


Having to take 3 days off training on peak week because of a cold and the whole last week of training because of the flu didn't help me. I didn't get to do my last long run or bike. Also, the fact that I signed up only 10 weeks out didn't help. If I had known earlier, I would have been able to build a better base with my coach.


This race was very important because it was to make up for not finishing my first Ironman in Coeur d'Alene this last June. I got hypothermia past the half-way point on the run, which left me very disappointed and a little demoralized.

I almost didn't do the Full because I had been sick with a cold and then the flu 3 weeks before the race and after the plane rides, my voice became froggy, which is usually the first sign of my yearly bout of bronchitis. I switched to Half on the Friday, but when the bronchitis didn't appear the next day. Meagan (sp?) Lowery allowed me to switch back to Full (THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU...).

I'm so glad that I did this race and my finish completely made up for the disappointment in Coeur d'Alene. It was my first completed Full iron-distance race, and I received an award for being 3rd in my age group.

This race is so well organized (it would have to be to let a neurotic triathlete change her mind twice) and fun. The volunteers were spectacular!! There was tons of food and drink at the aid stations, and plenty of aid stations. One aid station for every 10 miles on the bike and one every mile on the run. Chips, cookies, pretzels, gatorade, electrolyte tablets, water, flat coke, chicken broth, Hammer bars, etc.

This event is NOT TO BE MISSED!!