Power of Group-Think

Think WARM thoughts.

W. (WE)

A. (ARE)

R. (Red-blooded, Ripped, Race-Ready, Radiant)

M. (Mammals)

If everyone puts their minds together maybe we can make something happen!

Become a member of W.A.R.M. and get the lake heated up (let's shoot for 60 degrees!) before June 22nd!


Thanks!

Obsess much?

I thought I'd post the following. This is the temperature at Lake Coeur D'Alene over the last 7 days.



Almost up to 54 degrees, dudes and dudettes!

2008 CdA Podcast Feed

http://nasports.com/nas_podcasts.rss

if you subscribe to this feed above in I-tunes or your feed gatherer, you can listen to PNF and the RD.....

Thermal Socks

I have decided to treat the cold water sitchyashun in the time-honored approach to age group triathlon: there is no problem that cannot be solved (at least psychologically) with shiny new stuff.

Gear, baby.

I've obtained a new, full sleeve wetsuit, a goofy neoprene cap, the thermal shirt mentioned in the post immediately below, and the fetching little booties pictured above. I ordered them here.

I will be the only swimmer to DNF in 50 degree water because of overheating.

Thermal wetsuit shirt..

FYI: This is what I got for under my wetsuit for IMCDA swim. It kept me very warm. I tried it in 57 degree water last weekend..It is: 13 Ounce Thermo-X Short Sleeve Crew By: ONeill $59.95. I got it at Scuba.com, the only place I could find it in an X-small. They only come in men's sizes. Was a bit snug until i got in the water, then was fine.

Forecast

Just saw on the news...weather forecast for the Northwest (includes Coeur D'Alene!)- for June, July, August....




DRY and WARM!


yea!

(Let's hope they get this one right for once!)

Race Reports

If any of you are looking for some extra inspiration, or laughs... We have some race reports on the ATT website here.

If you scroll to the bottom you should see a few from IM CDA last year... There is also a copy of Shane's IM Moo in 06 and momo's IMFL in 06...

Happy reading.

I'M SO EXCITED! The athlete guide is now up on the website!

http://www.ironmancda.com/08CDAathguide.pdf

I think this is going to be the longest 26 days of my life....

Lake CDA Water Temps

I was talking a friend "in the know" concerning Lake CDA's temperatures as reported on the website that momo linked to this site. It seems that the exact location where the official water temps are measured for that site are approximately 300 yards upstream from the IM CDA swim location, with the flow of water traveling towards, across and beyond the IM CDA swim location.

So, in other words, the temps from the official site are precisely the same as those at the IM CDA swim location.

I don't know if this info is actually helpful or not. Perhaps not if you were hoping that the water temps at the swim location were a bit warmer.

P.S. The lake water temps seem to be as volatile as recent financial market activities.

One of US...

I just want everyone to know that Monica from

"I just want the tattoo"

finished Ironman Brazil in a smashing time of 13:47!

Congratulations Monica, You are an IRONMAN! (And quite the speedy one at that!)

Let the fun begin!

I know, I know, all of you athletes are busy training and thinking about racing- but I'm thinking about socializing.

The Tribe and I arrive in CdA Friday afternoon and I've got pizza on the mind. Let me know if you want to join us and other bloggers, and I'll look for a place. Second option would be pizza/pasta at our race headquarters in town. (we are communing with The Greyhounds) Make your reservations(an email or comment will do-a phone # is helpful), and I'll let you know the time and place.

Also, I'm compiling a map of our group- where are you staying and with whom, including contact numbers so we can connect better. Especially sherpa's on race day. Again, an email or comment with contact info and I'll make a master list. The "I can't wait" bug is growing- see you all in a few weeks

Updated Map

A long while back I posted a map on CdA living arrangements by blogger. It's been a while since I updated it, but there have been only a couple of changes.


The Outlaw gang is staying a few million miles to the southeast.

What I'll do is print out a map with streets and bring it with us - if folks want it then, I can give ya a copy. Or, if you have Microsoft Streets and Trips, I have a file I can send you.

IMCda Course Guide!

http://www.ironmancda.com/08CDAathguide.pdf

This is really getting close....

GULP

IM CDA Run Course

From the gentleman who previously brought us a blow-by-blow account of the bike course, here is his perspective of the run course.

After having run the course a couple of times, I would agree with his assessment.

IM CDA Bike Course Description

Here is a rundown from a guy who rode the IM CDA course recently. I rode it last week and would agree with his comments and think he did a very fine job in his description.

Slowtwitch IM CDA Thread

Here is a terrific thread from Slowtwitch.com and provides some great insight into IM CDA. I learned a few things I did not previously know.

More CDA images

I accidently typed in the wrong url for the blog and came across Doug's blog. He posted a bunch of recon photos from Coeur d'Alene so take a look:

http://imcda.blogspot.com

CdA Bike - take a look

It aint all that bad...

Bike Course Video

Hey, Peeps. One of the local CdA peeps found a video online that purports to be of the CdA bike course. You can view it here.

It's all kind of hypothetical though. If you're a crap swimmer like me, you'll die of hypothermia in the lake long before you have to worry about the bike course.

A Sherpa Limerick

For fear of being called out...

The water will be extra cold
Meaning major shrinkage for Bold
Will they cancel the swim?
The chances are slim
Warm water at this point; like fool's gold

You'll loop back and forth on the bike
It helps to know what you look like
We'll ring the cow bells
Keep downing your gels
Or your body will go on hunger strike

T2 a relief; 26.2 miles await you
Tired legs to carry you through
As the miles tick away
You'll relive the day
And realize there's nothing you can't do

A ticket to Sherpa a race
Is worth every smile on your face
We’ll cheer really loud
And tell you we’re proud
Even if you finish last place

The One Thing..

Thought I would share a great article I read in 2004 that helped me with IMFL:

http://swtrigal.blogspot.com/2008/05/one-thing.html

Debi :)

Warming up...

Looks as if Coeur D'Alene will be warmer than Tucson this weekend....the lake is already over 50 degrees.
Good news hmm? (whew!)
Let's hope the warming continues. I like warm.

Bike course

Hi everyone,
I went on to mapmyrun.com and found a link to the new cda course. I cannot verify it's accuracy, but it does look different than what is posted on the ironmancda site.

Here's the link if anyone is interested.
http://www.mapmyrun.com/run/united-states/id/coeur-d-alene/490178854

IM CDA Peeps Get Together

I appreciate the response to my original post. Some have suggested a Friday evening dinner would work better for them. In looking at the IM CDA website schedule of events, it offers the following for Friday evening:

5:30PM - 7:30PM - Ford Ironman Coeur d’Alene Welcome Dinner - Banquet Tent
7:30PM - 8:30PM - Mandatory Athlete Meeting - Banquet Tent

That is what headed me in the direction of Thursday evening. Your thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you.

Pushing Your Limits

Pushing Your limits. That is easy to say. Our bodies can do wonderful things and we can go beyond extreme limits. When do we quit and when do we keep going? Is it mental or physical? Many questions we might ask ourselves when we push our bodies to do nearly impossible things.

Every person is different and some people may not have the drive. Extreme sports. Are we crazy? Some may thing so, but each time we run, bike, swim, hike, climb, row, or sail, it can be an awesome journey. Each struggle we might have may tweak this journey, but should never stop us.

I have brought up a few topics that we all should be thinking about. I wonder how extreme should I be and at what measures do I keep pushing my limits. How hard core are you? Do we do sports for its adrenaline rush?

Wonderful Weather
What types of weather would you be willing to train in?
-Cold
-Rain
-Snow
-Ice
-Hail
-Extreme Winds
-Extreme Heat

Ultra Endurance Events
Would we really push our limits and spend more than 8 hours or more doing one activity?

-Ironman
-Ironman (x2 or x3)
-Ultrarunning
-24 hours of triathlon
-24 hours of cycling
-24 hours of running
-Birthday Triathlons (bfitbday.com)
-Cross Country trips

Extreme Sports/Activities
How much skill or risk does it take to become an adrenaline junkie?
-Rugby
-Wheelchair Rugby
-Rock Climbing
-Mount Everest
-Amazon River Swim
-Skydiving
-Storm Chasing
I am here to offer a few suggestions.
1) Create a Plan
A detailed plan will make things much easier. Fine details can give you guidance and point you in the right direction towards success.
2) Don't get injured
Getting injured can make or break you. A great goal is to start at the finish line injury free. Many methods can be enacted in order for you to prevent injury. Proper stretching, knowing your limits, core strengthening, weights, and proper equipment can help.
3) Never Give Up
During a marathon you keep running. During a triathlon you don't stop swimming. During a cycling trip you don't fall asleep. Keep going no matter what you are doing. Keep in mind that some endurance events and certain elements can stop you from a race. Stress fractures, broken bones, extreme fatigue are just a few reasons why people stop for a race. I don't blame them.
4) Keep Going
Know you limits and be willing to stop ONLY in extreme measures. Keep going even if you are slowing down. Continue walking if you must during an Ironman, but don't sit down and take a nap.

5) Too much
Sometimes too much of one thing can tear you apart. You may get bored, injured, or sick of it all. Don't go all out all at once. Don't run a marathon without training. Be smart about doing extreme things.

IM CDA Peeps Get Together?

The pages of the calendar are quickly disappearing as we mark time until IM CDA. With that in mind I was wondering if anyone would be interested in an evening get together prior to the event. I was thinking that Thursday night might be a good time.

If you are interested I would be happy to procure dining arrangements. I suspect that resturants in the local area are beginning to fill, so perhaps time is a bit of the essence.

If you are interested perhaps you would be kind enough to leave your thoughts in the comments or email me at alo4 at comcast dot net.

Also please let me know your dining preferences (Italian, Mexican ect.).

Thanks.

Freeze or Swim

Here is a recent article from the Coeur d'Alene Press.

It is beginning to look like we need to prepare for a chilly swim. Perhaps now is the time to start putting that body fat back on.

See you there!

Training Day

Today several of us got together for a mini IM preparation triathlon. Our goal was to get out on the IM CDA course and enjoy the magnificent spring sunshine.

We met at a local pool in Coeur d’Alene, ID for our swim to get things rolling. I swam an easy 2200 yards as a recovery swim after last evening’s master’s session.

Then we headed out on our bikes for one loop of the IM CDA bike course. Fortunately or unfortunately the hilly portions have not smoothed out much since the last time I biked this course. It does seem that there is a corresponding downhill for most of the up hills which is nice. The secret, I believe, is to get a good running start on the down hill portions before the road transforms into an up hill.

Much of the ride is absolutely breathtaking as we travel through pine forests and past beautiful lakes. There is still some snow on the higher hills which only serves to add to the great scenery.

After finishing the bike loop we took off on a run to cover much of one loop of the IM CDA run course. It is a great course that has some slight up hill portions and never seems to veer far from Lake Coeur d’Alene for most of the route.

After finishing I headed home, had a great dinner and a shower, and immediately fell asleep in my recliner. It was a good day and I look forward to my next tour of the IM CDA course in another week and a half.

Now I must rest for Sunday’s upcoming Lilac Bloomsday Run.

P.S. I was talking with an IM CDA official today and he mentioned that plans are being formulated in the event that Lake Coeur d’Alene does not warm up significantly prior to IM race day. Officials are planning on setting up a couple of warming yurts on the beach. These yurts will be readily available for swimmers as a part of T1 to combat the brutal chill that may affect many.

Thank you for reading.

Wildflower

Anybody in our extended Tri-family doing Wildflower this weekend? I did the Long Course last year and my feeling was "Great race! Never again!" It's a little too rough to be doing 7 weeks before CDA. But, to anyone else who is up there, good luck!