I am about two months late to this party but I had a few words about Ironman CDA 70.3- so here goes:
Coeur d’Alene, Idaho is one of the most beautiful places on earth. It reminds me a lot of Lake Tahoe without the elevation. After the health issues I have had the past months it felt good to go race somewhere I love with people I love! I had been working with Katie of Own Nutrition for almost two months to address my thyroid troubles (SHE ROCKS!!!) and felt like I was fueling properly (for once!)
Coeur D’Alene was my first Ironman in 2007 so it provides some sort of nostalgia and the town always calls me back. I have met some good friends here and had some demons while racing too. (this was the only Ironman that I passed out and in and was wheeled away in an Ironman – you know those pesky forms you fill out and sign your life away? Yeah, those. They can save your life too!)
Having opened the 70.3 distance in this town seemed like a no brainer to me as well as a little course recon and getaway.
The water was a cool 62 but with a wetsuit felt perfect. I know I might get a lot of flack for saying this but I really love the rolling start. I am an early bird that likes to go and hates waiting around so when it was time to start- I went!
It was a picture perfect day. There was no chop not a cloud in the sky and I seemed to be swimming well. I have been REALLY working on my swim for about one year, swimming with a high school swim team that I am at least confident swimming now. I think that 10,000 hour rule applies here because I think I have swam at least 10,000 hours this past year.
Exiting the water and running through transition seemed long but whatever GET ON YOUR BIKE!
I seemed to be going with the flow and was EXTREMELY HAPPY ALL DAY which was weird but I will take it. Maybe I am growing up 🙂 (now maybe my housemates would disagree with that as I did PASS out when waking up that morning (weird I know- I think I got up too fast and saw stars) but I put it out of my head and never thought of it again.
The first of many mishaps happened when my aero helmets sunglasses popped out while putting on my helmet. No biggie just put your sunnies on and GO. (Really who was this?) So if you are wondering why my sunglasses are on with that helmet. That is why. AND PS The Tralyx ROCK!
I was dry by the time I hit the little climb on Higgins Point and was seriously loving the day. My plan of fueling both in training and racing was working perfectly. I never had a low point and was so damn happy all day. It was a breakthrough race for me for sure because I rolled with the punches, gave props to everybody I saw and could not stop smiling the whole ride. I had momentary amnesia because I was REALLY happy it was only one loop not TWO but whatever right? THIS IS FUN!
Started the run and high fived as many people as possible, again forgot that my name was on my bib and thought WOW? HOW DO THEY KNOW MY NAME? Ran out through the park, loved the addition around the city center and went out to the BIG hill. Again, continued perfect fueling and drinking water at every aid station and smiled right up until mile 12. That last mile took forever and I felt like I was making no forward progress but then here comes the finish and just like that is over.
Thank you Stephanie Artis and Sean Dulany for your vision! We are doing it! Thank you Rudy Project, Folsom Bike, Salming Running, Fluid, Sacramento Running Association, Nature’s Bakery, Hoffart Chiropractic, Tri Scottsdale and FREEPLAY MAGAZINE for your continued Love and Support. I would also be remiss to not mention my coach and Friend Michelle Simmons.
Guess what? Ironman Coeur D’Alene is in less than 36 hours 🙂
