Top of the Key

It’s Friday now, and a bit of catching up to do here. We arrived on Wednesday afternoon to a beautiful scenic view of Lake Coeur D’Alene. Weather was sunny and warm, and what we’ve learned from the neighbors and locals, this is a new thing for them as of late. It’s been really cold and rainy here, snowed last week. Flooding on the Spokane River, where our rental house is, was really bad, and the water levels now are low. They haven’t released the water yet from the dam so the docks are high, not many boats in the water. And, best of all, especially for us, the water temp is 57! Warmed up alot since we last checked in a few weeks ago.

Harry and Lhasa are so excited to be out of the car. We really have the best kids though, not a peep from them sitting in the back seat for 17 hours. We have a small beach that they can go swimming from. Our neighbors are really nice, which is the norm here in Coeur D’Alene. They love to see the Ironman athletes, a very welcoming city for an invasion of spandex wearing, shaved legged athletes for a week.

Planned to get down to the Ironman Village at 7am on Thursday, to do a swim in the cold lake, to get an up close experience. Both Jess and I pulled on the wetsuits, slipped on the neoprene caps, and walked on down to the swim start. They had 1/2 the course of 1 loop of the swim set up. The first impression was “this is cold, more cold than anything, can’t feel my fingers, toes, how the hell am I going to swim this water for 90 mins!”. I really was concerned, but knew that we had to keep moving forward, so we submerged our heads, and took some easy strokes. Made it the to the rope lines of the little swim area, and then kept going to the first buoy, 2nd buoy, and finally around for 1 full loop. It was better than first thought. I hit my stroke early, and was comfortable the whole way. Big mental boost. And helped a ton to have Jess right there with me. I know on race day the situation is different, no Jess next to me, lots more people, and the extra push to go faster. But all in all, not as bad as they were hyping it to be. Planning to get in the water on race day for 10-15 minutes, need to get adjusted to the water.

Met up with friends and teammates after the swim, they were planning to swim, Jess and I headed off on our bikes. I felt cold, with my HEP bike wear, and arms. Couldn’t shake the chill. No socks, but toes warmed up. No gloves, but hands warmed up too. Planning to use hand and feet warmers for the first part of the bike. Maybe arms, not sure about that though. I know it will warm up quick.

Came back to the main even area, and went through registration, picked up our Zipp wheel rentals, and then off for a 30 min. massage. Regrouped with our friends for lunch, then drove the course. Now I’ve heard this new course, started last year, is easier than the previous one which I raced on. But I have to say, this new one seems more hilly, with lots more up and downs, and it’s much more scenic. I’m guessing alot of people have underestimated the rollers, and will push it on loop 1 so when loop 2 comes around, they’ll be paying for it. That’s my guess anyway. The course will be fun, keep you on your toes. I’m eager to get on it and do some climbing!

Rounded off yesterday with a dinner at the St. George’s. Good food, good company and one final push to get us all excited about this life experience on Sunday. We are all prepared, better trained than most athletes out there, i’m confident of that.

Resting up today.  Thought about heading back to the water to swim, but changed my mind.  It is, what it is.