Coeur D’Alene 140.6 (6/27/2021)
This is my very first IM and I’m not good at writing so I will write as much detail as I can. I was supposed to do my very first IM in Santa Rosa in 2020, but due to Covid19, the only option in 2021 is CDA. Also, the next day is my birthday, so I think it will be a good present for myself. The place is definitely a beautiful one to race. After I picked this race, I did some research and I found out the bike course is hilly and I have to train more on the hill.The style was traditional style, so all the gears will be in the transition area. I always have this style, so I don’t know the differences. I did get two special needs bags for running and biking, but didn’t use them at all. The weather condition was 100 degrees. My Garmin was showing 108 degrees during my ride.
————Here is how I prepare this race (free feel to skip)——————
** Hotel Thanks Niki Henkel for recommending the CDA resort, it was really convenient. With family, this place is the best. Walking distance to finish line and transition area.My plan to finish the race
** Nutrition Nuun, gummy bears, sour patch, toast, payday(1/hour – Thanks Ingrid Loos Miller), salt capsules(1/hour Thanks Diane Garrido-Lecca)
** Mechanic 53/39 11/28 to 52/36 11/32
** Prevent heat and cramp Calf sleeve, arm sleeve, two zip locks for ice storage(Thanks Mark Arenal) , road helmet (need air), 4 bottles.
** When to sleep I went to bed around 9:00 pm since 6 hours straight is good enough for me. To prevent waking up in the middle of night, I took ZZZquil.
** OthersZZZquil (for sleeping – the day before race day) and probiotic (prevent diarrhea – on race day)
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Swim – 1:39:35
The swim was a two loop swim. The water temperature was good. I heard it was 70.3 degrees. I picked the group 1:30-1:40 and started before 7 am. I had cramps on both calves, but was able to finish. I was really worried that I was gonna fail. When I finished and stood up from the water, I couldn’t stand steady. That was kinda embarrassing.
T1 – 9:34
After I came back to T1, it was so peaceful because most of the athletes biked out already. I was hungry and started enjoying my toast and went to the restroom and then got ready for my bike.
Bike – 7:56:58
It’s a two loops bike and hilly with heat for this year. It started from the streets in town and many people including volunteers and residents cheered on you. This is what we want, isn’t it? The temperature was still ok at that time (around 9 am). I felt good on the first loop, but started getting ice water and ice before I finished the first loop because all my water became warm and to survive and finish, I think I had to stop all aid stations from now on. The second loop started getting hard because the heat was getting worse and after mile 80, I started getting cramping legs here and there. I stopped all aid stations and refilled ice water and ice and cooled me down until I finished. Biking under 100 degrees wasn’t fun at all. The heat totally messed up my biking time. I was really happy I was able to finish the bike.
T2 – 17:42
I felt the heat already destroyed me. I felt tired so I spent a little longer in T2.
Run – 6:01:21
It’s a three loop run. I started at a slow pace to make sure my legs were ok. Although I think running is my strong part, with adding more and more miles, my legs got cramping here and there, so I had to walk more. I felt my body was ready to shut down any minute at mile 25. I started biting my hands and talked to another athlete to keep me awake until I heard “Tewen, you are an Ironman”
This was my first Ironman and I felt I couldn’t finish without volunteers. They were great and helpful to pour water on my head/body and refill water for me. It’s not easy to explain how I appreciate them. Thank you Melinda Scharf, you were one of them.
Thank you Andrew Soderberg for always cheering on me on the course. I saw you many times during the race, felt good when I saw people I know cheering on me.
Finally and of course, the big thanks for my family to come here with me and be tolerant of my training schedule. Thank you Tracy Chang , Amberlyn and Alec. I hope when my kids grow up, they will understand.
