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Ironman Coeur d'Alene - TriathlonFull Ironman


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Coeur d'Alene, Idaho
United States
Ironman North America
72F / 22C
Sunny
Total Time = 13h 18m 12s
Overall Rank = 1209/2351
Age Group = 40-44
Age Group Rank = 39/141
Pre-race routine:

Slept awesome. Up at 3:30am for two bowls of granola, a banana, and coffee. Dad drove me to the race start. Arrived at 5am for body marking and transition setup. Did all the usual -- bike nutrition and air tires, potty, special needs, potty, tweak transition bags, potty, wonder what I'm forgetting, potty. Finally sat down to relax with a girlfriend and quickly befriended two other amazing women, one of whom really impacted my day. Great pre-race. Awesome music playing. Journey's Don't Stop Believin', and U2's Beautiful Day just before the canon went off.
Event warmup:

Splash in the water, pee, hang out and shoot the breeze with the guys around me strategizing about how to swim the course, complaining about body contact from last year, etc.
Swim
  • 1h 05m 34s
  • 4224 yards
  • 01m 33s / 100 yards
Comments:

I was dreading the swim this year, as last year it was so physical the entire way. I don't know what was different this year, but after total mayhem for about the first 400 yards, I found myself with open water. Whee!!! I think I swam wide, as when I'd breathe to my right I didn't see people. But I wasn't super-duper wide, I don't think. Anyway, it was nice not to be mauled for an hour. Just swam a nice, steady pace. Up and out of the first loop, no clue as to my time. Music was blaring Livin' On a Prayer (Ohhhhhh, we're half-way there, ohhh ohhh, livin' on a prayer...)! Tried really hard to pee the second lap but was unsuccessful, rats! Totally bit it coming out of the water -- fell into the sand right around the timing mat, and as I was pulling myself up I fell again. Felt a tiny hamstring twinge and was not happy about that. Nothing to be done but get on with the day.
What would you do differently?:

Not much, maybe swim faster/harder? Definitely not bite it when I exit the water. But it was so cold the coordination wasn't really there.
Transition 1
  • 05m 43s
Comments:

Got the wetsuit stripped, started to run into the men's changing tent -- oops! Made it into the women's tent and had an awesome volunteer help get me going. Was freezing and could barely talk and couldn't move my hands at all. (Funny aside -- my T1 time is the same as last year, to the second!)
What would you do differently?:

Skip the detour into the men's tent. Ha!!
Bike
  • 7h 01m 13s
  • 112 miles
  • 15.95 mile/hr
Comments:

Clipped in one foot, on the bike and I was off. Tried clipping in the second foot. Not working. Kept trying. Not working. Kept moving, kept trying. Not working. Arrrrgh! Decided my toe cover must have been shifted in my bag and was blocking my cleat. Pulled over and tried to adjust. Started up again and FINALLY got my foot in. I don't think it was the cover -- I think it was that I couldn't feel my foot at all and the position of the shoe was off. With water temp at 55 and air not much warmer by that time, I was cold. Anxious for some sunshine to thaw me out for sure!

Just tried to take it easy. Had to pee 4 times, which pissed me off (ha ha, pun intended). Watched for my family as I was leaving town but they weren't where I thought I might see them. No harm, no foul, they hadn't made firm plans yet. My first stop was at mile 20 aid station, where I ran into a friend and fellow teammate who had bad bike luck last year at IMC mile 20 -- here she was again, just flatted. After I peed I gave her a little pep talk and a quick hug -- she needed it. Onward.

Had to pee again but the next aid station (around mile 40-ish?) had a line about 4-5 people deep, so I bailed. Rather, I found a field and stopped on the side of the road and squatted. Funny to squat and watch the cyclists riding by, ha! On Honeysuckle heading back into town, I switched into my big ring in front and dropped my chain -- shit! Stopped and fixed it, no big deal, but made a mental note to be aware of my shifting and not do any cross-chaining (didn't think I was, so was surprised when the chain dropped).

Looked for my fam as I came back into town but didn't see them, oh well. LOVE riding back into town -- awesome crowd support makes you feel like you are riding in the TDF! Back out to Higgins Point, skipped Special Needs, and headed out of town, keeping things steady and easy. Riding along up Government I was drinking from my aero bottle when I heard my name and simultaneously saw my family -- not where I had thought they'd be. Yay!!! Shouted hellos and blew kisses.

Going down a hill out in the Hayden area I dropped my chain again. Shit!! I knew I was not cross-chaining so now was a little worried. I also was skipping some gears from time to time -- they weren't critical gears and usually on flatter sections, so it wasn't stressing me out, but now I was nervous about shifting into my big ring up front. As a result, I coasted a bit more than planned on many of the downhills, and stayed in the small ring. Riding up English Point I befriended a woman who is also a strong swimmer who was easing on the hills. We talked about getting passed endlessly on the bike by guys with their fancy bikes and wheels -- and how we'd see them on the run after they smashed themselves. Ha! Eventually I passed her, and found her again after I stopped to pee (yes, again).

I really didn't want to stay in the small ring the whole rest of the ride, and I found that if I was in the smallest ring in the back I could shift to the big ring in front w/o dropping the chain. So, I wasn't quite shifting as much as I'd like but it was working out. Finally realized chain-dropping could count toward my 4 things that go wrong. I'll take it, as it was pretty minor!

Felt pretty good the whole ride. It took me 2.5 hours -- literally -- to feel my toes. It did get warm out there but wasn't awful.

Drank 1.5 bottles of Infinit (900 cals), ate 2.5 or 3.5 fig newtons, ate some honey stinger waffle, switched to PB Perform around mile 80. Drank about 1.5 bottles of that. Eased up on anything the last part of the ride to keep tummy in check. Munched Tums a time or two out on the bike for good measure -- if tummy didn't feel 100% I'd eat Tums.
What would you do differently?:

Not much. I would have liked to have been under 7 hours and wondered where I could find a minute. Obviously, the gear/chain thing was annoying but it is what it is (bike had been adjusted just a few days prior, I had a new chain, maybe it's still settling in). I could have skipped the chat and hug with my friend, but that's more important than a minute. It's all good.
Transition 2
  • 04m 19s
Comments:

Was so happy to get to T2!! On the bike I was dreaming of a foot massage and wondered if my volunteer would be grossed out if I asked for one. Decided not to. Volunteer got my shoes off and out of the blue said, "I do foot massages, you know..." and she started rubbing my foot. Oh HEAVEN!!! I could have stayed there for ever. I asked her not to start as I'd never leave. But then she insisted on rubbing the second foot to make it even. Nice. Totally had to pee, and there was a short line, but I needed sunscreen so I had a woman lube me up while I waited. Peed (AGAIN) and I was off!!
What would you do differently?:

Nothing.
Run
  • 5h 01m 23s
  • 26.2 miles
  • 11m 30s  min/mile
Comments:

I tore my hamstring on April 8 and lost some training time and volume, obviously. As a result, I had scaled back my run expectations. I planned to aime for 10-11:00 miles, and to walk the aid stations. I tried to start slowly, kept trying to pull back. Everything felt fine. Thought I might have been light on bike nutrition so wanted to make sure I kept up with some calories. Ate a couple of chomps after about 1.5 miles, got some water and some ice chips. First lap I stuck to the plan and walked about 1 minute at each aid station. I took in PB Perform or water and carried ice with me to suck on in between. I could do this: Just run to the next aid station. Came to The Hill and decided I'd take it easy. Walked a bit of it, ran a bit of it. Made it over and wondered how far to the turn-around. It was MUCH farther than I planned!! And since it was all downhill I knew we'd be coming back up again. Yikes!! It is less steep on the back side, so I ran most of it.

Back into town on Lakeside drive my family was at the VO2 Inspiration Station. Yay!!! Bestowed hugs and kisses and was happy to see them. Had to take the very sad turn that people who need to run the 2nd lap need to take -- hard to run by the noise and mayhem of the finish and know it's still 2-3 hours away. Felt like the run through town was long, and that was sort-of demoralizing. But once I was back on the 2nd loop I knew exactly what needed to be done.

Saw my fam again at the VO2 tent, and the kiddos ran with me while my son interviewed me on video. So sweet!!

My definition of "aid staion walking" grew a bit, not surprisingly. Legs were feeling pretty spent. Came to The Hill again (mile 19?) and could not muster any running. Had to walk it. And mostly walk back up the other side -- ran a little. Knew at the top I had a 10K left. Seems so short, but oh-so-long...!!

It was getting tough out there, but I knew I had to do my best to stick with it. I checked my time and was trying to do some mental math to see if I'd break 5:00. Anyone who has done an IM knows how your brain doesn't function so well late in the day... I was trying to figure out the pace I'd need to hold, and it seemed doable, so I made that my goal. But oh, things were hurting. I started letting myself walk a little, but tried to stick to the plan of run to the aid stations. Then I decided I could have one additional walk break between aid stations. And there were some small slopes and such -- well, it was tough, but I really tried not to give in to the walk. I didn't -- I kept running as much as I could. Math was showing the 5:00 would be tough to hit. Oh well, it's just a number.

The last 5 miles were hard. My stomach wasn't feeling great and I wasn't sure what it needed. As a result I was trying a little of everything -- some coke, some chicken broth, just water, nothing, ice, PB Perform... Ate Tums, hung on. Get 'er done. Get 'er done. Forward progress.

Like last year, I was thrilled to take the finisher's turn. But I didn't have my giddyup in my step. I knew I wanted to savor the chute. As I was in the shoot, I saw my parents and gave them quick high-fives and kisses. High-fived everyone on my left side as I ran in. Crossed and was oh-so-happy!!!! DONE at last!!!
What would you do differently?:

Not tear a hamstring, but I did it on a fun run with my dog and my son, and if you don't have fun once in awhile, then why bother?!
Post race
Warm down:

Got my new hat. Got my shirt. Saw Spudone, exchanged some pleasantries. Signed up for a massage. Saw hub and kids. Wanted to sit down but knew I wouldn't get up. Got my massage (ahhhh). Then I just sort-of broke down and kept weeping. Cried with my fam. Sat in a medical chair (not in the tent) and had an awesome chat with a volunteer while I cried and he pumped me up larger than life. He did the race last year. He knew how I felt. He was awesome. Got some chips and pizza, met up with the fam, and headed back to the hotel for a hot tub, some food, and some restless sleep. DONE.

What limited your ability to perform faster:

The hamstring tear didn't help, but it is what it is and I still did what I aimed to do, which was not puke on the run and go faster than last year. I PR'ed by 20 minutes and the run course changes made the run much more difficult.

Event comments:

I love this race. I won't be doing it again for a long time, if ever, but it is truly amazing. It's so incredibly beautiful and the crowd support is truly amazing.




Last updated: 2010-09-04 12:00 AM
Swimming
01:05:34 | 4224 yards | 01m 33s / 100yards
Age Group: 5/141
Overall: 0/2351
Performance: Good
Suit: Full sleeves
Course: Mass beach start. Two loops, exit the water to run over timing mat and back in for the second loop.
Start type: Run Plus:
Water temp: 55F / 13C Current: Low
200M Perf. Average Remainder: Good
Breathing: Good Drafting: Below average
Waves: Navigation: Good
Rounding: Good
T1
Time: 05:43
Performance: Good
Cap removal: Average Helmet on/
Suit off:
Wetsuit stuck? Run with bike:
Jump on bike:
Getting up to speed: Below average
Biking
07:01:13 | 112 miles | 15.95 mile/hr
Age Group: 39/141
Overall: 0/2351
Performance: Good
Wind: Little
Course: Two loops -- flat out and back with one hill (.5 miles @ 6%), then out to Hayden lake for some hills and some rollers, then back into town, repeat.
Road: Smooth Dry Cadence:
Turns: Cornering:
Gear changes: Below average Hills: Average
Race pace: Comfortable Drinks: Just right
T2
Time: 04:19
Overall: Good
Riding w/ feet on shoes
Jumping off bike
Running with bike
Racking bike
Shoe and helmet removal
Running
05:01:23 | 26.2 miles | 11m 30s  min/mile
Age Group: 39/141
Overall: 0/2351
Performance: Good
Course: Mostly flat with one hill, up and over and down the other side, then turn around and come up and then go down. Out-and-back twice (meaning do the hills twice!) and through town.
Keeping cool Good Drinking Just right
Post race
Weight change: %
Overall: Good
Mental exertion [1-5] 4
Physical exertion [1-5] 4
Good race? Yes
Evaluation
Course challenge Just right
Organized? Yes
Events on-time? Yes
Lots of volunteers? Yes
Plenty of drinks? Yes
Post race activities: Good
Race evaluation [1-5] 5

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2011-06-28 4:30 PM

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Master
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Subject: Ironman Coeur d'Alene


2011-06-28 4:44 PM
in reply to: #3571709

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Pro
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Subject: RE: Ironman Coeur d'Alene
Didn't read.... just wanted to be the 1st of your friends to post!
2011-06-28 4:50 PM
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Pro
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Wherever the trail takes me, WA.
Subject: RE: Ironman Coeur d'Alene

Great race!  You have such a good work ethic when it comes to training!  You should be proud of the day!  Hammy and all this year you PR'D!!!  I am proud of you!!  I loved watching the video's your kids did.  It seems like they REALLY ENJOY watching the event!  You are lucky!  

 

Is it safe to assume we will start seeing you on Tuesday Night Trails runs now???



Edited by swbkrun 2011-06-28 4:50 PM
2011-06-28 5:40 PM
in reply to: #3571744

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Subject: RE: Ironman Coeur d'Alene
Great race, great race report! Congratulations on a successful race and a big PR! I'm so glad the day went your way!!
2011-06-28 5:52 PM
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Master
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Silverton, Oregon
Subject: RE: Ironman Coeur d'Alene
Loved, loved, loved the report, Kyla! I am so proud of you! A 20' PR is huge, especially with the injury and new run course. You are setting such a wonderful example for your children! You all are so lucky to have each other and to get to share this amazing experience with each other! The videos are awesome too!!!
2011-06-28 5:55 PM
in reply to: #3571709

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Master
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Almaden Valley, San Jose, California
Subject: RE: Ironman Coeur d'Alene

As I said before - awesome job.  Loved the rr.....my suggestion for more speed, and my ONLY one,  PEE LESS!!!!!

So glad I didn't have those hills!!



2011-06-28 6:42 PM
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Expert
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Portland, OR
Subject: RE: Ironman Coeur d'Alene
Congrats on an awesome race! It was fun meeting you
2011-06-28 7:14 PM
in reply to: #3571709

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Extreme Veteran
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NW Georgia
Subject: RE: Ironman Coeur d'Alene

Great job, Kyla!  I enjoyed following you online - it gave me something to do sitting in the hospital room all day.  Congrats on finishing and on the 20 minute PR!!

2011-06-28 9:00 PM
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Champion
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marietta
Subject: RE: Ironman Coeur d'Alene

now go slack..... 

 

AWESOME JOB!!  love the attitude! onward!!!!

2011-06-28 10:07 PM
in reply to: #3571709

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Veteran
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WA
Subject: RE: Ironman Coeur d'Alene
Great work!
2011-06-28 11:35 PM
in reply to: #3571709

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Elite
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san francisco
Subject: RE: Ironman Coeur d'Alene

Aw, I wanted to be first to post.  Steve, you suck. 

Kyla, you are so amazing, such an inspiration and always so positive...that chain dropping would have sucked the smile right off of my face but you just kept keeping on.  Ironman X2, an incredible journey that was not without it's challenges, you crushed it, woman!!!!  You're the bestest. 



2011-06-28 11:37 PM
in reply to: #3572098

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Extreme Veteran
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, Utah
Subject: RE: Ironman Coeur d'Alene
I loved your report. you did totally awesome.
2011-06-29 7:16 AM
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Champion
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Subject: RE: Ironman Coeur d'Alene

Congrats!

Love your attitude and perspective while racing.

I agree potty breaks x4 > 1 minute

Ironmans are so amazing...enjoy your post IM time!

2011-06-29 10:10 AM
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Expert
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Auburn AL
Subject: RE: Ironman Coeur d'Alene

Kyla

 

Great race report.  Pretty inspiring ... way to push it to the end. 

2011-06-29 12:28 PM
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Pro
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Norwalk, Connecticut
Subject: RE: Ironman Coeur d'Alene

Awesome job!!!  Great report, i love well written honest reports!!!  Congrats on the PR!!!

 

2011-06-29 12:30 PM
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Expert
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Roswell, GA
Subject: RE: Ironman Coeur d'Alene
Nice race report, good job out there!


2011-06-29 2:34 PM
in reply to: #3571709

Master
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, California
Subject: RE: Ironman Coeur d'Alene

Nice work Kyla!  You and I were sort of in the same boat with the leg injuries toward the end of our training.  I'm glad you fought your way through the marathon and improved on your time.  And your swim was excellent!  By the 2nd loop of the swim, I felt like my form was still ok but my hands were so cold I couldn't hold my fingers together anymore.

2011-06-29 4:01 PM
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Master
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Horseheads, NY
Subject: RE: Ironman Coeur d'Alene

Great race report.  You may just be the most positive person I have never met Smile  That's awesome. 

"...it's only a number...", "...if you don't have fun...", "...it's all good..." - all great Kylaisms!

Your accomplishment is only the capstone on the impressive journey to your race.

Congratulations and enjoy your summer!

 

2011-06-29 8:43 PM
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2011-06-29 10:30 PM
in reply to: #3571709

Elite
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Calgary,AB,Canada
Subject: RE: Ironman Coeur d'Alene
Great job Kyla. You might have been able to go a wee bit faster if you were hydrated. From this report it doesn't sound like you drank enough. Ha.Great 20 min improvement. Now relax and enjoy the summer with the kiddos.
2011-06-29 10:33 PM
in reply to: #3571709

Expert
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Noosa
Subject: RE: Ironman Coeur d'Alene
Great race! You looked so relaxed on the video clips, I'm sure you were hurting bad but you didn't show it.


2011-06-30 6:31 AM
in reply to: #3571709

Champion
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Verona WI--Ironman Bike Country!
Subject: RE: Ironman Coeur d'Alene

Kyla--awesome second IM!!!!  You were so positive working through that hamstring injury this Spring and you carried that attitude right through the whole race.  From the cold swim, to the dropped chain, to the touchy stomach.  You did it with style and got a HUGE PR to boot.  Simply stellar!

2011-06-30 6:59 AM
in reply to: #3571709

Expert
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Lansdale, PA.
Subject: RE: Ironman Coeur d'Alene
Great RR, Great job in cold water and great job on the new P.R. ! Way to go Ironman!
2011-06-30 2:22 PM
in reply to: #3571709

Expert
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CHARLOTTESVILLE, Virginia
Subject: RE: Ironman Coeur d'Alene
Awesome job on the PR!  Great race.  I'm in awe of your swim time. 
2011-06-30 2:38 PM
in reply to: #3571709

Extreme Veteran
362
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Subject: RE: Ironman Coeur d'Alene
Awesome effort on your second IM.  Congratulations!  Your IM RR's are always inspirational to read.
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