For immediate release: (from the Associated Press)
Coeur d’Alene, Idaho – June 25th, 2006

Ironman Coeur d'Alene (CDA) was held today on what turned out to be one of the hottest days on record in this quaint little town in Northern Idaho . Temperatures topped out at 97 degrees late in the afternoon, making a tough Ironman course that much tougher! Competitors took on a 2.4 mile swim in Lake Coeur d'Alene , a 112 mile bike ride in and around CDA, followed by a 26.2 mile marathon run. The largest group competing in today's race was a multi-sport team from Northern California , the Kain Performance Multi-Sport Team, or as they call themselves, the KainIron Team. KainIron had 29 eager and fit individuals toe the mass start line with 2200 other competitors.

The day started at 7:00am under clear skies and little wind. The mass swim start was a sight to be scene as the swimmers looked like a massive wave entering as one into the water when the horn sounded. The swimmers completed 2 loops of 1.2 miles before transitioning to their bikes to start the 112 mile bike ride. The first KainIron competitor out of the water was Dave Burns in 58 minutes, competing in his first Ironman. Dave looked focused and determined as he grabbed his transition bag and headed to the change tent. Shortly after Dave was KainIron's Tim Naylor . Tim was looking to qualify for the Hawaii Ironman with a good showing today. After Tim the KainIron Team kept a steady flow of competitors coming out of the water. First woman out was Coach Shari Kain , closely followed by Jill Stevenson and Sarah Sawulski . All were competing in their first Ironman! KainIron competitors were easily recognizable to the 20,000 or so fans lining the course throughout the day. The KainIron Team looked so good that many of the fans were overheard saying, "who are those guys?" Family and friends of the KainIron Team donned new "KainIron Team 2006" T-shirts with the slogan, "We Keep It Up Longer " on the back of the shirt.

The 112 mile bike ride consisted of two challenging 56 mile loops of rolling hills and windy flats. Making the course even tougher was the temperature rising as the day went on. By the time most competitors were on the second 56 mile lap the temp had soured to above 90 degrees. Dry heat and little wind made it a very challenging bike ride. KainIron Team Head Coach Pete Kain was out on the bike course at about mile 65 cheering on and offering support to the many competitors. KainIron Team member and Kain Team admin Judy DeSherlia , came by saying "I got a flat. I can't believe it!" She was riding with KainIron Team member Beth Stern, who said, "I haven't pee'd yet. What should I do." Coach Kain simply said, "Drink more!" KainIron Team member Lori Bradford had an opposite comment than Beth's, saying, "I've pee'd 5 times already!" Coach Kain gave the big thumbs up! KainIron Team member Joanne Wicker went by at mile 65 with a big smile saying, "I'm having a great day ." By mile 110 on the bike things were getting interesting. The day was HOT , so "hot feet" was a common ailment. KainIron Team member Ralph Fallant went by Coach Kain screaming "my feet are on fire, what should I do;" to which Coach Kain said, "put them in ice when you get to transition." (He did, and was happy heading out on the run). Having a stellar day was KainIron Team member Wes Meyer . A first time Ironman competitor, Wes stuck to his game plan and just got stronger throughout the day. He rode conservatively, holding back so he could charge the run. He ran great, running a 3:50 marathon to finish in 10:53:27 !

The marathon run consisted of two 13.1 mile loops that ran competitors along the lakefront for most of the run. This is when the heat started to take a toll on the competitors. Little wind and not a lot of shade made things very tough. KainIron member Karen Wells had an even tougher issue, when she stopped just out of the bike/run transition to tell Coach Kain she may have to drop due to a seriously stubbed toe that happened on the beach just before the swim. She didn't feel it on the bike to much, but running was very painful. She told Coach Kain, "I may have to drop out, my toe is really red and swollen and hurts when I run. Coach Kain said, "can you walk?" She said, "yes", so Coach Kain said, "start walking and see how it feels." So she did. (She finished strong in just over 14 hours!). The run segment of any Ironman is tough, but when temperatures hit the mid 90's, things get very tough. KainIron Team members were a very determined bunch, even in the toughest conditions. This race will always be remembered for the hot conditions. It will also be remembered by many first time Ironman competitors as the day they became an "Ironman!" The race is tough, the training is tough, but the journey is one these competitors will never forget.

Ironman CDA Race Notes:

KainIron's Tim Naylor had a stellar day, finishing 8 th overall and first in his age group in a very fast 9 hours 36 minutes! And YES, he did get that coveted Hawaii IM spot! Congrats Tim!! Breaking 11 hours were Dirk Bartels ( 10:48:59 ), first timers Wes Meyer ( 10:53:27 ) and Dave Burns ( 10:54:25 )! Getting home in under 12 hours were both Shari Kain ( 11:41:31 ) and Veronica Marzorini ( 11:41:46 ).

Coach Sharoo was also competing in her first Ironman and was looking good, even with a "bad patch" on the bike. She was trading spots on the run with Veronica Marzorini who was having a great day! The two eventually finished within 15 seconds of each other in 11:41 ! Sharoo placed 3 rd in the women's 40-44 division! Way to go Momma Sharoo!!! Veronica smiled throughout the day to finish in a new IM PR!

KainIron had quite a few competitors coming in under 13 hours . Sarah Sawulski, competing in her first Ironman finished in 12 hours 13 minutes , looking great throughout the day! She then had to rush back to the hotel to pack, sleep, wake-up at 4:30am and jump on a plane to be at work Monday morning! (That must have been some good water cooler talk. "What did you do this weekend? Oh, I just did an Ironman up in CDA yesterday. Yea, it only took about 12 hours. How was your weekend?" J ) **Coming in with the quote of the day was Paul "I don't need no stinking training " O'Dwyer, who finished strong, despite a bum hip in 12:26:43 . Looking good on the run, after a solid bike ride was first time Ironman competitor, Duncan Egan ! Duncan said he felt good all day and " loved every minute of it !" Duncan kept moving past people all day, finishing in 12:35:17 . Ironman veterans Glenn Blackler and Suzanne Slivkoff were as fit as ever heading into the event. The heat took its toll, but they both fought to the finish, coming in together in 12 hours 36 minutes . Jill Stevenson who was the second KainIron woman out of the water in 1:03 and competing in her first Ironman finished strong in 12 hours 50 minutes. One of KainIron's fastest swimmers , Ralph Fallant came out of the water in 58 minutes, then rode strong, only to have his knee give out on the run. At one point Ralph asked Coach Kain to "just shoot me!" He hung tough to finish in 12:57 !

Breaking the 14 hour barrier : First time Ironman competitors Russell Shaw and Don Barry , they teamed up on the course during the run. Don said later, "Russell helped get me to the finish line. He kept me going. I'd still be out there if he didn't keep encouraging me to keep it up.!" They made it home in 13:05 ! Competing with her husband, Dave, Raina Burns had a great day in her first ever IM, coming home in 13:21:25 . Way to go Raina! First time Ironman competitor Brian Brunello used Coach Kain's pre-race psych-up talk to get him through the run. "I just kept looking at guys in front of me as Aussie's that needed to be run down." That and the chicken broth on the run were key! Brian finished in 13 hours 37 minutes ! Kimberly Matthews was also competing in her first Ironman. She hung tough to the finish, moving up throughout the day to finish in 13:48:34 . Way to go Kimberly! You are an Ironman!

 

Breaking the 15 hour barrier: KainIron's Chris Martinez who had an awesome swim (1:05), solid bike, then toughed it out on the run to make it to the finish in 14:16:01 . Nice job for a first time Ironman! KainIron Team member Beth Stern looked focused throughout the day, enjoying the experience, even if she didn't have to pee until ½ way through the run! She finished smiling in 14:26:09 ! Shortly after Beth was Karen Wells (14:33:49), who hung very tough on the run with a bum toe (which may have actually been broken). Next in was Amy Murrin, coming across the finish line in 14:41:04 ! Way to hang tough you first time Ironman! Smiling throughout the day, making Ironman seem easy, was first time Ironman, Joanne Wicker! Joanne looked like she was really having a ball out there! She surprised even her coach, coming in under 15 hours in 14:52:19 ! Nice job Joanne! Just two minutes later came Kain Team Super Admin, Judy DeSherlia, in a new IM PR of 14:54:18 ! Even with a flat tire on the bike! Way to go Judy!

Breaking the 16 hour barrier : KainIron's Lori Bradford and Connie Frank teamed up on the run to come across looking good in 15:22:10 ! At one point during the race Connie actually asked Coach Kain if HE was all right! "Make sure you stay hydrated, it's hot out here!" Coach Kain took her advice and jumped in the lake! Having a very tough day in the heat was Ingrid Wafelbakker. Ingrid had to dig deep into her reserves to pull out a finish on this day! She never gave up and toughed it out to come home in 15:30:08 ! Way to hang tough Ingrid! She has already said she is going back to IMCDA next year to get "even" with that course! Now that's an Ironman!

 

 

KainIron had two competitors who had to pull out of the race. Heat can affect even the fittest people. Steven Aurousseau was as strong as an ox going into this race. He had a solid swim, an excellent bike, and then started having some heat related "issues" on the run. Steven pulled the plug at the ½ way point of the run due to heat related issues. Steven will be back to take on another IM in 2007! Also having some heat problems was Jorge Breton . Jorge had a solid swim, and then started to run into problems late in the bike ride. With a screaming headache and bloody nose, Jorge pulled the plug after the bike ride. He has also said he plans on coming back and doing another one in 2007.

This KainIron Team 2006 is a special bunch. Every team member has a story to tell, everyone is as happy for themselves as they are for their teammates. Getting to the finish line is a great accomplishment, but the friendships made during the past 6 months are truly a rewarding experience. Congratulations to all of the KainIron Team 2006! You are all winners!

Now rest up and recharge those batteries! 2007 is just around the corner!
Way to go KainIron, you guys/gals rock!

Coach Pete + Sharoo

 

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