Ironman Couer d'Alene

Eric Blakie

Pretty good swim in 1.12 with only a minute or so longer for 2nd half --happy with that.Bike was fine too and after doing the long loop previous Sunday and averaging an easy 20.6 mph was careful not to go too hard to keep a 20mph average on race day which was my target ----didn't do it and ended up about 19.2 in 5.50 hrs---not on target but didn't push it to hit target and felt OK at end of bike.Did my nutrition on plan and took in plenty water /electrolytes peeing a good 4 times on the bike.That pace is fine for me and I'm used to long drag hills far worse than these.However 3 miles into the run the wheels didn't just come off they stopped completely---never had cramps like it and they were in both legs at the back on the outside just above the knee---couldn't even move at times---so the run was just agony in 5.39.08.So I went from being in a position to win my age group to dying and finishing 7th.I'm struggling to explain why---was my bike seat a tadge too high when sitting up for the long drags ? ---or my tri suit which I've only worn for short events has compression fabric on the quads/Hams---did this prevent my muscles form moving freely and strain the tendon ?Anybody any ideas I'd love to hear them.Its 5 days later and my legs are still sore where I cramped which tends to tell me something was stretched too far and not down to dehydration and if I'd gone too hard on the bike my quads would have been wrecked--they weren't.

As for the course ---fabulous as was the support/organisation and what a lovely clean place with a welcoming population where clearly Ironman means a lot.

Dino Sarti

Wow! Sounds like you had a tough, hard won finish. Congrats for hanging tough. I am sure what the root causes could be. Did you do any race rehearsals? Did you use the same clothing?

Mark Cardinale

Eric - i'm not really sure what may have caused your cramping, but i would probably start by looking at what was different than when you rode the course the previous week.  Could be the compression of the trisuit, but suspect you might need to do some experimentation to pinpoint what went wrong.  Despite the problems, congratulations on your finish.  Is that #27?  Absolutely amazing.  It was very nice to meet you and your family.  I'll be pulling for Alan to make it to Kona!  Cheers!

robin sarner

Way to go you Mackem ( is that ok/proper usage?). Not Geordie i know.

Let us know if you discover the prob.