4.12.2008

Coeur d' Alene Ironman Loop

So the weather this weekend is supposed to be amazing. Tim and I spent the week trying to figure out when we were going to meet in Coeur d’ Alene to ride the Ironman loop. Tim wanted to ride two loops, crazy guy, and the rest of us were going to ride just one. When I woke up the sun was shining and the sky was blue, a perfect day for a ride.

I spent the morning watching Emma play in her first soccer game. Those little kids are hilarious. They all run around chasing the ball, picking it up and falling down. Emma’s team, the Green Bombers, won the game and she was so excited. After her teammate scored one goal she was jumping up and down clapping, SO FUNNY.

After the game I headed over to Coeur d’ Alene for my very first loop of the Ironman course, kinda. The ride turned out to be Tim, Matt Cusack, two of Tim’s friends Cary and Brian and myself. We left the city center and headed out around 12:30. The first half of the ride was great as we made it through town and headed out towards Hayden. Brian and my pace were a bit faster than the rest of the group, so we spent a few times trying to guess which way to go.

We almost did the entire course except for the fact we forgot to turn down Lancaster and cut off about 2 miles. Overall it was a great day and I really enjoyed my first loop. I ended up riding about 40 miles and felt pretty good throughout the ride. After this experience I am even more excited about next year. After the ride I headed out for a quick 20 minute brick and the legs felt pretty strong. I can’t wait for a real triathlon race, even if it is going to be a half-ironman.

Afterwards we headed to the CDA Brewery for some burgers and beers. It was great to listen to many stories about past training experiences. Even Tim’s story about the excellent hot chocolate and the hours spent inside a gas station. You keep raising that finger man:) One beautiful day down and I looking forward to the race tomorrow.

2 comments:

Tiffany said...

Nice job riding the IM loop! Pretty cool to think you will be racing on it next year! Sounds like you guys had fun and what a beautiful day for it!

Can't wait to read your race report for the du!

Tim Swanson said...

After watching you ride that course, I am fearing what you will do to the field next year! :) I am a believer that every time you ride a course, you get a little better. And if you did that a year + out, come Jun, 09, you are going to dominate. Thanks for the company and for pulling me along (again)

Tim