After my second disappointment of the season in St. George with the DNF due to that stripped lock nut on my cassette (I think I'll always 'reel' over that one) the decision to race IM Coeur d'Alene was apparent within hours after the race.  I remember calling Scott and telling him that I felt I now needed to do Coeur d'Alene.  At first, we didn't decide for sure, as IM Canada has been the "A" race all year, but after some time to digest it, Scott and I both agreed that the Coeur d'Alene and Canada Ironman duos this summer would be very, very do-able, still allowing Canada to remain an "A" race...now it would just be sharing that status with Coeur d'Alene.  With increased base in my body from the huge bouts of training I have been doing compared to the last two years (when I was in the classroom) this has allowed me to play with the schedule a bit and to ensure proper rest, recovery, build, speed, and taper....between the two races... and to be in excellent form for both. 

Coeur d'Alene, until this time, had never been a race I had considered.  I always felt it would just interfere with Canada, so regardless if it was in my backyard, it always came second to the prospect of Canada, which is even more so in by backyard (and a race that is MORE than just a race to me.)  Gee...I'm lucky to have so many great races on hand!!!  Nice!  Anyways, as soon as the decision was made to race Coeur d'Alene, Scott made it clear that he wanted me to experience the course.  The turns, the twists, the variation...."that course can eat you alive if you don't know what to expect" I remember hearing someone say.  Regardless, the universe was trying to tell me something and I was heeding to its advice...just not sure how it would unfold yet.

 Then literally a few days after Scott told me he would like me to ride the course, I received an out of the blue email from a friend in Washington, Sam Barnes (who I met at Boise 70.3 last year just after racking my bike for the very first time at the pro bike rack which I was SOOO excited about!) Anyways, in the email he said, "If you'd like to come and train on the CdA course, let me know.  I have a place for you to stay and I know the course well...you'd have a tour guide!"  Now...when life simply puts things in your lap and says,"here you go" it's pretty tough to say no.  So, last weekend, Sam and I had an epic weekend training on the Coeur d'Alene course which he is also training for at the end of June!

I headed from Penticton on Saturday morning driving through the farm fields and mellow atmosphere of the rural US.  I am starting to find solace in driving through this part of the world, and really quite enjoy it.  Although the US and Canada are so similar, there is something distinct about being in the US that reminds you that you are not in Canada any longer.  It's subtle, but I enjoy it.  It's a reminder that you just never really know what to expect and that life truly IS an adventure if you so choose to live it that way.

 Sam and I met around 3:30 in the afternoon and right away hopped on our bikes.  Both of us were a bit lethargic, so we spun easily and chatted about the course and all other things discussed while out on the road.  We then did a 35 minute t-run to get the legs moving.  We both knew the next day would truly be...EPIC!  Sam happened to snap a cable (interestingly EXACTLY what happened to me at IMC last year) and so decided to ride the weekend in his small chain ring.  Good spinning for the legs for SURE!

 On Sunday morning we had a good breakfast and hopped on our way.  The clouds surrouding us were threatening constantly for a downpour...but it never happened.  The course is incredible.  The first bit swings out around the lake and back, then through the city and then into the rural 'poppers.'  There are some good ones out there, and you have to be mindful of them.  They may not be super long, but there are many of them...and some have some steepness to them that will stay with you all day if you go too hard.  You have to be smart with this section or the course really will eat you alive.  You cannot underestimate this section of the course. 

It was an awesome experience of 180 km. of riding. Just awesome.  Passing by signs on the road that said, "Beer and a haircut - 5 bucks." Love it.  Then a stand out in the middle of nowhere with gels, bars, drink....all for IM athletes.  The whole place has a good feel to it and I was so happy to have had the experience to ride this amazing course with exceptional variety before race day. 

Then after the 180 km. the steady run awaited.  2 hours of it...which included a loop of the course and the bit from the hotel to transition and back again which tacked on another 30 minutes or so.  Again...VARIETY is the name of the game.  There is always something different.  The scenery changes, the twists and turns of the course....it's really different from any course I've ever experienced.  Beyond this, I was very pleased with how I ran for the 2 hours after the 180 km....and after some big weeks.  It was the confidence booster that I so very much needed in a time where the setbacks have seemed more numerous than the 'go aheads.'  But life is like that, and to learn resilience, toughness, and perseverance is just part of the deal.  In fact...I think that's what Sam said when we got back from our 180 km. of riding with the knowledge that a long/steady run awaited.  He said, "It's just part of the deal."  Yes, Sam...yes it is.  And the sooner we accept that life has these 'deals' and learn to embrace them...the better off we are!

Sam then headed off that night so that he could be back for surgery his wife was undergoing the next morning, and I proceeded to sleep in the next morning in my glorious king sized bed...and treated myself to breakfast in bed the next day. HOW AWESOME WAS THAT?  Pretty awesome!

Thanks again, Sam, for the amazing experience this weekend!  You're going to rock that course at the end of June and a Kona slot is for sure in your very near future!!!