A Coeur d'Alene Ironman Morning!

WOW! I set out this morning around 6:00 am to watch the swimmers take off from City Beach. Of course, roads were blocked, closed, traffic diverted, throngs of people... By the time I found somewhere to park, walked for several blocks, went under barricades, I got to Independence Point after the last of the swimmers had taken the plunge. The skies were gloomy and it was chilly. But there was excitement in the air. And, what's that in the air, too? At least there were no crowds blocking my view straight UP!

I was finally able to infiltrate the crowd on the banks of the lake to catch a glimpse of the last wave of swimmers as they headed out.

Pretty awesome sight. Then then the announcer announced that the first pro swimmer was just about to finish. He is the guy in a charcoal colored wet suit, a blur in the photo right where the water hists the sand, in front of a big orange inflatable triangle. The crowd roared as a man from Hawaii climbed out of the water and headed for the transition area. This was the first time of hundreds in the next few hours that I realized these guys are MOVING FASTER than my camera can keep up with!

I moved through the crowds to the transition area, where the swimmers have their wetsuits peeled off by volunteers, then race to their bikes, put on their shoes and head out for their 112 mile bike ride through the lovely scenery of North Idaho. I realized two things - #1, I am too short to get good pictures because I can barely see over the barricades. #2, I need to figure out how to get a Press Pass next year! But, as always, I am able to get great views of the helicopters above!

I took about a zillion of pictures like the one above, trying to capture the bikers in my frame as they sped past! Oops, too late! Again, and again, and again. Eventually I got it figured out. Get in front of them!

I took a break and maneuvered the diverted streets to go get some pictures at two of my newest listings. I have been waiting for pretty blue skies all week, and had no choice but to go get pictures with gray skies. Geesh.....

As I found a road that was open that would eventually lead to my office, I found another vantage point for a few more photos. By this time these riders heading towards the left of the photo had already finished almost half of their 112 mile bike ride! I loved being able to see their expressions. Some were focused and oblivious to all of the spectators. Others would smile as they passed by.

I am off to find my son Derek at the CHS Cross Country Team's aid station at Blackwell Hill. Check back for the next installment of the Coeur d'Alene Ford Ironman Triathlon!