Camper vs Coaching

 I had 2 amazing weeks!!

Week 1 I was a camper at Triathlon Camp run by my coach Marilyn Chayota, in Tucson. I worked hard to finish all my athlete plans so the week would be lighter work-wise. I packed up, fueled up, and drove to Tucson for 6 terrific days.  

Triathlon camp is my favorite activity, well, 2nd to racing.   I get to do what I love every day and be an athlete. No planning, no thinking, just show up and crush me. On a few days, I found myself the weakest rider in my group and embraced that. I stopped looking at watts and focused on staying in the group. Times I felt strong and capable, and other times, I was hearing noises escape from me that sounded like a wounded animal. Every SAG stop, I ate and drank more, pounded the caffeine, and got back into the group.

The Swims, my happy place, were challenging, and I had a draft 👍, someone to chase!  

The Runs were humbling as always. The 5K TT was solid for me, but wow, there were some FAF men and women there, waaaay ahead of me. This is when I focus on myself and how am I running compared to ME and not anyone else.   

The week was fantastic! New friends from all over, all the ware stories, new friendships, and new people to cheer on at races.   Camping outside of your home is key! I could focus on me, not the dogs, my husband, the dishwasher, or the laundry. I could train, eat, sleep, eat, repeat!   I know from camp that eating and fueling are critical to a successful outcome! 

I drove home Sunday with a filthy bike, a car full of laundry, a readiness score of 54, and a mom in the hospital with 8 staples in her head and 7 broken ribs.

I slept like a champ, caught up on work, got ahead, and shifted to our camp! The first of many,  NYX Endurance Camps!   

NYX Camp San Diego fucking rocked!   I could drop the mic and walk away here!

5 days,  19 athletes, 3 coaches, 3 SAG peeps, and hours of fun! We laughed, cheered, pushed, dug deep, ate fantastic food, enjoyed the stunning San Diego Coast, and deepened friendships.   The coaches stayed in houses with our athletes, and that was amazing. The chatter in the house around mixing bottles and sitting in Normatcs's is impossible to replicate in any other way. There is something about making coffee together and eating breakfast that is a level up.  

The camp is about logistics and more logistics as a coach, but that is all in the planning. Once it kicks off, it is about watching people, pushing when they need it, encouraging when they need it, chatting to get up a climb, or swearing a lot so they know that is helpful. At NYX, it's never been, MY athlete. It's OUR athletes, and camp allowed us to coach, encourage, swear with everyone.   I appreciated getting to know so many new faces and deepening relationships that were merely acquaintances.

I left camp with a full heart! 
Excited for the next camp!

Sad it was over!

Tired AF, readiness score 47, an all-time low. 

What's next..... Oceanside and Ironman St George. I took a deep dive into the start list of both races. COVID is OVER, and racing is back. Deep AG Fields at both races. #bringiton 

New year, back at it..... Step out of the comfort zone

It's been a minute since I blogged, it seems my Insta stories are my cathartic release of what is going on, but I miss blogging. As in the past, the longer I go without writing, the longer it takes to start up, because where to do you start? 

I start with Jan 29. Laura and Jen, we game to sign up for local Gracel Race,  Gravel, and Whine. Described as a 79-mile mixed surface bike ride through Temecula. Many challenging climbs, soft sand, and rough roads. I read this as a great ride through Temecula with some dirt and climbing. I have been on my gravel bike 3x since July, yes 3 times, so my skills were rusty at best and gone at worst  I was thinking my 1-hour gravel ride 3 weeks ago was refined; we will be fine.

These Kits....@bettydesigns crushed it again! 
Compliments ALL day!  

We signed up for the Decanter, the 79-mile option because we go long. Leading up to the ride, L asked how long it may take, and when I really looked at the course and thought about it, I realized it could be 6-7 hours, but that still seemed FINE.

We showed up in our fabulous new kits and decided how bad it could be. Totally unlike a Tri, we were in the back, backing up in the back, for the "spirited start"  3 fast miles on the road in 40 degrees was cold AF; the road ended, and the dirt started. Within a few miles, we hit the sand, as in beach sand, 3+ inches thick, people falling over and then pushing their bikes. I was muscling the bike along and then onto some sketchy uphill sections with deep trenches. 10ish miles in, my front wheel in the ditch, and I am off the bike, bloody knee and banged hip. My first thought was my new kit, but thankfully it was just dirty; welcome to Gravel. 

Eventually, we settled into some good gravel and then some roads. How I know I am not 100% a gravel racer, I breathe a sigh when I hit the pavement. But sooner than later, we were climbing and then descending this steep AF gravel hill, cramping hands on the brakes, wishing I could just let it rip, but scared of crashing and repeating the broken pelvis of BWR. I kept repeating it's January, and you have 3 Ironman races this year! My tip-over bent my set screw, so my chain was now dropping on the inside of my rear cassette whenever I was on the steepest part of the climb. Minor meltdown with the 4th dropped chain had to pee and was hangry. Gosh, I love this!  

We hit the aid station mile 24 or actually 28 and had a  "come to Jesus" The Decanter would likely take us 6+ hours. We were cold, not crushing it, and decided to "downgrade" to the Taster and turn around. We both felt wimpy until we hit that massive dirt climb and were once again walking/pushing our bikes up the GD hill.   Back on our bikes and happy that we only had 15 miles to go but not knowing if that meant going back through the "beach."  

 We hit a fork in the road, and a red sign said left, and the blue sign went right. We followed the red sign, forgetting we switched to the blue ride. Up another steep AF road but paved and down again to see a hill on the horizon that could not possibly be meant to ride up, but we could see tiny people pushing bikes up the hill. Mind you, these were the people who were 20+ miles faster than us, and they were pushing their bikes. We did not turn around; then, we decided to go all-in and possibly make it 20 yards before tipping over. After chatting, we decided that walking the remaining .5+ miles up the will would not win us any awards; besides, we were nearly in last place and, of course. One more wrong turn, and we were back on the road headed for the bottomless sandpit.

We finished in just over 4 hours and added did 3+ bonus miles, we did not cross the finish line, and the few who saw our bibs and actually thought we had done the whole 79 miles were a tad surprised, but we assured them that we did NOT.

Was the day fun? Yes

We laughed, swore, and had our asses handed to us. We were passed by nearly everyone and some of them twice.   When I started riding Gravel 2 years ago, it was to get out of my comfort zone, and Saturday was a reminder that I was way out! My confidence as a road rider is high; it is very low in Gravel. It's humbling, scary, and yet invigorating and fun.  

Huge shout out to Shana, whom I coach, who crushed the Taster on a rented bike and her first time on Gravel!  Kudos! 

Thank you to Gravel and Whine for a great local race!  I do not take racing for granted and appreciate a well-fun race.   The Bang at the finish line was magnificent but where was it at the aid station?  

Post-ride was wine tasting and food, none of which was vegan, but I planned for that.  

It was a fun day, and while mid-ride, I was saying n f'ing way, I know we will be back next year and may even do a little recon riding on those hills that do not seem rideable.  

 

Stop Whining….

 

This post parlays on my last post about “It’s not fair” You can check that out if you missed it. 

https://www.blogger.com/blog/post/edit/3661547083020423819/5145556322009754003    

The whinging (good Aussie slang) is all about Feb Kona 22 being moved. 

 1- what did you expect?

•  Since the announcement, there has been 0 information or follow-up.  A promising sign, there were issues.
• The rumor hit the street last week the Feb World Championships were moving.  Where would they possibly move a Feb race?  
• Any country warm enough is strickter than HI, so let’s look at N American? What FL?  That would be the WORST decision. Some say why not hold in StG in February, great idea, Feb 7, 21 was a low of 35 and a high of 64, imagine the water temperature.  So they moved to May and combined with Ironman StG.

 2- NO one is forced to race in May, so move your entry to October and be done with it

• Yes, the race is over 2 days, with over 2000 athletes already qualified; what is the option?  The pier cannot hold 4000 bikes!
• Finally. Women get their own race and 50 Women to Kona! And we do not have to start 1 hour + after the pro’s.
• But I hear complaints, “it’s not the same”  Tell me what in your life right now IS the same as it was pre-COVID-19?   There will be ups and downs about racing over 2 days, but it is what it is. Why not back-to-back days?  The men need to rack their bikes and that cannot happen when there is a race going on. 
• Why do people accept changes in all facets of life but then expect triathlon to be just like it was?
• The veiled threats of “no more Ironman” It’s your choice, but a heads up the non branded races are not the same either. 

3- I’ve heard:

• “I don’t want to share the WC (World Championship) with nonqualifiers.” 
•  Newsflash, 2000 people, are NOT going to choose to race in StG in May, so without the IMStG racers, there is NO WC. And who cares!
•  “I don’t feel right racing a WC as I am signed up for StG.”  Get over it. Do you want to race StG? Race it.  This was not your decision, embrace it, show up and race.
• If you signed up for IMStG and now don’t want to race it, bonus, you can transfer to ANY 2022 NA Ironman, even Alaska, which is sold out.  Transfer and get on with it. 
• I don’t work for Ironman, but I give them kudos for managing a challenging situation!!

 
Well done at 70.3 Worlds; no one was going to be happy.  Did the women have worse weather? Yes,  But managed the transition well; we did not have to be there at 5 am for a 9:30 start.  They made the swim non-wetsuit and did not call the race when it started lightening.  Everyone had the opportunity to race and finish!  

 
There is no way to replace Kona, so why not go to StG, give the Pro’s a race and give those who WANT to a chance to race outside of Kona. 

 

It's NOT Fair, my 3 LEAST favorite words

 

The amount of bitching and complaining today is ridiculous! 

If I read one more "it's not fair" about the wave start times for the 70.3 World Championships! 

NOT Fair is

- being left in Afghanistan
- working in the Twin Towers 20 years ago today
- being separated from your mom at the border 

Starting your triathlon later than you like, no not IDEAL!  

This race was supposed to be spread over 2 days, Women racing on Friday and Men racing on Saturday.  Fewer people each day and likely everyone would be racing by 8am.

However, we are still in the middle of a fucking pandemic, hospitals are full, volunteers are not plentiful and we are LUCKY to be racing!   This race could have been canceled with 100% cause. 

It was not ideal to be pushed to Saturday, I know, I had to alter my travel plans and accommodations, but I still GET to race.  This "World" Championship is basically a Noth American Championship as many cannot travel from overseas due to COVID. I am guessing they would be happy to start at 9:25 IF they could race. 

With over 4000 people, what is FAIR?  NO ONE will be happy.  Start the women first and there will be hundred of complaints about being swum over and passed on the bike aggressively by ALL the men. Alternate the waves, sure that may be more equitable, but that is NOT happening.  Bitching about it does NOTHING but fuel more negativity.  

For the people continually complaining about Ironman, STOP, signing up for races, you have a choice!  There was an independent 70.3 race today in Boulder.   NO ONE is forcing you to show up in St. George and race.   

There is a multitude of gender equality issues to work on!  Find some that affect real life and get out there and make a difference. 

As Mike Reilly says, you can control one thing and that is your ATTITUDE!

Show up!

Kick-Ass! 

Have Fun!

STOP BITCHING!!!  

Belgian Waffle Ride

 Wow, just Wow.

I bought a gravel bike in 2019 with 0 experience on the dirt.  I signed up for the Belgian Waffle Ride, a 132-mile adventure of gravel and road racing.   My plan for 2020 was no triathlon and learn to ride in the dirt.   Well, there was no triathlon due to Covid, and I did my best to learn.  I can ride a road bike, a tri bike, but man, this gravel thing was hard.  I felt under tired (as in not enough tread in the dirt) and overtired (too much tired on the road). Welcome to BWR.  

I headed to BWR on Ironman training with a few long rides in the dirt and 2 weeks of panic training on the dirt sections. I did not commit to the dirt, as I was always scared, but I rode off and on.  When it was clear, or sort of clear BWR 2021 was happening, I recommitted; however, I managed to sign up for an Ironman 3 weeks prior; after 18 months of no triathlon, my heart was with swim/bike/run, and gravel became my back up training.

I was honored to the line with Matt and Kristin, 6x finishers, and they invited me to ride with them; I was nervous AF!   I filled my pockets and bag with Precision Hydration Tabs (750mg sodium per tablet), another 1500 mg of salt tablets,  bags of Spring Energy Drink Mix, PBnJ's, and some caffeine tabs.  With temps predicted to be over 100, hello Coeur d'Alene, I was armed for the heat. After not dying in CdA, I was feeling confident about the heat.  

We rolled out at 7:10, 2nd wave with all the BWR Women.  40 or so and a tight group, the plan was to stay with the group to the dirt. Tight group and surges, and I was nervous.  I was so afraid of going down.  The 14 miles flew by as I was hanging on and paying attention.

 We hit Lemon Twist, and I was so stressed as there are technical parts, and I was afraid that everyone would be flying over the rocks and I would be the lame-ass holding everyone up; turns out there were many who were less skilled than I, and we walked the sections I was scared about, a sigh of relief.  I wanted to get through Hodges and then relax.   We hauled ass when we could actually passing others on the dirt; I was smiling ear to ear, thinking, ha, look at me passing people on the dirt.

 Water crossing, yes yes yes the bridge was up, popped up on it and over!  Another huge sigh of relief.  Aid station 1, finished my 2nd bottle, 1000 mg sodium, and 400 calories; it was already hot!   Mule trail was fine, fast, and only a few sandy spin-outs and up Highland Valley.  We managed out watts here for the 11-mile beastly climb.  Rolling into Ramona, it was close to 100, and we were out of water.

Aid station # 2 heading into Black Canyon, I guzzled 24 oz and filled up 48 oz, 1500 mg sodium and 300 calories, and 1/2 lukewarm coke. The water was tepid, but it was wet!   Where was the ICE???

Black Canyon 6.7 miles of gravel, dirt, washboard, and over 1500 ft of elevation and now well over 101.  Shit got real here, HOT, and hard.  I slowed way down here; it was time to manage the watts.  People were literally stopping in tiny shade spots, hung over their bikes, not looking good, and no SAG out there.  The aid station was at the top and was a war zone, bikes laid all over, people under tables, any viable fluid was being drunk.   I downed 24 oz water, filled up 48 oz more, and the poured 24 oz over my head.  3000 mg sodium (combo PH + salt tabs), 1/2 coke, PBJ, fig newton - yuck, spit that out,  and some other calories. No ice, warm coke, but it was liquid.   People were dropping, lost K here on the brink of heat exhaustion, I am guessing; she was grey and not well.  Thankfully Matt agreed to keep going.

Hit Mesa Grande, and he says, "we need to make up time"  He slaps his ass, as in getting on my wheel, and damn, he drilled it hard.  He was into the headwind, and I was holding on for dear life.  Around Santa Isabel and nice descent, it was like riding into a hairdryer, but it was at least moving air and the back into Black Canyon.  We had to climb back out, and it was so hot and dusty, and the washboard was jarring.  This was my first thought of; I am not having so much fun right now.  My teeth were chattering from the washboard, my arms are tired, and I started yelling fuck a lot; that seemed to help.  Every turn, I was sure I would see the aid station.  Finally, there it was, more tepid water and well more of the same.  This was a very low point; please, where is the ice and anything cold.  I started eating PB Pretzels and slugging coke.  2000 mg sodium and more caffeine.   I peed while waiting for water; the idea of taking off my jersey and going to a porta-potty was overwhelming. 

Okay, out of Ramona and down the 76,  slight reprieve!  Up next to Sandy Bandy Canyon, it was hot and well sandy.  I was having less fun at this point, blister forming on my hands, and the dirt was getting hard.  We pooped out on Bandy Canyon Road for a hot climb out, and there was Les and Jen.  OMG, ice? Ice? Ice? They had cold La Croix and went to get ice.  On we went, it was feeling a bit like a death march on the Mule Trail but alas, an aid station and the golden vision of friends with ice. 3000mg sodium, cold water, and cold Dr. Pepper, and I was like a new person.  I took 100mg caffene tab + the DrP.   

Back to Hodges, and I could tell I was waning, losing focus, and my eyes felt like there filled with gravel.  Somewhere around 110, I was doing my best to stay with Mat,t and the next thing I knew, I was on the ground, slid out, and BAAM hard.   I laid there stunned.  Matts stops, looks back, and asks, anything broken?  I don't think so, and unclip and wiggle out, ask him for a minute to get my witts.  My left shoulder, elbow, thigh, and calf are on fire and bleeding.  Fuck me!  Hop on and go, not really thinking about what happened but really not happy. I think we are getting off the fucking dirt at every turn, every bump hurt, and I was struggling to focus.  I just followed Matt.  At one point, we did not see anyone else; I said, " are we dead last or what?"    

Finally, the road, even though it was climbing Del Dios, I was happy to be on asphalt.  Matts says we will chill and DD and then hit it at Elfin; I laugh.  Onto Elfin, and I do all I can to suck his wheel; as hard as that was, I at least had a wheel and company.  Questhaven, more dirt + aid station.  More tepid water slammed a coke, 1000 mg sodium pills, nothing tastes good right now.  I cannot chew the pretzels, so I take AwesomeSauce Gel 180 calories.   On we go, and the climb was just bloody hard, 23 % at one point; I tried not to think about Double Peak.  Soon we turn up Double Peak and stay in the moment, did not look ahead, and slowly tackled the climb up.  Tried standing, and that was too painful; I got a push from Jule and saw a few friends.  Finally, the top, aid station, more coke, and the steepest bit on the dirt, and I slid out, unclipped the push my bike up the last bump, and then down.

I was delirious and told Matt to go, the final dirt section is slippery, and I knew I would be slow.  My mantra was, "stay upright" Man, everything hurt but finally, the road and down toward the finish.  The last bit was a Crit through horrible gravel, bumpy dirt, and then the magic finish line!  

OMG, that was hard... 

Ride Time: 9:25

Elapsed Time: 10:19 Absolutely crazy, I know.  We did not waste time, but we had to wait for water, lines of 5 deep, and there was no way I was skipping water in that heat.   I want to trim this to 15 min total next year; yes, I said it, next year 😁

Totals for the day:

Water bottles: 20 x 24 oz bottles

Cokes: 2-4, not sure 

Sodium: 9-10,000mg - Precision Hydration is the way to go!! Ph 1500 has 750mg of sodium per tab and it tastes great 

Calories: Min 2500 more likely 3000

Mechanicals: 0  Thank you, Mike Plumb and Jason at Trek Solana

 

Takeaways...

- eating and drinking will make or break your race

- salt is your friend 

- I've never seen carnage like that, people cramping and laying on the ground 

- Get your bike tuned up and ready to go

- Tubeless tires with new sealant 

- Sunscreen 

- This race is NO JOKE!  Don't underestimate the course

Ironman Coeur d'Alene 2021 #didnotdisappoint

 My first thought is FckYa!!!

I am not a writer, I am not eloquent, and I stress about that sometimes, but today, this is from the gut, the heart, and how it went down. 

Weather Forecast of 101 was terrifying to me for so many reasons, but mostly the fact I sweat out 74oz per hour + 2200 mg of sodium and the Korey Stringer Institute told me, "best plan for you is cool races, you are not meant to race in the heat."

But CdA was going to HOT.  I freaked out mid-week, for a minute and then worked on my mental game to focus on what I could control. my attitude, my race plan, and my nutrition.

Saturday: 3000MG of sodium throughout the day + 575 g of Carbohydrates, I don't count calories but focus on all the carbs!  No whole grains or veggies.

Sunday:  Terrible night sleep; I usually get 5 hours pre-race, I got maybe 3.

- Did not poop in AM; it happens 360 days of the year, but NOT race day (ever)
+ 600 calories PBJ on organic white bread
+ Yeti Cup Coffee (first caffeine in 7 days, and it was amazing)  Yes, I did a caffeine taper, and it was glorious to feel the drug running through my veins again.

+ 1000 mg sodiym from PH 1000 I+ BCAAs

+ 1500 mg PH in  Togo cup 

- out the door 3:50 and at Transition by 4.  All good, tires pumped 85/90pst, 3 bottles on the bike (2 frozen), 3 bottles in a Whole Foods Cold Bag with ice to special needs, frozen hydration vest, Run Special needs - handheld bottle and back up everything (socks, glide, gels, salt pills, caffeine pill)

Hung with the NYX crew,  was legit 100% relaxed!  

 

Go time, and it was magic on the beach with Mike Reilly and the music, this is my happy place.  Chilled with Potter, a long-time IM friend, and saw many friendly faces, more of what I love about Ironman.   15 years of racing and some of these peeps I only see at races.

 

Off- 2 loops swim, and it was solid, 2nd loop a bit choppy and chaotic as we were catching the swimmers who entered later.  56:36 solid, not my best or worst, but came out feeling great! Swimming in that chop is when you alter your stroke, short and fast, not reaching and gliding.  This is where band only swimming pays off.

Bike.  Loop 1 was what Ironman should be, holding back, feeling great, and rolling!   Loop 2, the heat was ON, hot AF, and this was my first strategic decision, back it off 10-15 watts; this will be a race of attrition. Be smart and fuel, fuel!!  

- 14 bottles = 336 oz of fluid, 8000 mg sodium (combo PH 1500 and Spring), 1650 calories of Spring Energy Hydration + 1/2 of a Speed Nut Gel (Spring), 1/4 of PBJ - too hot to eat.  5:40:37.  At the end of loop 1, I thought I can ride 5:40, but I am SO glad I dialed it back and trusted my gut.  

Rolling into T2, my feet were on fire, I was on fire, I slowed .5 miles out to grab 2 large ice-cold bottles of water.   I was SO lucky to be racked under a tree.  I sat in the grass and poured 48 oz of ice water over my head, down my jersey on my feet. This was my 2nd strategic decision, don't rush T2.  It was over 7 min, but I was cool, hydrated, and ready to go.

Run:  My legs were good, but man, it was hot.  Off I went, forcing myself to slow down.  It was so amazing to see the NYX Tent and all-out sherpas.  The CdA run course is always special, but in that heat, the support of the neighbors with hoses EVERY where + sprinklers, + the aid stations was a saving grace.  John let me know my lead was substantial and to be smart and NOT overrun.   I walked the aid stations to get in as much ice/water/liquid I could.  I ran the first 9miles with my hydration pack and drank 1.5L + 1500 mg of sodium.  Game changer.  Onto loop 2, it was so hot, I used very host, super soaker, water option to try and stay cool.  I dropped the vest at mile 10 and used my handheld, which did not have a spout big enough for ice, ARH!!!  So was hemorrhaging time getting fluids at the aid stations. On this lap, people are dropping, on the grass, on the sidewalk, and so so many walking.  My plan just to keep running!   I was taking in 500ml every 2 miles with 750mg sodium.  Every 45 min a Spring Energy Gel and was good!    Onto loop 3, and the shit gets real.  I am convinced we are on the surface of the sun,  Shit got real fast, and now it's all mental.

- Walk only to the aid stations

- Keep moving

-Be happy you are not puking like that guy or shitting yourself like that girl; you have done both many times

- Remember how lucky I am to be racing

- Realize most are walking around me, except for the speedsters going in the other direction

- this is the last time I will see that kid
dy pool, that unicorn - is that a unicorn, or am I hallucinating? It's a unicorn.  

- The teenagers in bikinis handing out OtterPops was probably the most amazing thing ever, thank them, and don't yell, "put some clothes on, you will ruin that beautiful skin in the sun, look at all my wrinkles?"  Remember to get one on the way back too. 

- Mild panic around  20 when I had to poop, oh no, oh no, without too much detail, let's just say I pooped- said a prayer to the GI Gods for a solid poo and not what was all over the porta-potty. 

So far, I have donated a hydration pack with a broken buckle and my handheld water bottle.- Ran a mile chanting to myself, I pooped, I pooped.  At this point, I realize I am losing it, cannot recall if I drank or not, oh wait, look at the bottle you are carrying, and one time I looked down, and it was gone, no clue where I left that. Realizing my hands are empty is entertaining for a while.

At- Next aid station, I see a guy in the kiddie pool meant for the cold towels, volunteers are yelling at him, and I am jealous.  Time for Pepsi; how much can I drink at every aid station 

- Next thing I know, it was mile 25 and time to go.. leave what I had on the course. There was not a lot, but it was running to the finish line.

The IM CdA finish line is amazing. Sherman Ave is packed with screaming people, and it's a slight downhill, and boom, there is the red carpet.  Cue the tears for Ironman #16. I cry at every finish line!  

Nuggets of WHAT worked 

- Visor over the hat, a first for me!  the ability to cool my head was key

- BettyDesigns for the best kits on the course!  

- Changed from my NYX Kit to NYX Tank and Lulu shorts for the run!  

- Smashfest bra with pockets, 4 gels in my bra, no issues, no chafing!

- Smashfest socks with BodyGlide Liquid in the socks. 0, let me again say 0 blisters, and my feet were soaked from mile 1.  This is a FIRST for me!  The socks are magic 

- Hydration pack for 9 miles, no way to get that amount of fluid in from aid stations

- Liquid nutrition on the bike, good luck chewing, and eating in 101 degrees. 

The AG win is fantastic, but the bigger win was managing the heat!  I think I have FINALLY figured it out....  we shall see on 10/9.   

My #1 fan and love was ALL over that course, John. I cannot imagine racing Ironman without him, and so so appreciate his commitment.  Huge thanks to Coach Marilyn; this was a big win for both of us!  So excited to keep rocking!   

Racing alongside my business partners Laura and Alison, along with 9 NYX Athletes, was exceptional.  Seeing our kits all over the course, run by the NYX tent each time, brought a giant smile to my face. We have created something special.

Our athletes spanned from 11:27- 16:49, and we were there to cheer them on!  Cheering on our final athletes at 11:30pm was the perfect closure to an amazing day.  

27% DNF rate, highest in Ironman history.  It was a day!!  And one I am eternally grateful for, I now am NOT afraid of the heat! 

T-9 days to Ironman Coeur d'Alene

It's been 2 years and 7 months since I raced an Ironman. 

 

2008 Finish 

My last Ironman was Ironman Cozumel, a decent day with an AG win, losing 11 lbs, and a long visit in the med tent.

 

My intent was to race Kona 2019, but my torn hamstring derailed that. 

 

We all know what 2020 brought.

 

Ironman Coeur d'Alene holds many special places for me; I have always raced well there!   

1: My first Ironman 2008

2: My first KQ 2009
3: My first AG Win 2016
4: 2021? 

Here is what I know:

• I am over the moon excited and scared, too, par for the course.
• I feel ready, really ready until I don't.  "taper tantrums."
• It's going to be HOT AF!  Not ideal, but so be it.
• The run is my "weak" spot, and I have been working hard on it.  Last Sunday was a breakthrough; after a long hard ride Saturday+ a T run, I had a 3 hour run Sunday.  2 hours on trials with the ladies, and then 1 hour 10-15 sec faster than race pace, GO.  Hillary paced it like a boss, and we ran 17 seconds faster than the goal race pace.  Did it hurt? Yes, Could I have run 6 more on race day? YES!
• We have 13 NYX Endurance Athletes Racing,  5 of which I have the honor of coaching!  
• Racing alongside my athletes, fellow coaches, and NYX Athletes is what I live for.
• Did I mention how hot it will be?  
• Finish line feels are the best.
  
•  Beyond the NYX crew, many other tribes will be out there,  the SFQ Crew!  
• I know I will give it all I have on race day, leave nothing out there get after it!  

 The other tribe got me thinking; that is part of what I love so much about this sport.   I have my NYX Tribe of business partners, friends, and athletes.  I have my SFQ Tribe, from years of torturous amazing Hillary Biscay Camps and then Betty Tribe with connections I made on the squad and my connection to Kristin.  To have many tribes, I feel very blessed!  

2009 Race Recp Julie Dunkle Ironman Coach: Kona bound... (jdunkle.blogspot.com)

2016 Race Recap Julie Dunkle Ironman Coach: Ironman Coeur d'Alene- YES! (jdunkle.blogspot.com)

    2016 CdA