Ironman Coeur D’Alene Race Report 2010

For many people Ironman is much more than a race and for me this couldn’t be more the case. So a quick run down before we get in to all the nitty gritty details of the race weekend. Leading up to the race I had gotten what I felt was a pretty solid build although I had a miserable showing at Ironman Florida 70.3 a month prior. I was really pumped and itching to race. After talking with a few people and analyzing my results I figured that if I had a good day I could come in just under 12 hours. Making the goal for the day 11:59:59. I tried to map everything out before the race predicting I would swim a 1:17, bike 6-6:15 and then run 4-4:30. I was confidant in my training and felt I could hit these splits if I fueled properly.

Ok on to the race week. My dad and I got up to Coeur D’Alene on Thursday afternoon. We jetted over to athlete check-in and met up with a few friends. Once we got to our house we decided to test out the waters and loosen up the muscles. The water was still under 60 so I rocked a thermal cap to keep my noggin from freezing. Unfortunately it didn’t do much good. Once we jumped in the water hit your face like a thousand needles and it was really hard to breathe. But after a few min we were on our way and I was really enjoying the open water. Much of the prep went as usual although no panic attacks like last year.

Race day! My alarm went off at 5am and I was dressed and eating with-in only a few min. I think the nervousness, adrenalin, and focus really made me get up and ready. I downed my usual PB&J and sipped on a bottle of Banana NUUN. Then Blaize, Sonja, my dad, and I hopped in our boat and jetted to the swim start. Once we got there it was the usual pre-race craziness of frantically running around to get all the last minute details worked out before we started our insanely long day. I linked up with my dad and we headed down to the water to try and acclimate ourselves to the water.

7:00…..Boom and we were off I gave my dad a quick hug and jumped into the water along with 2400 other people. I quickly moved up through the field and found a good group to work with while avoiding getting kicked in the face. When we got to the first turn buoy it got crazy. People were doing everything they could to get around that tight turn. If you have ever seen a large school of fish getting scooped up by a fishing net, it was a lot like that. After the hectic turns I got back into my rhythm and headed for shore exiting the first loop in 35 min. Looking down at my Garmin at the end of the first loop was a huge morale booster I don’t think I have ever gone that fast even in a half ironman haha. The second loop was much like the first although my hands and feet started to get stiff from the cold waters. I exited the swim with a total time of 1:10. Which was 7 min faster than my goal time ( I guess all of the Monday, Wednesday night swims with the Cville triclub paid off!!!).

Ahh the longest part of my day…..the bike. I hopped on my bike and tried to get my legs ready for the 112 mile journey. After about 10 miles I found a good rhythm and was settled in. I noticed that I was averaging 20mph which made me a little nervous because I was thinking that even on a good day 18 mph would be fast for me. But I was within my heart-rate zones so I decided to “go for broke” and try and hold that 20 mph average. The bike went pretty much as planned no major hiccups, and I only had to pee 2 times this year as opposed to the 6 or so last year woooo!!! I feel like one of the keys to my success on the bike this year was getting my nutrition dialed in after talking with my friend Chris. In the final miles of the bike I felt pretty solid and ready to take on my marathon. I came off of the bike in 5:47 averaging 19.3 mph.

Ironman Shuffle Time! I moved quickly through T2 and was on my way for the 26.2 mile death march. Starting my run my legs felt really fresh and I was hitting my splits at about a 9-9:30 pace which was still under my 10min mile goal pace. At mile 3 Lindsay Corbin came up on my shoulder. I always love getting to see the pro’s out on course because even though they are going so much faster we are all doing the same race, which is really what makes this sport so special. The run always seems to me the true battle both physically and mentally. You have been working out for 7 hours and now have to run a marathon! At around mile 5 I started feeling like I was going to pass our and just felt a little out of wack so I downed another gel and kept trucking. At each station I would grab a few sponges, Gatorade, water, some pretzel sticks, and then splash myself in the face with two cups of cold water. Each time I splashed the cold water on my face I kind of “woke up” and was then on my way again. Having some friends in the race was a real mental help for the marathon because it would give me a little boost to give them a high five or share some words of encouragement. Around mile 15 Jake from Zoot and I started running together and we would yo-yo back and forth until about mile 24. We linked back up and started our final push to the finish line. With about a half mile to go I asked him what was your goal time? Here is what we said: “under 12” he said. “me too” I said. “HELL YEAH!, we crushed it!, HELLLL YEAH!!!!!” I said. Boom, there it was that beloved adrenaline rush. And I was off at a full sprint. Making my final turn before Sherman Ave I saw Jon from K-Swiss and gave him a huge hi-five. At this point I was going nuts, I was screaming with excitement, wincing in pain, and crying with joy. Now officially my favorite street in the world, Sherman Ave aka the finishing chute. Its about ¼ a mile long and packed with fans and spectators cheering for you. I WAS FLYING! When I would come down the road I kept getting these adrenaline rushes and I would let out these roars YYYEEEAAAHHH!!!!! I then saw my mom and brother and kind of lost it there again. Finally the finishing chute. I didn’t think I could top last years feelings but I did and then some. I just stood at the finish line screaming YYYEEEAAAHHH!!!!!!!! Then I basically lost all energy in my legs and was helped to the massage tent by the volunteers.

There is no feeling in the world like that of finishing an Ironman. For me its something so unique that I cant even express it in words. Yesterday was truly the happiest day of my life. And I still get choked up thinking about that final mile.

Although the race itself is a solo effort I could not have done it with out the help of the following people.
My family: who supported me all these years and has always given me the best opportunities possible. And my dad who I am fortunate enough to get to train and race with almost every day. These are really memories that I will cherish forever!

UVA Triathlon/Cycling Clubs: Having these groups while back at school made getting in the miles a piece of cake. I really enjoyed the Tuesday, Thursday rides with Rudy and the gang and traveling to races like Naylors, Oceanside 70.3, and Orlando 70.3

Cville Triclub: Monday and Wednesday night swims became a highlight of my week and I usually hate swimming. This was a really great group of people who I really enjoyed pushing my self with and sharing some good stories.

My Sponsors: Who give me the best in nutrition, equipment, and tools to keep me training hard and racing fast!

My St. Kitts Running Buddies: Who kept me company on “da island mon” and helped me train for the Charlottesville Marathon.

The Race Volunteers: Seriously we could not have done the race with out your help!

Friends and Family: Thank you to everyone else who has helped me in any way: be it from words of encouragement pre/post race or just helping keep me sane throughout all the craziness of training and racing.

I really love this sport and it is something that is going to be with me for life. I already signed up for next year, gotta keep the tradition alive! Now its time for some much needed rest for the next few weeks, then I have the Solana Beach Sprint Triathlon.

I’m so proud of everyone that raced with me yesterday: My dad achieved his goal of sub 13 finishing in the 12:50’s, Blaize kicked some serious ass finishing in the 12:30’s after being injured leading up to the race, Jake who jammed in his first Ironman and kept me company on the run, and finally Kate my B lane swimming buddy who kicked some serious ass in her first Ironman!

That’s all for now, congratulations to everyone who raced yesterday!


I am awarding myself the “Mr. Consistency” award because I placed 16th in the swim, 16th bike, and 16th Run haha. Here are my splits.

Swim 1:10 http://connect.garmin.com/activity/38446566 (Not very accurate)
Bike: 5:47 http://connect.garmin.com/activity/38446568
Run: 4:25 http://connect.garmin.com/activity/38446571

FINISH TIME 2010:11:35:03

OA: 447/2262
AG:16/48

FINISH TIME 2009: 13:13:56
OA: 1222
AG: 23/37