Ironman Coeur D’Alene – June 24th, 2007

The Journey:

An Ironman starting line is goes deeper than the thousands of athletes that stand there waiting and wondering. Every athlete brings their story, their journey with determination and perseverance on their way to the finish line. This is what makes Ironman so special and this is why each of us want to share their story in the form of a race report along with endless chatter to anyone who will listen. My journey began without a real goal to finish an Ironman. Unlike others standing next to me I did not grow up watching Kona on NBC news, I never watched Julie Moss as a child and as of 14 months ago never had big plans to complete an Ironman. I simply thought it sounded like a good idea because a bunch of others decided that they wanted to complete one and I jumped on board for a journey I had no idea about what it looked liked or felt liked. I did however liked the idea of the structure and dedication an Ironman training schedule demanded and I enjoy going for long bike rides and morning masters plus I love to run. Prior to signing up for Ironman I had never ran more than 10 miles, I had done one century ride which was the weekend of CDA 2006 and I typically swam 2500 or so yards in a swim session. I knew my lack of experience with these disciplines would hinder me greatly but being the stubborn yet determine person I am I knew I could over come the fact that I was starting from behind. All I had since deciding that I would sign up was the fact I wanted to finish although I secretly had bigger dreams other than just finishing I also wanted to do well especially after a friend said “go in with the expectation just to finish” I did not really understand that at the time and wanted more. I originally set out to travel along this journey with the 24 week to Ironman published by the Ironman Corporation but soon enough Lee, Andrew and others convinced Carole Sharpless to train us as a group. At first I was not sure about the extra cost but with the advise of a mentor and the feeling in my guy I decided to go along with the Sharpee plan and boy am I glad I did. She kicked off Ironman training by stating that Ironman is NOT Funman or Easyman or Partyman she made it clear that it was hard work, long hours and would take a lot out of us. I knew it was going to take dedication and I was in, absolutely whole heartily in and I could not wait for the journey to unfold.

Ironman training started with getting our aerobic threshold (AT) done on the bike and on the run. I did my bike AT with Coach Chris and after it was done he made it very clear that my weakness starting out with Ironman training would be my aerobic ability. Boy did that hit me in the face. My aerobic ability? Isn’t that what Ironman is all about is our aerobic ability to produce energy? I went for my first ride using his heart rate recommendations and average 12 miles per hour on Columns drive (a flat road) with a HR near 120. Then we had our AT test for the run with Carole Sharpless followed by a post testing meeting to discuss what these numbers meant. At this meeting I learned that Chris had recommended a HR too high and Carole wanted mine between 105 and 115! So then I went for a ride on the Silver Comet with her recommendations and oh my gosh I averaged 11 miles per hour. That would be about 10 hours to complete 112 miles and I would not even make the cut off!! With that I went on a long ride every Tuesday morning with a fellow CDA Sharpie Heather Trainer and went on the long rides every weekend per our training schedule. I never missed a ride and went to Caroles windtrainer classes. All though Oct, Nov and Dec and even into Jan I averaged between 11-13 miles per hour on flat courses. I was beginning to get scared because I was not seeing this working. Well starting in Jan a stepping stone crossed my training path and finally I was starting to pick it up a little I noted averages in the 14s and sometimes even 15mph for a period of time. Then Carole watched my breathing during a zone 3 set in her windtrainer class and suggested I re-establish my zones using physiology verse testing. At my next ride I kicked my zones by 15 points which seemed right with the amount of effort and breathing. Within in the next month or so things on the bike progressed I became stronger and rode with more power in a low heart rate.

Training for the long run off the bike was the fun part. I was never really a runner but enjoy it altogether. My aerobic capacity was fine on the run and I had a great running group comprised of the current TNT marathon group during their Wednesday night run that went rain, freezing rain and dark. Training for the long run was also fun when I went home and enjoyed Hitchcock woods, runs around Druid Hills/Morningside, Kennasaw mountain and during my family winter cruise.

Last summer I burnt out on morning masters about a month before Beast of the East (an half Ironman) so I made a calculated decision to start morning masters in January instead of October. I do enjoy going for a morning swim once I am there and in the water but it was hard on most mornings getting up early day after day. I tended to have no trouble on Wednesdays and one other day of the week but to get three swims in took some willpower. For the most part I did it but only from Jan-June.

Expectations:
Prior to Ironman I really had no idea what to expect. I felt good, I felt that I was well prepared and ready to race as I had a great time at St. Anthony’s and Gulf Coast. Of course my number one goal was to finish. I was not going to do anything stupid to hinder that goal. But being the over achiever that I am I had to set out some other goals. My goals included staying focused as I tend to let my mind wonder and lose concentration. I did not want fear to get in my way. Of course I was afraid. I was afraid my stomach would cramp up and not let go, I was afraid of getting seriously kicked or punched, I was afraid of crashing and most of all I was afraid of not finding the will to keep going if things got really bad.
Other goals included staying in the draft of the swim, technique during the swim and bike, keeping up with nutrition, smiling and having fun but in the end not to quit.
Prior to race day I was getting a little cocky and full of myself as I did pretty well during my training races so it was a good thing when my mentor Brian Rell reminded me of the importance to put no other pressure on myself during the race with the exception to simply finish and another mentor Andrew Bell gave the advice to have fun out there and he put it out there that this could me my only Ironman.





Pre Race day:
The week leading up to Ironman was so exciting. I hung out with so many of my good friends including going to Columns for an easy ride with fellow teammates and friends who where training for other races. Later I had breakfast with Brian Rell which was great. We talked about what all this means and how important it was to keep my head together. My good friend Carolyn came for the weekend where she kept me distracted and kept things real while we chilled in Virginia-Highland. Sunday I swam at Emory Masters with Carolyn, Tracy and David and later we enjoyed a great brunch. My finial workouts felt great and I was ready. It was so nice to be able to rejoice in ability to be ready for an Ironman starting line.

Once in Coeur D’Alene I enjoyed hangin’ out in a beautiful house in Hayden which was along the bike route. Myself and four other future Ironman newbys enjoyed the piece and quite of a beautiful lake house. Ironman week was great with morning swims with the Sharpie group, team meetings, finial workouts and race day prepping.

My wonderful family made their way to Idaho on Saturday afternoon were we busily got them set up to volunteer at bike aid station #3 and check in my bike and transition bags. Later that day after finding my Dad’s old friend Joe Stacks and his wife Rochelle we sat around the deck at the Hayden House talking about everything regarding training and racing but mostly Joe shared his experiences regarding Ironman Canada

Race Morning:
I woke up feeling great. I slept well as I was still convinced that my body had no idea what to expect that day. I did have to be careful with eating my breakfast as I did not want to eat too fast for fear that I would loss breakfast even before the race started. I had so much fun driving to the race site with my sisters. We listened to Coach Carole’s CD that she put together for each person on the team. We quickly found a parking place and I was off getting body marked and setting up my bike nutrition. I helped a girl tape on gels on her handle bars and boy for the sake of race karma I hoped it worked out for her. After dropping off my special needs bags I was off to meet my parents and Joe prior to the swim start. I proceed to finish up with my skin care and putting on the wet suit. I did not feel nervous at all as I had no idea what to expect. Soon enough pre-race photos with my family were done and I was off to head towards the swim start and I quickly found Brent Johnson and we found Amy, Lee, Sarah, Kate, Kristy, Nancy, Heather and others all waiting and wondering for the moment of truth as we heard that due to the wind and waves we actually had the option to do a duathlon instead of bearing the rigorous waters.


Ironman Swim- 2.4 mile in Lake CDA
At the starting line I brought the ability to swim 2.4 miles. I had the endurance I had the will but I grossly underestimated Ironman. I quickly knew that Ironman is not just about endurance and will but it’s also about strength and power. Without power I was stuck in the swim crawl that soon began after the cannon fired. I did not have the ability to swim around people and get to free waters as I was stuck almost dog paddling most of the way out to the first buoy. Coming back in was better as the crowd thinned out so I actually was able to use what I learned during my ~3 times a week morning masters program. Getting to the beach was great but I was already a little disoriented as I looked for a non-existent water table and my family in a crowd of thousands. I head out for the second lap which I was looking forward to on the first only to get hit, kicked, swam over and knocked around more than the first lap. I started to swim away from the crowd a little and ended up hitting the Ford advertisement cement buoy with my head. After which my sighting was way off and ended out way away from any crowd and with three kayaks telling me to turn left but I insisted on aiming straight for the orange turn buoy that I hit dead on. The way back was better as far as swimming was concerned but by that time I had been in the water for over an hour and a half. I was beaten up by other swimmers, in a washer machine of a lake, swallowed about a gallon of lake water and as a result cold, nauseated and disoriented heading into T1.

I got out of the water and saw my time of 1:36. I was disappointed but did not really care because the swim was done. The most dreaded part of Ironman for most people was behind me and happy to have competed it for better or worst. On my way to the swim to bike transition a volunteer saw me and pointed me in the direction of the hot tub. I did not really want to stop and sit around in a hot tub but I did anyways because I was cold and so disoriented that I did not know where the change tents were located. Stupidly I only stayed for a few minutes. I should have stayed longer and had a drink of something other than lake water and let my stomach settle.

I headed into the change tent with the guidance of awesome volunteers. My change tent volunteer helped me get into my bike gear and ensured that I had everything. Without her I would have forgotten something or spent twice as long as I still was not in the mental capacity to think clearly.

Ironman Bike:

I headed out on the bike cold, still disoriented, and shivering. The first 10 miles I shivered so hard that I was sure that I was using more energy this way then pedaling my bike. I was still nauseated so I was not able to eat much or drink much for the first 20 miles. As of mile 20 I had eaten 3 pretzels (15 calories total) and 3 sips of water. I was scared as I knew how important nutrition was to completing a 14 hour day. I decided to stop altogether at mile marker 20 and try to puke, go to the bathroom or figure out what ever I needed to do to feel better. One girl suggested ice chips and banana’s which I started out trying then I saw Heather Furr volunteering and asked for suggestions. She recommended a salt tab and giving it another 30 minutes before getting too worried. I took all of this advice and headed out again on the bike. I continued to take it easy as my number one priority was to get my stomach to untie and start taking in food and water.

By the time I hit mile marker 30 which, by the way was where my family was volunteering, I felt better. I stopped next to my sisters and filled my aero bottle and chit chatted with them a little. After which I was ready to roll so the race for me started at mile 30. I was still way behind on nutrition and fluids so I decided to take it at a comfortable HR of 130 bmp which is low zone 2 so that I would be better able to absorb.

At this point I was rolling, smiling and enjoying the attention from the crowd. I never knew how well I could climb hills as I was busy eating a cookie going up hill and passing people right and left. One girl was talking about how nice a “granny gear” was and I passed her as I was agreeing with her statements while she noticed that I did not have a “granny gear” and a little upset might I add. I also spent some time talking with another first time soon to be Ironman who was also surprised how much fun 112 miles could be after a swim and before a run. As I approached town around mile 90 or so I was upset that the day was almost over and starting thinking about my next Ironman. I wondered if I was ready for Placid or should I get some experience with Louisville. I finished the ride still able to ride more but instead I needed to head in for the marathon.

Ironman Run:
Going into the run I knew that this was were I was going to make up time and finish strong. I felt surprising well and headed out to a supportive crowd. Of course my legs were a little heavy as I did just complete 112 miles on the bike but I was actually able to run. I quickly saw Carole who came running up to me excited that I was soon to be an Ironman. The course was cool, beautiful and filled with athletes either on their first or second lap. I saw many of my friends/ training buddies every mile or two starting with Amy who looked strong but working hard but her efforts paid off as she ended up qualifying for Kona as a result of her talent and effort.

Overall the run went better than I could image but it was not all fun. Later my stomach got to me again and I had to figure out how to fight nausea. I ran into Carole and asked how best to handle my stomach and of course she suggested that I puke but I was unable.
Soon enough I discovered chicken broth which was my saving grace as I was done with gels, cliff shots and electrolyte drinks.

The last 7 or so miles were great. When I saw mile marker 22 I realized that I had never ran that far in my life prior to this day. I decided to walk up the hill shortly after as I did on the first lap since those running were not going much faster. Coming down the hill I knew it was in the bag I just needed to not bonk and I would be fine. I ended up talking to a lady after walking one of the water stops were she told me about Ironman Utah and how she had the opportunity to go to Kona twice we walked up another hill together but after wards I ran all the way to the finish. Once I turned the corner and saw the big black arch I started to cry.

Finish Line:
The last road to the finish line was all downhill and filled with crowds cheering as if I was winning this thing. It was the most incredible site ever. I had the crowd to my self and felt good about pumping up my arms and getting the crowd going. I saw my family and my friend Joe Stacks and felt good about finishing strong. I have no idea what Mike Riley said at the finish line but I knew I was an Ironman.

Post Race:
Again the volunteer that walked me from the finish and helped me receive finishers gear was great. She led me to my family who were so excited and I hoped inspired. I was so lucky to have others to share this moment. I felt great as we took photos and rejoiced in the moment. The most important thing that I learned from Ironman training is people first; racing and training always fall behind people. It is so important to have people to rejoice with and share in the good and the bad but more important as I learned to be there in their challenges. .

I finished Ironman cheering on others that started this journey that day and with those who we traveled together over the past 9-12 months. Each and every finisher brought with them a dream with sacrifices that lead to a triumphant ending and it was awesome to see this joy and tears in their eyes as they saw the starting line to a life as an Ironman.