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

Village Bootcamp: why intervals work, ideas for you

I lead a free bootcamp-style workout Tuesday nights at Highland Oaks Park in McFarland, Wis. If you're in the neighborhood, please join us. Bring water, a blanket or mat & small weights or bands if you have them.

Resources for You:

Make your own bootcamp-style interval workout- check out great ideas on active.com's youtube channel. Thanks Active Toby!

**Village Bootcampers, expect to see the Walkout (love that one) & some new ones, with more ab/core work too.

Check out these active.com articles & discover:
- how intervals turn your muscles into 24-hr fat-burning machines
- that interval training improves aerobic capacity
- how interval training helps runners hold race pace easier & sprint faster

Thanks Melissa for asking the first question at bootcamp. She wants to know, what to eat post-workout? Madison, Wis.-based trainer Dustin Maher shares his pre- and post-nutrition ideas here. You'll learn why protein & simple sugars are important post-workout. And consider his many bootcamp offerings, one at McDaniels park in McFarland.

Question for you:
- What's your favorite bootcamp move/exercise?

Next time:
Tuesday July 7th 6:30-7:30 at Highland Oaks Park in McFarland.
*bring water, mat/blanket, small weights/bands & wear good shoes.
*rain date: Thurs July 9th 6:30-7:30

photo credit: my old new shoes

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.