Ironman Coeur d'Alene 2010 Race Report: Pre Race

We arrived into Spokane Airport on Thursday, June 24th. All of a sudden, it hit me. This was real. I was going to be doing an Ironman, didn't quite believe yet, that I would become one. Our flight was uneventful. I sat next to a man from Houston who was doing his second, his first being Brazil. He was very nervous (I was not nervous at all compared to this guy)...he had expectations...to break 11 hours. We talked the whole flight, he gave me tips, we chatted about our triathlon history. He was debating whether or not to do another IM that opened up in his community or the Boston Marathon. Since he already qualified, I told him to do that...it's so wonderful.

We managed to get to Hayden, ID pretty quick after the airport. No big deal. We were all starving, but knew we needed groceries, so did that.

Eric's parents met us at the house with my firstborn. It was great to see them, but again, starving and nervous. Not a great combination.

Our house was on Hayden Lake, 83 steps from the water. We were tucked away in a cove with all kinds of wildlife and greenery. It was remarkable. The beauty and landscape in the Northwest is so different than Colorado.

My parents arrived from California late that night. It was wonderful to see them and know that they were there for me.

My brothers, Trevor and Jeremy, came in from Chicago and California the next morning.

Friday, Eric and I arrived at Race Headquarters in Cd'A to pick up my race packet, get my transition bags, purchase some souvenirs and get last minute items. I wasn't too intimidated by what I saw, but I did sense the weight of what I had trained for and what I would be doing in two days. Went to a pre-race mandatory meeting that was unnecessary...arrived on time, but they started the meeting 20 minutes early. Oh well...I wasn't gonna win, just follow the people in front, I guess, and review my information.

We returned to the house to see my brothers. The house could not have been more perfect. It turned out to be my refuge, my place of reflection and rest in the midst of what what swirling all around and inside me. We went out on the boat, went fishing, watched the kids swim, ate dinner altogether. I was nervous, but everything else provided a great distraction and reminder of the important things in life.

Saturday, we returned to Cd'A to turn in my bike and transition bags. I love this because it provides so much less to do on race morning, when the brain leaves the body.

My dear friend, AC, showed up Saturday night from home. I told her she didn't need to come, but she insisted because no one else she knows has done anything this big...it was important to her. What a great friend. I am blessed.

I was very pensive on Saturday. Fear of the unknown, I suppose. I asked my brother what his take was on "nerves", since he's a musician, composer and performer. He said that they indicate he's alive, that he's doing something worthwhile with his life...as opposed to anxiety that has nothing to attach to, it's just a meaningless fear with no true root or anchor. I loved that...his insight provided great comfort for me. I spent some time in prayer, being grateful, seeking, praying that my day would be about glorifying God, about being reminded of his faithfulness. My training would have been impossible without him.

I went to bed at 10:00..a decent hour. Fell asleep rather quickly. Everything was in it's place...all I had to do in the morning was drink coffee; eat my hot cereal, peanut butter, banana and milk; pray for a poop and do it; get dressed; grab my gear and go.