Coeur d' Alene Ironman 2008 #1986

Video courtesy of Rachel Kenoyer!

I am going to do my best to try and capture all the memorable aspects of Ironman 2008. While my mind and body still seem to be in a bit of a blur, with a few minor aches and pains lingering about, I can say that it was a successful year (in a sense).

The festivities began on Thursday with my first shot at swimming the course in our balmy Lake Coeur d' Alene, with a temp of around 55 degrees. What made this even better was the company that I got to swim with ...albeit at a distance. I swear once these ladies hit the water they grew gills and went flying! I couldn't catch a foot as I was trying my best to breath.

Before our swim:

Heading down to the water:

Both Phaedra and Jessi continually made me laugh to where I forgot about what was coming...temporally of course. Pretty sure that this wasn't their plan but is sure helped. I mean check out these hot chicks dancing! They were turning heads right and left.

(Sorry ladies I didn't ask before I posted this video, hope that you all got a laugh and are not upset?)

The swim course as it ended up was not marked all the way out so it was a short swim but a good chance to get in the water and get used to the cold. After the swim...off to work.

Friday I took a vacation day, headed down to a breakfast put on by Mulitsports and chatted with some old faces and new, then grabbed my gear to head out for another swim. This time the course was marked all the way and I ended up doing one full loop. I have no idea how long it took me because I did not wear my watch. The last thing that I wanted to do was push myself just days before the Big Event. It went well, the water was really cold for about 5 minutes then either I got used to it, or became numb all over and couldn't tell anymore.

Now, to pick up my packet registration. I will say this, I have told this story since so bare with me if I told you. I put a lot of time and effort into training for this race, in fact so did my family. Many weekends missed so that I could ride the course, or shorted dinners so that I could go run. Granted I could have done a much better job in the training department, but I could have done a lot worse as well. With that being said you can imagine my dismay when changing to go register I over heard a woman asking her friend if she was going to do the "real" ironman, you know the one in Kona? The "real" ironman" I said? She said, "Yes, you know the one everyone trains for"? What the hell? I swear I bit my tongue in half...and walked away, feeling miffed and deflated. Really? Do people not consider this a real ironman? Am I not swimming 2.4 miles, am I not riding my bike over a very hilly and technical 112 miles, and am I not ending with running a marathon of 26.2 miles? All within a cut off time of 17 hours? Again what the hell.

So back to the day. I register get my swag bag and head back home. Mike is had to go back to Hawaii for work so he isn't going to be home until late Friday night so I decide to take the kids with me to the Athlete dinner. They were bored to tears. I like to do all of the activities planned as a reward for my time and effort that I put into this enormous adventure. I met some great ladies who I hope to be able to train with next year as they are smokin' fast and hilarious to boot. So we head home singing in the car, and just enjoying the warm weather that finally appeared.

Saturday! Mike got home late Friday night, and woke me up so that we could talk about his trip, the race and the kids. I finally make it back to sleep just in time to wake up for the day. Now, it's the day before the big race and what?...what's wrong with my throat? It's killing me. I think that all is ok it's just allergies...WRONG! That is right I caught a !@#$% cold! I shove the Tylenol cold down like it's candy and begin praying that it will go away. My day does not get any better. I got all my gear ready the night before and checked and double checked it all before I head down to the Ironman Village to check in my bike and transition bags. I find a parking spot (not easy to do) and start to head to the village when I realize that I forgot to put my race number on my bike. Well you can't check in your bike without your number, so I have to head all the way back home to get this. Mike is awesome and agrees to meet me by the freeway so that I don't have drive all the way back home. Ok back to the village, check in my gear, check into the hotel and head home to grab the family. We order food for dinner which I swear that they must have flown in as it took an hour (for delivery). Oh well stay in the moment as tomorrow is going to be tough.

Race day morning! Ouch, my throat is still killing me and I sound like a female truck driver (no offense to any female truck drivers, just shooting for an easy description). The morning is beautiful and NOT cold. I pack myself into the all too flattering wetsuit and wait the cannon.

Swim (2.4 miles) - The water ended up being 59.9 degrees with a strong current (in the wrong direction). I ended up going a little over 2 minutes slower than last year. This is not a great way to start. Note to self: get into a master swim class.

Ride (112 miles) - I am going on perceived effort here. I feel good. I am staying in groups and passing folks. After the first loop I begin to feel a bit tired. Not sure if going that fast at first was a good idea. There were some pretty good head winds which I think make going up hill, well, difficult. Since I am not a freak of nature this slowed me down. I ended up going close to 30 minutes faster than last year. Note to self: practice hills more.

Run (26.2 miles) - I use the term run very loosely, as I did not get one solid mile run in. My feet, my throat, my legs, my arms, were all revolting against my body and my mind was starting to take their side. That is ok, enjoy the moment....well sort of. I was on pace to exceed my time last year by a substantial margin and as the miles ticked away so did that margin. Laura, bless her, met me right about Mile 25.5 or so and ran me home. She encouraged me to keep going and to dig deep. In fact if I could have tripped her I would have but I had no energy to move closer to her. I am so profoundly grateful to Laura for doing this. Thank you Thank you. I ended up looking somewhat strong although I felt like a weak crapling.

Again Mike the announcer did not say the six words that I kept playing in my head during all of my training sessions...Kelli Rydeen you are an Ironman! What not again. Why can't he say this for me? He can't possibly have a secret vendetta against me, can he? Oh well the third times a charm, right?

To my friends and family thank you for tracking me all day. I couldn't see you or hear you but I most certainly Felt you along the way. You were all there in spirit! Rachel, thank you so much for all your partner training runs! You always sucked it up and went the distance with me even though you didn't have too! I couldn't have done some of those runs without your help.

Mike, my love, thank you. You put up with so much while I get ready for this race every year. You train equally as hard helping me with the kids, dinner, laundry etc. Like I said, I love having a wife! I know you said I should do it again next year, but if you don't keep me from signing up I will kill you in your sleep! I love and appreciate you so much!

Kids, I hope that you take away from this that anything is possible if you put your mind to it. You all were my inspiration and I love you more then words can say.

Matt and ATH - Thank you so much. You were instrumental in my participation this year! I am incredibly thankful for your contribution. I wish that I could have had a better showing.

Thank you to Tri-Fusion for the signs in my yard and for the mega phone. Your words of encouragement along the course kept me going in more ways then one. I am so appreciative for each and every one of you that thought enough of me to yell for me.

A note is worth a thousand words, here is my niece who fell asleep waiting for me to finish the race. She lives in Denver and was keeping an eye on me via the world wide web. Sorry Rylee, I will try to be quicker next time!

Here is to 2010!