I Passed USAT Level 1! & An Ironman Collage

I was thrilled to take USA Triathlon's Level 1 Triathlon Coaching course this summer in Minneapolis.

USAT had a great mix of topics and presenters including:

- Bob Seebohar, Triathlon Nutritional Strategies

- Bobby McGee, Sports Psychology & Mental Skills

- Krista Austin, Exercise Physiology

- Fiona Lockhart, Cycling Skills

- Loryn Cozzi, Communication, Ethics & Risk Management

- Scott Tripps, Swimming Skills & Economy Training

- Hector Torres, Triathlon Specific Training & Key Workouts, Periodization and planning

- Dan Cohen, Periodization and Planning, Practical application

- Bobby McGee, Running Skills & Economy Training

I loved the clinic! I hope to share some snippets from it here in the future.

I recently mailed my take-home multiple choice & essay exam to USAT. My certificate came back today! I passed! I hope to take the Level 2 exam in the future. Thanks USAT--you've put together a great program!

I also wanted to share a collage I made from my hubby's Ironman Cd'A this year. What an exciting summer it's been!

Race Report: Ironman Coeur d’ Alene – June 21, 2009 Part 2: Places

Part II: Places
Deep down I knew my second IM would be Coeur d’ Alene. The anticipated beauty and challenging nature of the venue were simply too much to pass up. Coeur d’Alene is as smooth and sexy as the name implies. A city as buff as the athletes shows off with a powerful landscape, trendy businesses, neatly coiffed lawns and a gorgeous lake-front that turns heads.

Speaking of turning heads, buff athletes are everywhere. The athlete village is exhibitionist heaven and eye candy is plentiful. Nine months of diligence leave me feeling buff and I join in the fun. My 37 year-old 6’ 1” body is rock hard and I show off as much as the cold weather will allow. I proudly flash my blue IM arm band for access inside the fences. Before the race is over I will flash more than the arm band.

There are big ones all around Idaho. I mean the mountains, shame on you all. Despite evidence proving otherwise, my mind creates a mythical bike route of withering climbs and fanatical downhills. I fret over the unseen course until Friday afternoon when I join the parade of Subarus, Hybrids and SUVs driving the course in the rain soaking in every detail and frantically taking notes. Reality is comforting. I conquered hills in Wisconsin far worse than these. I know I can spin the course and still have something leftover for the run.

Fast forward to race morning as I take shelter from the cool wind in the men’s changing tent. I dub myself a genius after noticing the waist-high urinal set up in the corner. No long porta-potty lines for me! I mindlessly stare into the corner of the tent and listen to the wind outside as nature calls. All too late I realize the tent corners are not fastened. A gust of wind blows the tent flap aside providing spectators an all-access view, far more than even I want to show!

All these things lead into my favorite part of the race, the Washing Machine. Nine months of babying my body are out the window. Confident in my ability I enter the swim on the buoy line in a mass of humanity. The payoff is 75 minutes of clawing, shoving and crawling around the wavy lake. Jacked-up and breast-stroking around the half-mile buoy I scream a baptismal greeting to rookies. “First Timers, welcome to IRONMAN, YEEEEEHAAAAAAA!”

Adrenaline surges through my body and carries me well into the bike. The first 50 miles alternate between prayer and hyperactivity. “I’m doing it! I’m going to be an Ironman again!” and emotion soars. Soon thereafter I chastise myself for speed. “Slow down, don’t be a dumb F*&%! You can’t keep up this pace and run well you F&^!ng idiot!”

Back in town endorphin levels crash as I get closer to my entourage. Enjoying their encouragement I tell my first lie of the day with a casual wave and gentle “hey guys, how’s it going.”

Sara later tells me everyone is amazed that I’m making it look effortless. Truth of the matter is that I’m in a deep mental valley. The next 56 miles loom and I’m not looking forward to them one bit.

Read Part 1: People

Race Report: Ironman Coeur d’ Alene – June 21, 2009 Part 1: People

Race Report: Ironman Coeur d’ Alene – June 21, 2009
Ken Landolt (836)

Part 1: People
So here I sit with a lovely Belgian Ale, one week removed from my second Ironman finish wondering what to include. I’ll do my best not to have it all be about me but let’s face it, that will be difficult. Doing an Ironman is inherently selfish and I’ve been “me” focused for far too long.

Everyone adjusts so I can be called an Ironman. Sara graciously and stoically handles the entire household while I prepare and grump about the little details. I’m dedicated and inspirational? Nope, that honor goes to Sara.

The boys don’t get it and who can blame them, they are young. They only know Dad is gone too much and he is grumpy when he is home. All they want is the human jungle gym to reopen for business.

The rest of our families and friends kindly give me a pass while I check out of normal human life and attempt to prepare my body for one very long day.

This goes on for nine months until I pack up my race gear, Sara packs up the entire family, and we all head West in a modern day Conestoga wagon Sara packed to perfection.

Out West I am blessed with more kind-hearted people. The people of Coeur d’ Alene truly embrace Ironman athletes. People in restaurants, grocery stores, coffee shops and our campground welcome us to town, wish us luck and tell us where they will be volunteering on race day. It feels like the entire town is as focused on the event as I am.

As race day looms and I turn into a Class-A prick fretting over details, well-wishers come out of the woodwork. Friends and relatives drive 1,500 miles to watch and it feels like the entire Triathlon community takes time out of their busy schedule to phone or email encouragement. I can barely eke out a thank-you without my voice cracking as emotion wells up inside.

June 21st dawns sunny and cold. Sara and I listen to our traditional pre-race CD. Green Day finishes singing “I hope you have the time of your life” and the next thing I know I’m staring at the ½ mile buoy with 2,600 nervous racers and 10,000 spectators. Today my body will tell me to quit. My mind knows that can’t happen. Family and friends are watching and I need to deliver satisfaction 140.6 miles down the road. Anything less simply won’t do.

BOOM!!!!

Next: Part II: Places

photo credit: I designed our theme shirts---team BAMF. I think BAMF is a mindset vs. a bunch of swear words. During hard experiences you go there (think labor & delivery or Ironman.) And sometimes BAMF makes you smile and you need that during 140.6.

Ken's Finish! Race Report to Come

A Crack in Our Plans--45 Days from Race Morning

Last Friday I got a call from my husband I wasn't expecting. Ken had taken his baby (his S22 FELT bicycle ) in for service at Williamson Bicycle Works & Fitness in Madison, Wis.



In addition to needing a regular pre-race tune-up, he asked them to investigate a noise he'd heard. He'd called the bike guy before coming in and he and Ken thought it could be bottom bracket related. There was also something about a hub and the bike needed a new back tire. All issues we could handle/afford paying for. All great things to wrap up before a big event.



Later that day Ken went back to pick up his baby and instead won the pre-race "don't want to hear it" lottery.



Ken's bike frame is cracked.

• That makes it unrideable.
• That makes it worthless.
• And Ken's big event, Ford Ironman Coeur d'Alene, is 45 days away.

Williamson Bicycles was wonderful, supportive & understanding. They charged Ken for some parts, that's it. But Williamson Bicycles is no longer a FELT dealer, so they referred Ken to the Bicycle Dr., a FELT dealer in Dousman, Wis.

Ken called the Bicycle Dr and drove there the next morning to see what his options were. We'd taken photos of the crack Friday night & I scanned a copy of his original receipt so we had backup.

A bike mechanic named Kevin at Bicycle Dr. took in the situation and the FELT salesrep was on site. Things in our favor:

• Ken is the original owner.
• Ken bought the bike from a FELT dealer.
• Ken loved and cared for his bike like a baby.
• We have the original dated receipt.
• All FELT frames have a lifetime warranty.

Things that get tricky:

• time
• time
• time

Kevin e-mailed the warranty claim on Saturday and called FELT Monday morning. Monday evening Kevin told Ken we'd know more by Wednesday. The FELT salesrep was going to check on frames, upgrades and discounts Tuesday.

It's Wednesday night and we have no new information. We're very close to panic mode. Frames and bikes take minimum five days to ship, then time to assemble and then fit. And the days/weeks continue to race by as Ironman CdA nears.

Questions for You:
- What's your most stressful pre-race situation? How did you handle it?
- How would you handle it if you were Ken?

photo: Ken's poor S22. The crack is on the rear seat stay.