Ironman Coeur D'Alene

I raced IM CDA last year, and the bike is not as climbing-oriented as
IM LP, but is hotter and every bit as demanding technically. The
headwind coming back from Washington was as much a factor as the 2
climbs/lap. The run course is mostly a series of long gradual grades up
and down, with the only real steep hill at the "degree of diffculty"
section. The course passes along the lake and is scenic, with the last
mile of the run into the chute all downhill, so that is nice. Good luck
with your training and personally, I'm working on my aero position for
my return trip to IM CDA.

slowclyde said:

Training for Ironman Coeur D'Alene in June. Would love some tips for
the race. Challenging parts of the bike/run? Any issues with
altitude?

For those competitors from the SF Bay Area, any recommendations for
biking/running routes that resemble the course?

I have done the race twice. The first year was really hot, like 108
degrees on parts of the course. But even worse, I think, was the chip
seal surface on the bike course. It is just as hard for everyone, but
psychologically, it seemed like slow going.

The aid stations were just fine on both the bike and run. The swim is
cold clear water...and the chop has some serious potential so hope for a
calm morning.

The year I did the race at Lake Placid, the bike leg was held in
constant rain and for some reason didn't seem as hard as Idaho although
there is considerably more climbing. The marathon at CDA seemed fairly
smooth and rolling and dry. Lake Placid seemed damned humid and hilly.

Altitude at CDA is about 2000' and I found it to not be a factor for me.
Good luck, JC