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Ironman Coeur d'Alene - TriathlonFull Ironman


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Coeur d'Alene, Idaho
United States
World Triathlon Corporation
58F / 14C
Overcast
Total Time = 11h 35m 33s
Overall Rank = 410/2797
Age Group = 40-44
Age Group Rank = 86/596
Pre-race routine:

Up at 3am to the sound of a thunder storm. Had a cup of coffee and watched it pass by just in time not to effect the race. Normal morning routine and took breakfast for the ride to the race site. Really a nice morning.
Event warmup:

Watched the Pros start then put the wet suit on. I heard them announce no pre swim warm up. What? That was a bummer. I did go into the water and put my face in. The water was perfect for a wet suit swim. I didn't wear a neoprene cap or booties and was fine.
Swim
  • 1h 14m 58s
  • 4224 yards
  • 01m 46s / 100 yards
Comments:

This swim was CRAZY. I had a plan to start wide and stay wide until I hit the turn. I wasn't concerned about the extra distance, just wanted some open water. I lined up to the far right and listened to the National Anthem. I love the few minutes before the start. I reflected on all the work it took to get here and was smiling ear to ear. The cannon went off and into the water I went. I had no choice but to just swim with the crowd. We were pushed toward the inside way earlier than I wanted. Not a great line but no way to change it. I took a punch straight to my right goggle really hard. I was surprised by the closed fist that did it but the swimmer popped his head up to see if I was OK. I waved and on we went, I thought it was a classy move. Coming back on the first lap, I found a large pocket of open water right in the center of the pack. I really stretched out and got to swim my pace. It was my favorite part of the swim. My first lap was 5 minutes faster than the second I believe because that was the last open water I ever saw. There was contact and crowd the rest of the swim. I have never swam in anything like it. I never felt anxiety about the crowd but it did hurt the stroke. We caught some chop and wind on the second lap but nothing terrible. The crowd at the swim finish was LOUD!. I was pumped going into T1.
What would you do differently?:

Where is a good place to line up?
Transition 1
  • 04m 41s
Comments:

Trotted up the beach, strippers took off the suit in a whoosh, grabbed my bag and into the tent. Moved with purpose and out the other side. I put my shoes on in the tent and ran through the grass. I was going to leave my shoes clipped in but because of the rain I decided to put them in the bag. Mud and grass got into the clip and I BARELY got clipped into the pedals. I had problems the rest of the ride with that shoe but nothing too serious.
What would you do differently?:

Leave the shoes clipped in on the bike.
Bike
  • 6h 12m 44s
  • 112 miles
  • 18.03 mile/hr
Comments:

I went out with the mindset of being comfortable. I never had to get out of the saddle on the climbs and never really pushed. Coasted on the descents and tried to stay on my nutrition plan. The solid food really worked well for me. I had a couple guys pass by me when I was eating and they commented on how good my Uncrustables looked :). I hit a gel between the sandwiches and kept sipping on the bottle the entire ride. Coming back into CdA was the fastest I had ever gone on a bike. It was a little terrifying but fun when I survived. I had to stop to pee 4-5 times but all were pretty quick stops. I know the bike is still my weakest leg but I felt much improved. This is a beautiful hilly course! We had some head wind going out but the temperature was so nice that neither ever bothered me. I am not sure what the old bike course was like, but this was a very nice ride.
What would you do differently?:

If I want to drop more time, bike fitness is it.
Transition 2
  • 01m 41s
Comments:

I was ready to run when I hit the ground off the bike. Slipped shoes and hat on and was out of the tent. I had to pee but decided to do it at the first aid station. If I had done it in T1, I would have broke 4 hours on the marathon:)
What would you do differently?:

nothing
Run
  • 4h 01m 29s
  • 26.2 miles
  • 09m 13s  min/mile
Comments:

Felt good to be off the bike. Legs felt fresh and the crowd and volunteers had me excited to be on the course. Stopped to pee at the first aid station and saw 7:40 on my watch. Oh, that is too fast. Told myself to calm down and relax. I settled in and just cruised. The plan was to live off the course and take what looked good. The sun came out and it felt great. I started to do the math and knew 12 hours was within reach. My initial thought was to get through the first loop in 2 hours and I should be able to hold on enough the second loop to make it. I started seeing people I knew racing and getting updates on where everyone was and how they were doing. Found out one of my friends had his helmet stolen out of his T1 bag. A volunteer let him use his, another example of how awesome the volunteers were. We are going to look through every picture to try to find that helmet. At the turnaround I saw the family, gave wifey a big kiss and got big smiles and thumbs up from the kids. Got a little misty there. Ran through special needs, nothing special needed. Headed back out for the last loop. I was surprised to be still holding pace. I was slowing down but really very little. It was getting a little warmer so I was taking anything that a volunteer was holding. I started taking cola, perform and water at every aid station and a gel every 30 minutes. I only stopped running once during the marathon to pee at mile 1. Made the last turn toward home and pictured my family there. I actually sped up the last 6 miles. I kept telling myself "relax" and "big heart" (a BT friend had written this and it just popped in there over and over). I really felt great and couldn't believe I had a shot to PR on a much tougher course that B2B. With about 2 miles to go on a slight hill I started to push the pace. My hamstring and calf on my left leg started to cramp. "RELAX!!" I told myself. It was on the verge of locking up the rest of the run. I found a nice pace and pushed through but it was close. Made the last turn onto Sherman Ave. Everything anyone has ever said about Sherman Ave is true. It is the most amazing finish to a race I have ever done. I was running alone and the crowd was rocking it. I was smiling from ear to ear the entire last mile. Right before the finish I saw my family and saw that my 2 sisters had come down from Montana. Then at the finish line I looked up at the clock. I was so caught up in the last 6 miles, I hadn't been looking at my watch. 11:35:33, a 10 minute PR!!!!

I stopped running and a catcher started to walk me through the chute. There went the hamstring and the calf. Completely locked up. The catcher was a young kid about 18. I think I scared him because he just sort of walk off. I peg legged it to a chair and got asked if I needed medical. Nope, tent too far :) Tried to eat but it didn't stay down. I wanted to wait for the Vegas people to finish but I had to get out of that area. Got to the family and saw everyone I knew from Vegas finish... AWESOME! Happy for every one of them.
What would you do differently?:

I so enjoyed this marathon. It was absolutely gorgeous and I wouldn't change a thing.
Post race
Warm down:

It took a while to get right. Chocolate milk seemed to be the answer. Once the stomach settled down, I was able to stretch out a bit. The last Vegas athlete I knew finished at 9pm. I had a few hours at the finish line to move around and rehydrate. Felt pretty good by the drive back.

Event comments:

I recommend this race. It is gorgeous and challenging and I had an amazing experience. All of the people I talked to absolutely loved the course. Thumbs up to CdA!




Last updated: 2012-06-27 12:00 AM
Swimming
01:14:58 | 4224 yards | 01m 46s / 100yards
Age Group: 132/596
Overall: 724/2797
Performance: Average
Suit: 2XU
Course: 2 loops counter clockwise: 900 meters out, 200 meter left and 900 meters back
Start type: Run Plus: Shot
Water temp: 59F / 15C Current: Medium
200M Perf. Good Remainder: Average
Breathing: Average Drafting: Average
Waves: Average Navigation: Average
Rounding: Below average
T1
Time: 04:41
Performance: Average
Cap removal: Good Helmet on/
Suit off:
Wetsuit stuck? Run with bike: Yes
Jump on bike: No
Getting up to speed: Below average
Biking
06:12:44 | 112 miles | 18.03 mile/hr
Age Group: 144/596
Overall: 656/2797
Performance: Good
Wind: Some
Course: 2 loops rolling with some steeper climbs going out 95. I was in my last gear 4 climbs about 2 miles each. Beautiful course and fast coming back into CdA.
Road: Smooth Dry Cadence:
Turns: Cornering:
Gear changes: Hills:
Race pace: Comfortable Drinks: Just right
T2
Time: 01:41
Overall: Good
Riding w/ feet on shoes Good
Jumping off bike Good
Running with bike Good
Racking bike
Shoe and helmet removal Good
Running
04:01:29 | 26.2 miles | 09m 13s  min/mile
Age Group: 0/596
Overall: 0/2797
Performance: Good
Course: 2 loops out and back, rolling hills, beautiful view along the lake.
Keeping cool Average Drinking Just right
Post race
Weight change: %
Overall: Good
Mental exertion [1-5] 5
Physical exertion [1-5] 5
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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2012-06-27 4:24 PM

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Expert
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Henderson, NV
Subject: Ironman Coeur d'Alene


2012-06-27 4:47 PM
in reply to: #4283668

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Master
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2000500
Subject: RE: Ironman Coeur d'Alene

First!!!!

I'm so glad you had a great race, Chet!! Even more happy that the whole experience was top-notch! You brought back lots of memories for me!! The swim crowd *is* awesome! The swim *does* suck! The run *is* gorgeous! Sherman Avenue *is* a feeling to behold!!

You trained hard, you raced well, and you earned every second of that 10-minute PR. Congratulations!!!!!!!! Now, enjoy the summer!!!



Edited by kkcbelle 2012-06-27 4:50 PM
2012-06-27 4:49 PM
in reply to: #4283668

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Expert
924
500100100100100
Western WI
Subject: RE: Ironman Coeur d'Alene
Chet - looks like you had a FANTASTIC day!!  Congrats on a strong swim, a smart bike and a killer run!!  Very well done, friend!!  And CONGRATS on your PR!!!  Whoot Whoot!!
2012-06-27 4:51 PM
in reply to: #4283668

Veteran
597
500252525
Subject: RE: Ironman Coeur d'Alene

Nice job! that was the worstest swim EVAR!! lol

2012-06-27 5:03 PM
in reply to: #4283668

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Elite
3072
200010002525
san francisco
Subject: RE: Ironman Coeur d'Alene

"Find that strong place where your big heart resides and relish the whole day!"

Oh, Chet, you did it!!!  Okay, did I just quote myself????  I love your report of the day, you are so amazing and yes, always pee in T1, were you not listening last summer???

I'm thinking you had a sub-4 marathon, most certainly!  Good job, Ironman X2!!!! 

2012-06-27 5:10 PM
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Champion
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marietta
Subject: RE: Ironman Coeur d'Alene
AWESOME JOB MAN!!!!   great report.  heck of a run!!!


2012-06-27 6:45 PM
in reply to: #4283737

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Subject: RE: Ironman Coeur d'Alene
Fantastic all around!!! So happy for you, Chet! Great report - thanks for sharing your day with us!
2012-06-27 11:12 PM
in reply to: #4283668

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Pro
4100
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Wherever the trail takes me, WA.
Subject: RE: Ironman Coeur d'Alene
That damn run!  Great day my friend.  Very good race.   And a great report.
2012-06-28 7:00 AM
in reply to: #4283668

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Elite
3060
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N Carolina
Subject: RE: Ironman Coeur d'Alene
Congrats on the PR!!!!!!
2012-06-28 9:15 AM
in reply to: #4283668

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Extreme Veteran
347
10010010025
, Utah
Subject: RE: Ironman Coeur d'Alene

Awesome race. Congrats on the PR.  And surviving the bumpy swim.

 

Tiana

2012-06-28 12:23 PM
in reply to: #4283668

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Extreme Veteran
555
5002525
Carrollton, TX
Subject: RE: Ironman Coeur d'Alene
Great job!!!


2012-06-28 5:02 PM
in reply to: #4283668

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Regular
641
50010025
Chicago
Subject: RE: Ironman Coeur d'Alene
Great job, Chet! I really like how you described your reflection before the swim start.
2012-06-28 9:25 PM
in reply to: #4283668

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Master
2621
2000500100
Almaden Valley, San Jose, California
Subject: RE: Ironman Coeur d'Alene
Loved the rr - brought back wonderful CdA memories!  Great job on the race - you nailed it all the way around.  Lots of fun to track you - great finish!!!
2012-07-02 12:39 PM
in reply to: #4283668

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Extreme Veteran
668
5001002525
NW Georgia
Subject: RE: Ironman Coeur d'Alene

Awesome race!!  Great job with the race report as well.  Congrats on the 10 minute PR and crushing the course with a smile!

2012-07-10 1:57 PM
in reply to: #4283668

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Regular
115
100
Las Vegas
Subject: RE: Ironman Coeur d'Alene

Nice report. I also PR'd there, but still have a long way to go to catch you.

Also, I'm from Vegas. I do not know anyone here that does IM's. Are you in a club? If so can you get me some info, it would be nice to train with peeps.

[email protected]

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