Ironman Coeur d'Alene was my second IM finish and this time I did it right. Not perfect, but I knew what I wanted and went after it. My way. And all out.
My bike was shipped off using Tri-bike Transport from Colorado Multi Sport on Monday. One last ride to get in and I couldn't resist taking my mountain bike out for an easy spin. Its the thing I miss most about all this IM training and I've been avoiding it because with my luck I'd endo and dislocate a shoulder or something. Somehow I didn't and it felt soooo good.
Thursday morning was our flight to Spokane. My buddy Jesse drove out from Mpls to race and we were able to get a home stay with his uncle who lives in Rathburn - 20 minute drive into CDA. Unfortunately Thursday, Friday, and Saturday was off and on rain. Ugh. Just like Napa. We drove the bike course and did a warmup ride a long the lake where the run course mirrored the bike course. Got soaked on the ride. Ugh. Just like Napa.
Now here's the good stuff. Somehow, miraculously, Sunday morning dawned clear and 48 degrees. I lined up about 2/3 of the way to the right and about halfway back from the water. We were all standing around and trying to listen to the muffled 'wah wah wah' of the loudspeaker. Someone thought they heard 30 seconds but no countdown. Then BOOM! The cannon goes off. We all look around at each other, shrug our shoulders, and run for the water.
It took about 10 steps into the water and I knew this was like nothing I had ever experienced before. I've done wave starts of 100+ and I did a time trial start (2x2x2...) at IM Louisville. But this!?! Getting bumped around a few times is part of the game. Getting elbowed in the jaw, punched in the side, climbing over other swimmers and being half drown for 1000 meters straight was a whole different animal. Things never strung out like most tri's but I settled in and just had to fight the waves. For some reason the waves came in at one foot, one foot, rogue three footer, back to the one footers. Only about 1 in 3 attempts at sighting let you see a bouy - and only if you timed it right. At the far end it was constant 2-3 foot waves. As I rolled to take a breath, a big wave dropped out from under me and slammed the side of my head down on hte water. Ever been slapped over the ear where it popped and screwed up your equilibrium? Now imagine yourself 1000 meters from shore in rough water with hundreds of people trying to swim over you. The only positive was that every time I found clear water and could get into a rhythm, I saw myself quickly pull away from the group I was in and move forward until I ran into the next group. Made it through and was told my swim time - 1:15. crap. Goal #1 of 1:10 -lost. Was this going to be my day? Shake it off jonnyboy.
T1 went smooth and I headed out on the bike. Within 5 miles I had to pee. Something I have never been able to do while riding. Just ignore it. The first loop went just fine. The hills didn't seem as bad riding as they seemed when we drove it. Still a challenge though. The people of CDA definitely embrace this race. We didn't go more than about a half mile without meeting cheering fans. Bagpipers, cheerleaders, pirates, drunk college kids, drunk rednecks, tickle me elmo, they were all there clapping and yelling.
Finally at mile 60 I gave up and stopped to pee. Following this was my first big problem. I must have gotten dirt in my cleats because it took three miles to get my right foot clipped back in. Then I stopped at special needs and it took another ten miles to clip in a second time. This put strain on my left knee from doing one legged full circles and I felt it for the rest of the ride. Its amazing the jolt of energy seeing mile 101 - 11 miles to go can give you. I was spinning along at mile 109 in a narrow spot as we reentered town for the last time and trying to decide if I should ease back or push around a gal in front of me. Next thing I know there is a motorcycle next to me holding up a red card. I'll admit it - I was being lazy. Busted. 3 miles to go and I get a drafting penalty.
After stretching in the penalty tent and rolling into T2 for a 6:13 bike was when the people of CDA really showed their stuff. Again they showed off how to be the best volunteers ever. Strip off the bike shoes and slip on the runners. Out the door with nothing but a marathon left to do.
I knew I had to go easy. Everyone tells you that. Mile one - 8:35. crap. Ease up jonny. Mile 2 17:35. crap and a half. How can I go easier but speed up? HR at 132. My zone 2 doesn't even start til 135! Plus I have a shin splint in my right leg. It'll go away eventually. I hope. Ease up a little more and I'm rolling along at a 125 HR and doing just under 9 minute miles.
Might as well go with it. Things didn't really start to hurt until about mile 15. I'm at 2:20. That means I can do 10 minute miles with a 10 minute cushion to still hit my 12:00 goal. No problem right? Mile 18 and wow this hurts. This is where the internal arguements start. "just walk. no. just a little bit. I haven't yet why start? cause it hurts. too bad. you volunteered for this. How bad do you want it?" The bargaining resulted in agreeing to walk only at the steep uphill before the final turn around. Bad bargain. I began to walk the aid stations at mile 21 and kick it back in at the last trash signs. I was losing my time cushion quickly. Mile 23 was about where you started snaking through the neighborhoods again. I tried to convince myself to run the rest of the way. Everything hurt. everything. Still had to walk one of the last aid stations anyway. Mile 25 marker was hidden or not there. Neither was mile 26. Didn't matter. By that time you were around the last corner and the finish arch was in sight. And what a beautiful sight it was. Jog it in to the cheers, give the high fives, and listen to him announce "you are an Ironman!" 
11:56. "A" goal accomplished.
A special thanks to my team: Coach Mike Ricci of D3 Multisport, Nutritionist Craig David of Max Muscle Boulder, Kate Sandmeyer at Tri-Massage.com, and Dr. Ryan Goelz at Rock Creek Spine. And of course, my lovely wife Jean.
My bike was shipped off using Tri-bike Transport from Colorado Multi Sport on Monday. One last ride to get in and I couldn't resist taking my mountain bike out for an easy spin. Its the thing I miss most about all this IM training and I've been avoiding it because with my luck I'd endo and dislocate a shoulder or something. Somehow I didn't and it felt soooo good.
Thursday morning was our flight to Spokane. My buddy Jesse drove out from Mpls to race and we were able to get a home stay with his uncle who lives in Rathburn - 20 minute drive into CDA. Unfortunately Thursday, Friday, and Saturday was off and on rain. Ugh. Just like Napa. We drove the bike course and did a warmup ride a long the lake where the run course mirrored the bike course. Got soaked on the ride. Ugh. Just like Napa.
Now here's the good stuff. Somehow, miraculously, Sunday morning dawned clear and 48 degrees. I lined up about 2/3 of the way to the right and about halfway back from the water. We were all standing around and trying to listen to the muffled 'wah wah wah' of the loudspeaker. Someone thought they heard 30 seconds but no countdown. Then BOOM! The cannon goes off. We all look around at each other, shrug our shoulders, and run for the water.
It took about 10 steps into the water and I knew this was like nothing I had ever experienced before. I've done wave starts of 100+ and I did a time trial start (2x2x2...) at IM Louisville. But this!?! Getting bumped around a few times is part of the game. Getting elbowed in the jaw, punched in the side, climbing over other swimmers and being half drown for 1000 meters straight was a whole different animal. Things never strung out like most tri's but I settled in and just had to fight the waves. For some reason the waves came in at one foot, one foot, rogue three footer, back to the one footers. Only about 1 in 3 attempts at sighting let you see a bouy - and only if you timed it right. At the far end it was constant 2-3 foot waves. As I rolled to take a breath, a big wave dropped out from under me and slammed the side of my head down on hte water. Ever been slapped over the ear where it popped and screwed up your equilibrium? Now imagine yourself 1000 meters from shore in rough water with hundreds of people trying to swim over you. The only positive was that every time I found clear water and could get into a rhythm, I saw myself quickly pull away from the group I was in and move forward until I ran into the next group. Made it through and was told my swim time - 1:15. crap. Goal #1 of 1:10 -lost. Was this going to be my day? Shake it off jonnyboy.
T1 went smooth and I headed out on the bike. Within 5 miles I had to pee. Something I have never been able to do while riding. Just ignore it. The first loop went just fine. The hills didn't seem as bad riding as they seemed when we drove it. Still a challenge though. The people of CDA definitely embrace this race. We didn't go more than about a half mile without meeting cheering fans. Bagpipers, cheerleaders, pirates, drunk college kids, drunk rednecks, tickle me elmo, they were all there clapping and yelling.
Finally at mile 60 I gave up and stopped to pee. Following this was my first big problem. I must have gotten dirt in my cleats because it took three miles to get my right foot clipped back in. Then I stopped at special needs and it took another ten miles to clip in a second time. This put strain on my left knee from doing one legged full circles and I felt it for the rest of the ride. Its amazing the jolt of energy seeing mile 101 - 11 miles to go can give you. I was spinning along at mile 109 in a narrow spot as we reentered town for the last time and trying to decide if I should ease back or push around a gal in front of me. Next thing I know there is a motorcycle next to me holding up a red card. I'll admit it - I was being lazy. Busted. 3 miles to go and I get a drafting penalty.After stretching in the penalty tent and rolling into T2 for a 6:13 bike was when the people of CDA really showed their stuff. Again they showed off how to be the best volunteers ever. Strip off the bike shoes and slip on the runners. Out the door with nothing but a marathon left to do.
I knew I had to go easy. Everyone tells you that. Mile one - 8:35. crap. Ease up jonny. Mile 2 17:35. crap and a half. How can I go easier but speed up? HR at 132. My zone 2 doesn't even start til 135! Plus I have a shin splint in my right leg. It'll go away eventually. I hope. Ease up a little more and I'm rolling along at a 125 HR and doing just under 9 minute miles.
Might as well go with it. Things didn't really start to hurt until about mile 15. I'm at 2:20. That means I can do 10 minute miles with a 10 minute cushion to still hit my 12:00 goal. No problem right? Mile 18 and wow this hurts. This is where the internal arguements start. "just walk. no. just a little bit. I haven't yet why start? cause it hurts. too bad. you volunteered for this. How bad do you want it?" The bargaining resulted in agreeing to walk only at the steep uphill before the final turn around. Bad bargain. I began to walk the aid stations at mile 21 and kick it back in at the last trash signs. I was losing my time cushion quickly. Mile 23 was about where you started snaking through the neighborhoods again. I tried to convince myself to run the rest of the way. Everything hurt. everything. Still had to walk one of the last aid stations anyway. Mile 25 marker was hidden or not there. Neither was mile 26. Didn't matter. By that time you were around the last corner and the finish arch was in sight. And what a beautiful sight it was. Jog it in to the cheers, give the high fives, and listen to him announce "you are an Ironman!" 
11:56. "A" goal accomplished.
A special thanks to my team: Coach Mike Ricci of D3 Multisport, Nutritionist Craig David of Max Muscle Boulder, Kate Sandmeyer at Tri-Massage.com, and Dr. Ryan Goelz at Rock Creek Spine. And of course, my lovely wife Jean.
