'Everyone deserves a medal today'

COEUR d'ALENE - Andy Potts didn't just beat out his fellow Ironman competitors during Sunday's race.

He beat scorching temperatures as well.

Just minutes after Potts, 38, crossed the finish line Sunday the temperature did what it was expected to do all day - crossed into triple digits. Before the day was over, the temperature would reach 105 degrees, the hottest Coeur d'Alene temperature recorded in June since records started being kept in 1895, leaving everyone involved in Ironman seeking relief from the heat.

"I think everyone deserves a medal today because it's a cooker," Potts said to the crowd before using three water bottles to take an impromptu shower.

Fellow professional Ironman, and Coeur d'Alene native, Derek Garcia finished in 9th place on Sunday. He told The Press he had to keep water on him throughout the race, which is the opposite of his past experiences in his hometown.

"It's not like we were shocked by the temperature, but even I was skeptical that the temperature would reach triple digits today," Garcia said.

In between her two volunteer shifts Sunday morning, Joyce Kelley sat in the shade at City Park while drinking water and watching a parade of people pass by. It was only 10:15 a.m., but the temperature was rapidly approaching 90 degrees.

"It's a lot cooler in the changing rooms because of the fans and shade," said Kelley, a Coeur d'Alene resident. "I think that will be nice for the athletes."

Kelley has volunteered at the 12 previous Ironman races in the Lake City and said forecasts for extreme heat on race day wasn't going to keep her from number 13.

"I'm here to serve the athletes," she said. "We're all part of the same team."

Dr. Mike Leahy of the Active Release Tech Team has used his patented techniques to relieve competitors' weary muscles at more than 40 Ironman races. Leahy said the expected high of 106 degrees was the hottest he can recall on race day, and he had legitimate concerns about heat exhaustion and dehydration among even the professionals.

"The problem with the heat is it slows you down," Leahy said. "If you don't recognize that, you'll try to do too much to make your expected times."

The doctor added that he had been preparing the athletes in the three days leading up to the event, and was particularly concerned about the 475 first-time racers.

"They might not know how to respond to the heat," Leahy said.

While waiting to cross at one of the designated spots on Lakeside Avenue, Kirsten Jenner used her smartphone to track her husband's progress in his first full Ironman race. The Edmonton, Alberta, resident told The Press she rented a home for the weekend, which allowed her to go back and forth in an attempt to beat the heat.

"The tracker is great because I can bring my 6-year-old out to the course just minutes before my husband passes by," Jenner said.

Jenner added that her husband was prepared to take his time on the course and remain aware of how his body was responding to the high temperatures, especially during the 26.2-mile run.

"The run is going to be the worst part," she added.

Dr. Kevin Chang, Ironman Medical Director told The Press that his medical team took extra precautionary measures to prevent wide-scale dehydration and exhaustion among the athletes. As an example of those measures, he said trained medical personnel were stationed at transition point from cycling to running to ensure competitors could continue.

"We try to educate the athletes as much as we can to make sure they're hydrating more than they normally would," Chang said.

Chang added that Ironman's medical staff was also paying careful attention to the spectators and volunteers. Standing in the heat excitedly cheering on the racers is a common way to let things like dehydration and heat stroke creep up, he said.

"We'll have the announcer periodically let the spectators know to keep hydrated," Chang said.

Almost on cue, the voice of longtime Ironman announcer Mike Reilly came booming over loudspeakers positioned near Independence Point.

"You guys stay in the shade as much as you can," Reilly said. "Let's get through this day together."

Kootenai Health Spokeswoman Lisa Aitken told The Press on Sunday afternoon that the hospital did not see a dramatic increase in emergency room visits because of the heat during Ironman. As of 4 p.m., four competitors were seen at Kootenai Health, with two being admitted.

"It's what we expected," Aitken said. "We're just going to continue to take it hour by hour and handle incidents as they occur."