Comments on: Ironman Coeur d’Alene: the US Championship

By: tribabe

tribabe — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 23:53:00 +0000

Excellent report! Sorry for the troubles and thanks for sharing what you think the cause was. I trotted from one honey bucket to the next on the same course a few years ago and can “feel” your pain.

By: E-Dub

E-Dub — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 15:46:00 +0000

Amazing effort, Michael. Thank you for your inspiration.

By: rkunz

rkunz — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 14:19:00 +0000

Michael,
Great race recap..just like you and I discussed the day after the race. We all know you are tough as nails and have a big following of fans. I just want to clarify for your followers that if you use EFS, then electrolyte pill are not needed.
Robert-First Endurance

By: CactusTri

CactusTri — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 22:00:00 +0000

Thanks for the great RR and congrats on a great job in spite of some challenges on the way. I did some sprints to a few of the porta-potties at IMAZ in April, so I can relate.

By: the Dread Pirate Rackham

the Dread Pirate Rackham — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 21:29:00 +0000

Hi Michael, I was volunteering at IMCDA – I was at the sunscreen area at T2 and I saw you leave in excellent shape. I was pulling for you out there – you did indeed look really strong.

Thanks for sharing your knowledge about electrolyte balancing. I’m gearing up for Vineman, and it’s my first iron distance, so I’m nervous about that very issue. The distance is new territory for me.

Anyway – you had a good race in spite of the obstacles. I love to hear such a positive attitude about that. I’ll be rooting for you at Kona!

By: Cody the Clydesdale

Cody the Clydesdale — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 21:07:00 +0000

way to push through it. Your an inspiration. I’m sorry that you had issues with digestion. Considering the stomach issues & you still finished 3rd, I think that is a great sign for Kona!

By: Flatman

Flatman — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 20:35:00 +0000

Viktor came by me. "What is wrong," he uttered. I just said one word: shit.

You are so real. That is what makes us cheer for you and WANT you to win. Please don't lose sight of this. Congrats on a fine race with hard "party-pants" conditions.

Bravo.

By: UntPawGal02

UntPawGal02 — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 03:58:00 +0000

Congrats on a good race at CDA I saw you several times throughout the day on the course and you looked fabulous.

By: John

John — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 16:02:00 +0000

Thanks for a great race report and congrats on overcoming some tough issues to get on the podium. I apprecaite all the insight and info as I try to improve my own racing (well back in the pack). Funny how differently you and Amanda describe your crapping episodes!! What a riot.

By: tri-dogmom

tri-dogmom — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 15:15:00 +0000

My group was all rooting for you!! We too suffered from some stomach issues that day… Mine was on the bike, my husbands on the run. I’m blaming it on lake water!!!

Looking forward to your next WIN!

By: Michael

Michael — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 02:55:00 +0000

I was coming down from the turn when Victor was 10 meters behind you and Amanda was pleading with you to keep running and my heart sank for you. I didn’t know if you’d keep going and was very excited when I finished and heard you had finished and in 3rd no less. The epitome of class and perseverance. I’ll see you in Kona, and I’ll be gunning for you….

By: TRI-ROB

TRI-ROB — Sun, 29 Jun 2008 15:02:00 +0000

Great RR! Thanks for taking us along!

Breathe…

By: Bigun

Bigun — Sun, 29 Jun 2008 02:08:00 +0000

I got one, “go Vato!” in at least, on the run course. You went by in the opposite direction too fast on the bike to even be sure it was you, let alone cheer.

thanks for the nutrition tip…I drank a buttload of gatorade out there (no water) and suffered almost as bad as you on the run – (in a german accent…) too much salt…

By: CoachLiz

CoachLiz — Sat, 28 Jun 2008 02:41:00 +0000

Those Honey Buckets…I remember them well from the Nike Hood to Coast Relay I did last year. I loved the fact that they had hand sanitizer in them!

At least no one is calling you a Honey Buck….yet….

Thank you for the great race report and for hanging in there when it seemed like the odds were stacked against you. Your struggle and performance is such an inspiration to the not-so-speedy age groupers, like me.

By: kerrie

kerrie — Sat, 28 Jun 2008 01:39:00 +0000

seriously – were they kidding with whole ‘honey bucket’ thing? what a sick joke! you had a great performance despite an “off” day.
sorry i didn’t get to see you guys after to chat before we took off- i loved the course but hated the cold – wheels seemed to be fine;)…..
so you must be the “us champion” now, no?

By: Erin

Erin — Sat, 28 Jun 2008 01:06:00 +0000

It’s probably a good thing you didn’t wear a speedo after all. Otherwise the party in your pants would’ve been a party all over Coeur d’Alene. Sound choice, Mr. Lovato. And a kick ass race!

By: Jimmy

Jimmy — Sat, 28 Jun 2008 00:41:00 +0000

Hi Michael! I’m a big fan and have been following your blogs for the last few years. Hearing what sorts of ups and downs you go through and how you get get through them helped me tremendously in preparing for my first Ironman in Coeur D’Alene this year. I have to say my wife and I were a little disappointed to not see you in a speedo on race day…I imagine that would make for some unnecessary race-day pain. You are one tough dude and congrats on bouncing back from Montezumas Revenge!

By: Spokane Al

Spokane Al — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 23:58:00 +0000

You are one tough competitor and I will be looking forward to seeing your future results.

And, as a old fart age grouper, it was an honor to be on the same course as you.