After the Ironman - Lily with our mode of transportation, entrance to Yellowstone, us with beatiful scenery and bison and really hot springs, lodge, Old Faithful, taking lots of pictures, Continental Divide (one of many we crossed!), Grand Tetons, eatery in Jackson Hole, antler arches in JH, Utah view, Lily's lake in CO, Rocky Mtns, saying bye in Denver.

The day after the Ironman, we took off for Yellowstone National Park. A BIG shout out to Teddy Roosevelt who had the foresight to establish our National Parks! The next days were unbelievable with each day seeming like a movie, postcard, adventure that could not ever be topped – but each day was better with more scenery, food, laughs, and sounds better than the day before. Words like “look!” “beautiful”, “wow” was heard all day and even at night. The animals we saw were incredible and with the first sightings – we would stop the Ford Expedition and all doors would open and finger pointed and cameras clicked. Of course, I need to tell you that towards the end of our trip to Yellowstone, we were not jumping out at each sighting of bison as we did in the beginning! Got accustomed to the herds of them. But we never got complacent with the scenery – the beautiful, majestic mountains, Old Faithful, the hot springs, waterfalls, streams, aspens, lakes, hot springs, beautiful earth and sky. The Grand Tetons were splendid. The cold lakes beneath them took our breath away but we had to put our toes in them anyway.
We spent 2 days/nights in Jackson Hole. Nice western/ski town. One afternoon, Ken and I were wanting to do something physical (yes, shopping with his niece, Lilly was physical!) and we were told by the hotel staff that there was Snow King Mountain a short walking distance away. So off we went, Lily included, and after the BEST fish tacos ever! What fun we had. Climbing after an Ironman was nothing compared to the altitude. Lilly and I had the hardest time, but Ken patiently waited on us. The view from the various points on the climb (and the ride down on the ski lift) were breathtaking and well worth the oxygen deprivation! In Jackson Hole I had my first ever elk. I did hesitate about ordering the elk, but the server assured us that these were from domestic herds and they were not on the extinct list. So I felt better about this-sorry to all my vegetarian friends! From Jackson Hole we traveled thru Utah and then into Colorado. Every mile of the journey was incredible – the small towns, the food, the mountains, the creatures, and the laughter we shared in our Expedition. I learned to rap the song, “this is why I’m hot” from Lily. The last day found us winding over the Rocky Mountains to Denver to catch our flight. We saw cyclist going up the 2 lane, no guard rail, steep cliff road and both Ken and I decided if we did that ride, we would be in the middle of the road and not on the edge where we usually ride on Kentucky roads!
This was the trip of a lifetime and the Ironman was an athletic adventure I will never forget!

Who won.........The Ford Coeur d'Alene on June 24, 2007?????

Ken Cakes Bobby and Mary Hustler Bobby (shown here in Yellowstone Park) did not, but they sure had a great trip out West and that was a win win!

Zyemtsev wins Ironman Coeur d'Alene
Story and photos by Cameron Elford June 24, 2007 -- Battling a chilly swim and wind-whipped Lake Coeur d'Alene, Ukraine's Victor Zyemtsev topped a field of 2262 starters today at the Ford Ironman Coeur d'Alene, in northern Idaho, by running down Canada's Tom Evans, who attacked at the beginning of the second loop on the two-loop bike course, in the closing miles of the marathon.Contributing to pre-race anxiety in the days before the event, gusty conditions had produced significant lake chop throughout the week, and race morning was no exception, with strong winds forcing athletes to battle whitecaps on the two-loop swim before cool, race-morning temperatures in the low 50s gave way to sun and moderate conditions, with highs in the 60s as more than 2000 athletes finished this spectacular event that boasted a new bike course this year, winding north through the rural roads of Hayden Lake rather than west to the border with Washington State, as in years past."The new course is a mix of [Ironman] Wisconsin and Lake Placid," said eight-time Hawaii champion Paula Newby-Fraser, describing the mix of short, sharp hills and longer climbs that characterize the new Idaho bike course.

Photos - Our leg markings (age and smiley faces), swim start, swim, bike, run, finished and happy.

Ford Ironman Coeur d’Alene Ironman on June 24, 2007:
Swim Start – 7 am Allowable time 2:20. Mary's time - 1:57
The swim part, which I thought would give me some cushion for the bike, did not due to the rough conditions. VERY choppy, white cap waves. 20 minutes before the start they announced they would offer a duathlon which Ken and I said we wanted to be Ironmen, not Dumen so we went with the 2500 others into the cold water!(I did not notice how cold it was (60 degrees) until I got out of the water). The first leg of the first lap was awful because we were swimming into the waves. I tried to freestyle but the choppy water was too much and I panicked. But I knew if I just kept moving forward even doing the sidestroke I would make some progress. Ken and I watched a movie the day before while we were resting and it was a true story of an Australian backstroke swimmer and I turned over and mimicked his backstroke. Then across to the other side I did the freestyle and went faster. During the whole swim, I drank lots of water and got my face slapped by the waves until it hurt. People were getting out all around me, but I then got MAD at the waves and after exiting the water and getting back in for the 2nd lap I put my face in and free styled against the waves! I made it out in 1 hour and 57 minutes and had hoped for 1 hour and 40 minutes. The wetsuit peelers were in a line that looked like the old playground line of “red rover red rover” and they looked somewhat menacing until they told me they were there to peel me and I let them! They pulled and peeled and I fell to the ground shaking and laughing and let them pull the wetsuit off. Then I ran and picked up my swim to bike bag and into the ladies tent I went. There was a volunteer that came up to me and said I needed to go to the medical because she thought I was hypothermia and I said NO I was not going to the medical tent – I was just shaking because I was nervous. To be honest – I was very cold! She asked me if I had a towel and I did not, I had only a little hand towel and she went to get a roll of paper towels and dried me off. Bike shorts on, bike jersey on, food and drink in mouth, socks and bike shoes on, read inspirational messages, helmet and sunglasses on and after 12 plus minutes in the tent, I finally emerged out of the tent to a row of suntan lotion slathers. (I loved being pampered) then to my bike and off I went. This is when I saw Ken, he was on the other side of the fence, and I realized something had happened. Nevertheless, he gave me a brave smile said to go on - he would tell me later what happened, but to go do this thing! So I did.

Bike 1st lap cut off 1:30 pm, 2nd lap cut off 5:30 pm. Mary's time was 8 hrs 10 minutes
The bike was tough because my chain came off 4 times and 2 times on hills. I wanted to quit, but kept remembering that people had faith in me and I would say “just try to make the cut off and if you don’t you don’t, but TRI! I had trouble eating on the bike, my training had consisted of Ken and I stopping for a burger at some country store and I did not have time for that here! I had my PMJ sandwich between my skin and my sports bra (in a baggie). The volunteers were great as I would yell – I am not good at grabbing stuff and they would run beside me and make sure I had the water or Gatorade in my hand.
I made the 1st lap bike cut off! As I went thru town, I saw and heard Ken, Lily, Al and Joeby (Ken’s niece, brother in law and sister) cheering for me. At mile 63 they give you your special needs bag. I had a snickers bar, some Pringles, and some other food to replenish my supply on my bike. I was supposed to eat 400 calories an hour. A note was in there from Ken and I started crying as I read it and the volunteer was asking me why I was crying and I said because this is my buddy and he is not out here with me and he is supposed to be! I got back on the bike after wiping the tears and off I pedaled. I knew that I would be close to the cut off time on the 2nd lap and that I did not have time for any problems like the chain! I remembered Amanda’s (my niece) advice about needing some divine intervention sometimes so I prayed to God to help me with the chain. Here is what she had sent me for encouragement: “You are an amazing athlete, but it takes more than just an athlete to do an Ironman... it takes divine intervention sometimes! All your training has prepared both your body and mind, and your spirit will carry you the rest of the way. Believe in yourself and know that we do, and that God will provide for you no matter what! Enjoy the race, the other athletes, and the success you WILL have! I love you Aunt Mary and hope to be running with you soon.”
I had NO problem with the chain on the 2nd lap. Coming out of the hills back onto the flat course into town and pushing against the wind, I knew I needed to keep a pace. One cyclist had said we were going to make it and I asked if she had done an IM or this one before and she replied no, so I pedaled up to a guy, asked him about his IM background (he had done 1 or 2) and asked him what pace I needed to make the cut off and he said 15 to 16 MPH so I concentrated on that and kept repeating “the pace is the race” (advice that someone had given me) and I kept it at 15 and 16 MPH and when I got to the end of the 112 miles, I was yelling, “Did I make it?” Everyone was yelling back “Yes!” and then after handing my bike off, I started to cry. Cried the whole time I was changing into my run clothes. The volunteer assisting me told me to put my running shorts on BEFORE my shoes. (I was having some issues because of the crying!) She asked how she could help me and I told her to tell me to “get my wits about me” This is what Ken says to me! And she did say that to me. The volunteer kept making me eat and drink and reading to me my inspirational messages you all had given me and I shared the chain story with her and she said yes God works like that sometimes and I hugged her and we both said “God bless you” and I got on the run and knew I would make it cause I am a runner first! I had told Ken before starting the Ironman that I would be the happiest when my feet were running. I ran 10 mins, walked 1 minute, and my legs felt fine. I did the marathon in 5:01. Moved from 26/34 in my age group to 20/34 due to the run pace. I ran around one young lady and she exclaimed, “What is this about” and I said “huh?” and she replied “You are Running!” Yes, I thought – I am running. All around me the other triathletes were walking, but I was sticking to Ken and my training plan of the run/walk and I was running. Except for the last 3 miles in a subdivision and it was dark and I walked/jogged it because I was scared I would twist my ankle because I could not see. Someone handed me a glow stick, but it was more for cars not to hit me. Next time I will bring a little flashlight or finish in the daylight!!! Am I close I asked and I heard “next left” and there it was - the Ironman tunnel and it was LIT up.
I sprinted into the Ironman tunnel of people and I danced over the finish line in 15 hours and 30 minutes. I am an Ironwoman!

Ken told me he got seasick on the first swim lap (along with many others), threw up 3 times in the water and when he finished the first lap, decided it was not his day to do it. He cheered me on all day. He signed up for next year’s Coeur d’Alene that next day! I will go and cheer him on. I will do another IM, but not there. I want some warm water!!!! We found out later that they were seriously considering canceling the swim about 2 hours before the start! In one of the commentaries, Paula Newbie-Fraiser (Ironman winner many many times) said she knew there would be many swimmers not make the swim because of the terrible conditions.

Thanks to everone for all your support and encouragement, and for your faith in us and most important - prayers! Thanks to Al, Joeby and Lily for "hanging" with us.

A big thanks goes out to all the volunteers at Ford Ironman Coeur d'Alene - they were fantastic! Best group of volunteers I have ever encountered.

The rest of the trip to Yellowstone, Grand Tetons, Jackson Hole, Flaming Gorge, and the Rocky Mountains was wonderful.We will post that experience and photos at a later date.

We are HERE! We just dropped our bikes off at the bike transition area and our bags for tomorrow. Yesterday we swam some of the swim course. The water was 60 degrees and we could surf off the waves! Shall we say chop chop choppy! So the swim will be challenging!
We drove the bike course with Ken's sister, Joeby and her husband Al and daughter, Lily. Some tough Hills but we have trained on worse. We saw an eagle and its nest. The scenery is beautiful on the bike course, not that we will notice much of it tomorrow! My friend, Lisa flew over from Portland on Friday afternoon and she, Ken and I walked around the resort, town and ate some good salmon. It was so good to see her!

We are experiencing the 3 Ps right now = Puking, peeing and pooping - we feel like doing all of them we are so nervous! Pray for us!

Photos: Old Millville school and mascot (no not me, the devil), beautiful scenery of Woodford Co backroads), Ken, me and Treacy at Mallard Point

We are off to Idaho today. You can follow our progress on Sunday:
48 hours before the race start (Sunday 7 am ID time/10am Lexington time) you will see links for the Athlete Tracker in "The Latest" box on the home page of http://www.ironman.com/
You can also access the coverage by navigating to "Events", then choosing this race: Coeur d’Alene. Ken’s number is 999.My number is 75.

Our last weekends of training consisted of a 30 mile bike ride around our favorite Woodford County roads (see photos above) on Sat. June 9th,followed by a 45 minute run where we practiced the run 10 minutes and walk 1 minute. Then back on the bike for 12 miles followed by a 20-minute run and then of course about half an hour of going down the water slides at Falling Springs pool! My favorite part.

This past Saturday had us swimming the 2.5 distance at Mallard Point where Ken had only a small cramp and I got a big hug from Susan Bradley Cox who has been instrumental in my swim training. We are ready!!!!

10 days and counting....

From the Ironman Coeur d'Alene website:

They say they like to hold Ironman races at destination spots ... which would make Coeur d'Alene a prime contender for a race!Named after the Coeur d'Alene Indian tribe, this former logging and lumber town boasts a population of 50,000 (although the sign on the way into town says 34,415), 150 restaurants, and enough outdoor activities to keep anyone busy for a very long time. The two-loop swim course at Ford Ironman Coeur d'Alene has the potential to be tough, but has even more potential to be a really nice start to the day. It's become the norm to hear that the water is cold ... the word is that the athletes can expect water somewhere between 63 and 64 degrees Fahrenheit (a little over 17 degrees Celsius). All of the courses at Ford Ironman Coeur d'Alene are two-loop affairs, and both the bike and the run pass by the finish line and transition area four times, so spectators are in for a great day. The bike course is more challenging than it initially would appear. The course is very technical, with enough difficulty to keep things interesting."It would be hard not to have a picturesque run course in Coeur d'Alene." It's relatively flat, it's fast, and it goes through some of the most picturesque neighborhoods this picturesque town has to offer. The limiting factor on the run ... the heat!

(Photos: lake, Birthday Buds, Hair gel, can you believe I got into this wetsuit!)

Swimming at Mallard Point.
Thanks to Sallie and Rick for letting us do our open water swims at their lake-even if they have BIG carp in it! On Thursday, June 7th – it was both Ken and Libby’s birthday (and my Dad’s 79th!) and we had a Birthday swim. My hair gets pinched by the swim cap and the wetsuit so I tried some Body Glide at the back of my neck and it worked.
It might be messy and unattractive – but hey I do not think I am going to be looking very attractive in a 2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike ride and 26.2 mile run! I just don’t want to be pinched...... well maybe by a cute triathlete.