So I go to the 2008 Couer D'Alene Ironman late June to cheer on our very own Randy Wells and Bonnie Crawford on their IM journeys. It was incredible to be there. I was pumped to register for the 2009 event before I went. Even more so once I got there. Picked up some tri gear the day before. Saw Randy a couple times along the way. Saw Bonnie as she streaked by in T1. It was such an awesomew day. I was there with a few media friends tagging along as a freelance media photographer for the day. I got up close to the race. Inside T1 and T2. On the beach for the start to take photos. It was awersome. There was in person registration the day after the race for 09. I had to fly out early, so could not stay to register in person. Did I register when I got back? Of course not! I've got time... Can I register now. NO!!! ...... .. . What?!! Oaky... IM Canada... Sorry. Lake Placid? No way. What now? IM Arizona and IM Florida are in Nov. 09 Registrations are the day after this years race. Got a little time to decide. Don't procrastinate man. WHAT DO I DO NOW? Okay. Maybe Florida or Arizona can be my first (was SOOO wanting IM CDA to be my first; Should I wait for 2010?). Would love to do all of the North American IM branded races, so maybe Florida or Arizona will come first. Are there other races I sould consider? I want my first to be a spectacular event. Chosen wisely. What now ?....

Ted,
You certainly do have time to think about signing up for Florida or Arizona. However, I can tell you that online sign-ups are going fast these days. I had a laptop and PC both hooked into Active for at least an hour prior to them opening online registration for IMFL last November. I continued to hit refresh on the chance they opened registration before the 10:00 a.m. stated time. This tip was given to me by a past competitor. As it turned out, I signed up at 9:53 a.m. I spoke with another person who was waiting to sign up, but missed it when she tried to log-in at 9:58 a.m. Five minutes to fill the available online spots!!

On the flip side, this is the first year that I know of where IMCA had some slots offered online, due to people receiving vouchers in Penticton but not exercising their right to buy a slot by the deadline. And I'm sure it's the economy, but the Community Fund slots don't seem to be moving all that fast either. This may bode well in your efforts to sign up for IMFL or IMAZ.

Aside from less than a month left to train in the rain, and the expense of travel, I'm really looking forward to this race as a first IM. It's pretty darn flat and fast. Also, it's the off-season for Panama City Beach (A.K.A. The Redneck Riviera), so accommodations are extremely reasonable, very abundant and conveniently located near the Start/Finish. I've heard some real griping about prices inflating 2-3X at other FORD venues during race week. AZ isn't so flat, but with the move to November, the winds should be less of an issue. J.R. is signed up for AZ.

It's a big decision, Ted. There's a lot of training to commit to while also trying to balance the rest of your life. I have a great "Better Half" that also competes, so she knows the commitment it takes just to get to the starting line. There have been those weeks when I've had to keep reminding myself, "This is the hard part!" in regards to training. It usually happens in the pool when I'm trying to grind out those last two 500's at race-pace minus 5secs. I've come to realize that the shortest 30 secs in my day is the rest interval between those sets.

Good hearing from you! Even in Tragedy...

Doug