From Kona to Ironman Coeur d'Alene

The journey to Ironman Coeur d'Alene began a year ago at a hotel near the bike course of Ironman Kona. Knowing how Ironman races fill up close to the opening of the online registration I knew I'd have to do it from this hotel room. Thus the title of this post. The year that I dedicated to preparing my body for the Ironman had its highs and its lows. The shortened list of lows included: disappointing times at the Harvest Moon half-iron triathlon, three marathons where I struggled to finish them under 5 hours, vomiting on the second run during the Atomic man duathlon, plus failed training goals and weight loss goals. Some of the highs included the establishment of a successful energy conservation plan at the Superfrog triathlon, a personal best at Jay Benson Triathlon, meeting certain training plan objectives, establishing a reasonable nutritional plan, plus meeting a special lady who is attempting to understand this obsession with the sport of triathlon.

Before I begin the formal race report I'd like to thank those along the way who have helped me reach this longtime goal of mine. There are those who brought me into this sport after I had long past considered that an Ironman was not something I was going to do in this lifetime, specifically, Kai Kadau and Partha Rangaswamy. Then there are those who got me out there to train even when it would have been much easier for me to back out. Especially when I realized that I was severely behind the training schedule laid out for me, namely, Rob Aulwes and Tim "Bad" Gallegos. My success can also be attributed to Martin for preparing a training plan that I could work with as well as introducing me to energy conservation strategies. Then there are the numerous others who knowingly or unknowingly provided me with encouragement along the way.

Pre-race

As the race date approached there were many things flying through my head all evidence of the fact that I had a good dose of pre-race jitters, nervousness, and taper anxiety. Questions running through my head were things like what do I put in my special needs bags? For that matter what is a special needs bag? Do I ride on my carbon tubular wheels or do I go with the clinchers? How do I make sure that I eat and drink enough while not eating or drinking too much? What are my specific fluid intake requirements? How much electrolyte do I need to take in? How do I avoid the urge to hammer hard on the bike where I feel comfortable and still retain enough strength and energy to complete the marathon? Do I need to get the neoprene swim booties and swim hat on account of the reported lake temperature being in the mid-50s? Am I ready? And the list goes on and on.

When I would tell people especially my family members, there would be this long pause followed by "Okay!," "Are you nuts?," "You are crazy," or my favorite quote from my step-father, "Is the race sponsored by a mortician?"

When I got into the tapering portion of the training plan, I struggled with wanting to put in that extra workout to "make up" for my missed workouts in the prior weeks. Realizing that it would take approximately two days for me to drive up to Coeur d'Alene, ID and that if I stayed in Los Alamos I would be all the more tempted to get another long ride in. So on Sunday, June 15th I began my journey to Coeur d'Alene. The goal was to arrive at my special lady's sister's house on Wednesday June 18th. In addition this would give me time to relax along the way and settle into the final week of training approximately 4 hours worth. Also it gave me an opportunity to exercise some mental training for the upcoming race. Namely, I was going to try to exercise my plan of energy conservation in driving up to Coeur d'Alene by focusing on minimizing gas consumption in my not so eco-friendly Ford Explorer. So when the hills loomed ahead of me on the road instead of gunning the engine to crest the hill I allowed the vehicle to crest the hills a the lowest motor rpms while maintaining a sufficient speed. This was going to be my plan to apply during the Ironman.

On Thursday, June 19th, I took a 45 minute swim in the lake. The realization that I had failed water walking training as all exposed body parts cooled. At this time I was thankful for having that little extra "fat" insulation upon my body. Later in the day I stood in line to pick up my race packet and pick up my souvenirs for the race. Looking around me everywhere there were people running, riding, and swimming. Well this did not help my nerves one bit so I decided to drive the bike course. In driving the bike course it was definitely apparent that the bike course would be one of the most challenging bike courses I have ever raced on with the exception of the Fat Man course here. The course had lots of curves and "rolling" hills with grades approaching 7 or 8 percent in places. This caused me further anxiety which prompted a call to Clay. Thanks Clay for settling my nerves and giving me a strategy in dealing with these hills.

Friday, I found a quiet stretch of road to both run and ride upon. For those of you unaware of the Ironman experience, on Friday night a banquet is prepared for all the racers and inspirational videos of the Ironman experience is shared to provide inspiration. Some of the inspirational people present at the banquet included a double amputee who competed in Ironman Kona. Also present were some people who in the last 8 months preparing for this race had lost 86 pounds. There were those who were of the older generation still getting out there and racing. On my way home my brother-in-law leaked a secret to me as a result of my worrying about my sister. My mother was on her way with my sister. Talk about the emotions that began to flow. I would have watching me the following family members: father, step-mother, mother, sister, niece, nephew, and girl friend. What a crowd. Four of which had decided on Wednesday or Thursday to come up from Sonora, CA and Reno, NV.

Saturday found me trying to act surprised at my mothers presence, picking up my girlfriend from the Spokane airport, enjoying all the family members present, and worrying about what they all would be doing while I was racing on Sunday.

The Race

At 4:15 am I found myself on the way to the race course. Complete with all of my food that I had prepared for the race. The day dawned with low settling fog. I took this to mean that the the race would not have a lot of wind. Later I would realize this was a misread of the weather of the day. At the race venue I prepared my bike and myself for the race.

At 6:25 am the Pros were off while the amateurs were funneled to the beach. It was a slow walking mass of neoprene moving to the beach for the mass start at 7 am. Knowing that I struggle with the water I wandered to the outer flanks and to the back of the pack. There I tried to pick out a line to follow. Well my following the line did not work out as was evidenced by my getting to know the lifeguard who told me which way I needed to go. Thanks to the life guards directions I found my way back to the course. On course I realized I was with people as the thrash fest resumed. Done with the first lap I looked at my watch approx 56 minutes. Back in the lake with an idea as to where the course was I was done with the swim after 1:46. Thus my second lap was 50 minutes. Guess my adventure on the first lap took an extra 6 minutes. Yes I need to work on my directional skills, as well as, my swimming speed.


The transition area was well equipped with many volunteers. The wetsuit came off easier than it went on. They helped me change into my bike jersey over the wet body. Upon exiting the changing tent a couple of ladies applied ample sunscreen. It felt good being pampered and cared for like no other race that I have been too.
It was now time to bike. I settled into a comfortable pace for me passing numerous people along the way. There was a temptation try to make up my lost time but echoing in my mind was Martin's and Clay's advice conserve your energy. Fuel up. The course took you down an edge of the lake with beautiful scenery then you turned around to head out toward Hayden Lake. On the first lap, I settled into a habit of eating, drinking, and riding. The uphills drove the heart rate up while the downhills I coasted and let the heart rate drop low. Going up I'd pass a particular lady, going down the lady would pass me. I had to comment on this game we were playing. On the flats though I settled into a rhythm which left her behind. She caught me while I took my stop at the porta potty. Filling up the back of my jersey with a new supply of food at the special needs stop. On the way I saw three pros on the run course with Victor Zymetsev in third closing in on the second place runner. Around the center of town, I passed my cheering section where my sandwich fell out of my back pocket. I wouldn't know it was gone until I started up to the hilly portion of the course. Realizing it was missing I decided the clif bar was the alternative. Taking two bites of the clif I turned one of the technical corners to be faced with an major uphill. What timing I had? The remaining portion of the bike had similar poor timings. But I tried to find humor in the situation and remain cool.

Into the changing tent to change into the tri-jersey. Let's see do I have every thing for the run. Yep. Out of the changing tent and to the run, I went. Over the timing mat, oh but wait where is my race number? The photo captures the panic of it all.

The first half of the marathon took approximately 2 hours 30 minutes. I was feeling great. At mile 14 the cramps began to set in. My left hamstring and my right calf. I had a solution in my special needs bag with the electrolytes present there. Well I got to the special needs area open up my bag to find no electrolytes. So I downed a gel and some pretzels and soon the cramps were gone. I was feeling relatively strong. As I passed mile 18, the normal area where my prior marathons deteriorate yet I was feeling still very great. At mile 20, I look at the time on my watch and realize I could get close to a 14 hour Ironman race if I keep this current pace. At 4 km to go my body began to revolt. So much for my 14 hour race. Walking about a mile and a half I made my way toward the finish line.


About three quarters of a mile left, I decide I must finish this race in style. I begin to run. My sister and nephew greet me at the final turn. They begin to run with me but seeing finish line and not wanting to be disqualified. I shewed them away to run to the finish. Doing a victory flight, a race volunteer sprints to get waiting niece. The niece charges me grabbing my hand throwing me slightly off balance. She then changes direction for the finish line and we cross in step.

Post race included willing volunteers to monitor my health and well being but beyond waited my sweetie who escorted me to the massage tent. This was a sweet end to my "Sweet 16-triathlon."

For those of you who thrive on a challenge, are willing to contribute many hours to training, want to experience the joy of accomplishment, discover the limits of your own body, experience the best supported race you'll ever do, ... I thoroughly recommend adding an Ironman to your race calendar in the future. I am planning on doing another one in the future.