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Taking the stress our of sports travel

Giant Fan

First, the good news. The polar vortex is starting to release its icy grip on the U.S. and spring/aka..the endurance sports season is upon us. Runners, Cyclists, and Triathletes everywhere have started to put away their balaclavas and their gloves as they plan their races, rides and runs for the spring.

Now, the yin to the yang. The down to the up. There’s a good chance that you might have to travel to get to one of your events. Not just drive across town. We’re talking (in the immortal words of Eric "Otter" Stratton & John "Bluto" Blutarsky) Road Trip! Or airplane trip as the case may be. Now, in one sense, travel can be awesome. New cities = new experiences, new memories and fun. In another sense, it can be…how shall we say it? A bit of a drag.

Coeur's (not so) Secret Tips for Ironman Arizona

 

Hands making heart symbol

Swim Tip: It’s pretty well known that the lake curves a bit. Some competitors like to start on the left and follow the buoys and many/most others like to stay to the right to try and cut off some of the course. One suggestion is to (sshh…don’t tell) stay in the middle. You might get some surprisingly clear water. No promises though.

 

Swim Tip: The swim exit is usually up a set of stairs. It always seems like it is one stair short. Plus, the water can be a bit murky, so the stairs can be somewhat hard to see. Maybe this isn't really a tip. More of a warning. Just be careful getting out. There...now it's a tip.

 

Reginald Holden

IMAZ Coeur-se review

 Course Review – Ironman Arizona

Ironman Arizona (“IMAZ”) has a unique place on the Ironman Circuit.  It was originally an early season race that was held in April.  Despite the flat’ish terrain, it was an absolute terror.  Temperatures frequently soared into the high 90’s, winds howled and sand storms of haboob caliber were known to rise up on the Beeline highway. 

Mercifully, the organizers moved the date to November and now it is a race of a different flavor.  Rather than a sand encrusted death march, it now viewed as a great venue for your first assault on the distance or an opportunity to set a new PR.

But don’t for a minute think it is easy.  It is still an Ironman and 140.6 miles is a long ways even in a car!

So with that as a backdrop, let us give you our thoughts on the course. By the way, we have a few semi-secret tips that we can share.  Shoot us a note at info@coeursports.com and put IMAZ tips in the title.  We’ll be glad to send them your way.

The Swim

Coeur's Kona Race Report Part II

Kristin Schwieger & Hailey Manning

This was my second time to the Big Island for World Championships, so I was more calm and relaxed then I can remember. When my alarm went off at 4:30, I ate breakfast and headed to the pier. After getting body marked and my bike set and ready to go, I just sat in a quiet spot on the pier waiting for the word to hit the water. 

Kristin Schewiger after her race

Heart and Courage at Ironman Hawaii

I think we have mentioned it enough but Coeur is French for heart and the root of the noun courage. Or more precisely the abstract noun “courage” since I suppose you can’t actually touch it. While we’re on a definitional/grammatical tangent, I’ll go on to mention that courage is defined as the ability or willingness to confront fear, danger, uncertainty or intimidation.

 

So, why does that matter? To answer that question, we’ll have to go back a couple of months.

woman in wheelchair

Coeur's Kona Race Report Part I

Laura Sophiea & The Duffield Twins

2013 Race Re-cap Ironman Kona #23!!

I have to say that Kona 2013 showed me that I truly love my life's journey through this sport of triathlons and I was truly blessed to be on the starting line in Kona for #23!

Michelle Duffield and her sister

One Coeur-ageous Athlete

We looked over to our left and happened to see one of the Challenged Athlete Foundation ("CAF") competitors in her race chair.  She was a petite woman and was at a dead stop about halfway up a hill.  For the most part no one was watching and it was apparent that her arms were about to give out.  Before I go on to tell the rest of this, I have to just say that I have re-written this next section twice and I just can't find the words to convey how incredible, inspiring, emotional and moving we found this to be.  

Minda in Kona

Talking Kona with Kristin Schwieger

Meet Kristin Schwieger!
Kristin at finish line of a race
Coeur: How many times have you raced in Kona?
Kristin: This will be my second time in Kona and hopefully there will be more to come! Coeur: What age group will you be racing in?
Kristin: Well, I will be turning the big 4-0 at midnight of the race, so 40-44. 

Woohoo! HAPPY BIRTHDAY! Coeur: What's your bib number?
Kristin: 1384 Coeur: What's your favorite thing about this course or if this is your first time what part of this course suits your strengths?
Kristin: When I did the race in 2011, there were parts of the bike course that I loved and parts that I hated. Typically the bike meets my strengths, so I really want to have a strong bike this year.

Talking Kona with Laura Sophiea

Laura Sophiea is getting ready to compete in tomorrow's Ironman World Championships! We thought it would be fun to ask her a few questions leading up to the race!

Laura Sophia Running a race

Coeur: How many times have you raced in Kona?

Laura: I have raced 22 times beginning in 1987, this is #23 for me! I have 8 AG wins, and currently well at least until Sat. 2 AG records in Kona.

Coeur: What age group will you be racing in on Saturday?
Laura: AG:  55-59

Talking Kona with Hailey Manning

Hailey this morning at Dig Me Beach, after a shake out swim in Kona. Coeur: How many times have you raced in Kona? Hailey: This will be number 4 and...