[Gelette]

Is anyone here planning on doing this?<br><br>
For those of you who have done it, do you have any accommodation recommendations? I have been looking on VRBO but whew, the properties are expensive! At this stage I'm thinking the RV park we stayed in last year while tripping around after IMC might be the best option?<br><br>
Any other advice for CDA would also be welcome <img alt="smile.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/smile.gif">.

 

[Thor]

I did Ironman Coeur d'Alene 2007 and absolutely LOVED the area. If you live out by the ocean, you might be surprised at the sheer size of the pinecones out that way. Beautiful. Pristine. I would definitely do Coeur d'Alene again!<br><br>
Unable to find a room in town, I stayed at a Red Lion about 20 miles west. It turned out to be fine. Nice enough hotel (forgot the price). Out of town which the Ironmate likes so that we're not always with all those "crazy triathletes." Yet close enough to pop in. I think it was in a town called Post Falls, if I remember correctly. If I were to do it over again, I'd try to get a room at the very nice hotel that is race headquarters. Even the Ironmate would go for it.<br><br>
Depending also where you live, the water temperature could be cold. It was fine for me, as I live in the northeast and am used to -- even expect -- colder water, but everybody from the southern states was complaining big time about the chill. Until the chop decided to pick up, which then that dominated conversation.<br><br>
Also, if you want to race as opposed to just finishing, ride some hills. And not just hill repeats, because you should do repeats anyway. The tough part about the CdA bike course is not any one hill but rather the neverending one-after-another roller that isn't really a roller at all but rather another hill. No one hill will put you out, but what they call "rolling hills" isn't necessarily so. A "rolling hills" course, to me, is one where you can all but power over the next hump. Not so with CdA -- at least not for anyone other than Pro. Each roller will bog you down into low gear for a slog up. Don't kill your legs. But from mile 95 on home it's sweet!<br><br>
With that said, know that the course is definitely trainable, and if you come from a hilly area, I bet you'll be fine on the bike course. So although the hills are all trainable, it isn't a fast course for the endless hills that will bog you down.<br><br>
One super big hill on the run course. Egads that one scuks!<br><br>
You will love the entire race site. From Transition to the Ironman village to running through town on race day, you will LOVE it.<br><br>
Who knows, maybe in 2009 I'll join you. I liked it that much!<br><br>
Feel free to grab my e-mail if you have more questions. Or type here.

 

[Tri_coach06]

I did CdA in 06. The bike course is different so I can't comment on that. I stayed about 5 miles from the race site. I don't rememebr th name, but I'll look it up. It was nice andthey gave you a certificate for the diner next door for breakfast.<br><br>
I'll check on the hotel. I htink it was about a hundred a night.<br><br>
CS

 

[itri]

I did the race this year and loved it also. Beautiful venue. I stayed at the resort head quarters. The wife and I decided to splurge. Well worth it as it could not have been more convenient and an awesome resort. They actuall gave us a $500 credit towards the restaurants on property which helped justify the cost. Not sure if they still do that. We were lucky enought that our room overlooked the marina and swim start. I remember that there was a Best Western a couple of miles out that was reasonable and appeared to be 'new'. Book early as there is not alot of selection so its full right away.<br><br>
The water was about 59 deg. I recomend a neoprine cap. That and a wet suit and you will be 'warm' by the second turn. Booties were legal but I went with out and was actually glad by the second loop. I agree that the bike course was very challenging. My only reference is Wisconsin which I consider true relentless 'rollers'. I heard someone say CDA its a cross between Wisconsin and Lake Placid, which I have not done. No single climb is that long, but there are some 'fun' steep sections and some grinders. Great out and back along the lake for the run.<br><br>
Have fun, you'll love it. Im Definitely going back.

 

[mommelisa]

i did cda this past year too and loved it so much that i signed up for 2008 the day after the race. <img alt="smile.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/smile.gif"><br><br>
we found our house on vrbo.com. we're right at transition and yes, it was expensive, but i'm sharing with a few other friends, so it works out. plus, you save on food, etc, when you have your own kitchen. last year i tried to make a reservation at the host hotel, but it was completely booked. apparently, however, they require the full deposit in april, so at that point rooms come available if you put your name on their waiting list.<br><br>
i would say your best bet is to find a house (before the 2008 race!) and try to share it with a few people. being close is really nice - last year, we didn't have to go down to transition until just before the start!<br><br>
the course is absolutely beautiful. the people are fantastic - it was a really amazing experience all the way around.<br><br>
you will have a blast.

 

[imgomer]

Hiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii Mommelisa!! <img alt="banana.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/banana.gif">

 

[mommelisa]

hey, girlfriend!!! i'm no longer lost in transition! <img alt="biggrin.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/biggrin.gif">

 

[Gelette]

Thank you all for your information and advice, it is much appreciated <img alt="smile.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/smile.gif">.<br><br>
Thor, I'm a diesel engine, so my definition of "race" will be different from yours! But we have lots of hills here so I'll be making sure I train on them plenty. We are booked to do one of those follow the Tour de France riding tours this year, so I should have good hilly base for an IM next year after training for that. I did get a bit of a fright when I saw the hills on the IM Canada course, but found that because the road surface is so smooth compared to what I'm used to, this made them easier to ride than I'd anticipated.<br><br>
Is the water always around 60, or was it colder than normal this year? have to admit I hadn't realised that and I do struggle with the cold. But I'm told you can acclimate to it so maybe I'll just continue to swim into our winter (I don't usually ocean swim past April). I have booties and a cap as our water temp is usually about 66.<br><br>
Mommelisa -if you aren't using "your" house in 2009, please let me know the details! The location sounds fantastic and if my friends come over as well then it will probably be the best way to go. Otherwise I think we'll pick up an RV. The RV park by the river was really nice, probably the cleanest facility I've ever stayed in. We will be there for at least a week so self catering is a must.<br><br>
Now fingers crossed they have an international entry allocation..