Wow, what an awesome place for an Ironman. Even though I used to live in the area, I didn’t realize how much the community in CDA and Post Falls support the IM. Great job to them.
Just a minor report first on my race and then some thoughts on the venue as opposed to IMFL.
We lucked out big time weatherwise. The day was almost perfect. The changes in the swim start made it much better (even though I wasn’t there last year). They made the start wider and I can honestly say that was the best swim of just about any race I’ve done. It only got real congested at the turns. The water was cool but not overly cold. I came out of the water with a 1:12 time which was a PR for me.
The bike leg had some tougher hills than I anticipated. Passed by Vitus’s house but didn’t realize it was his or I would have done a shout out. I liked how the bike course put you through downtown CDA a couple of times. You get a lot of cheering. The funny thing about the Post Falls area is how the wind can change. After fighting a strong headwind heading out to Liberty Lake, it was nice to feel it on our backs on the return to CDA. It didn’t last though and turned into a headwind again before reaching the bike finish. Still I came off the bike at 8 hours into the race. I was hoping for a sub 13 so I was in position for it. However, despite taking salt tablets on the bike, I starting cramping on the run immediately. I downed all the chicken broth I could and some additional salt tablets and the muscle cramps finally went away after about 5 miles. I had to do a lot of walking those first few though. Then the broth and Gatorade started making my stomach cramp so I switched to water and that helped a lot.
The run course was mostly level and very nice along the lake. If I were feeling better I might have appreciated the beauty, but on race day I pretty much didn’t notice it.
As most of you know who have done an IM or long race, sometimes your goals go right out the door during the race and you just want to finish. That was my case. I switched from a sub 13 to a sub 14 goal and hobbled to the finish in 13:54 with my two boys running with me to the finish line. It was great.
The volunteers asked it I felt okay and I told them I just felt a little dizzy (which I nearly always do after suddenly stopping after all that effort) so they escorted me to the medical tent. Long story short, after about an hour there they gave me an IV to alleviate some nausea. I think I would have been alright if I had just walked around a bit after the race instead of sitting down in the tent but I have no regrets for them doing their job.
All in all I was very happy with the race. Even though I finished over 40 minutes later than my previous best at IMFL, I placed better. Go figure.
IMCDA pluses:
Excellent place to hold one. The city park was much better than IMFL’s parking lot for the IM village. Shady and cool. Much more things to do and see. (Beach, playground for kids, shopping, etc.).
Community support. Best I’ve ever seen. Even when you were out in Post Falls families would sit on the roadside in lawn chairs to cheer you on. I never felt isolated like I did on the roads at IMFL.
Minuses:
Roads weren’t as smooth as IMFL. I guess because of the winters there. One section in front of the Potlatch mill felt like cobblestone.
Hotels: Though I stayed with family, hotel prices in CDA that weekend were really high. In Fl, you can find much better, much cheaper.
I would highly recommend IMCDA to anyone.
One note to IMNA: Yeah I know Ford was a big sponsor, but did you have to plaster their logo all over the finisher’s stuff?
A big thanks to Gatorade for helping at the swim practices and to GU for the cool freebies and gels on the run.
