Ironman 70.3 Des Moines || Race Recap & World Championship Slot Allocation

With one more chance to qualify for the 2024 Ironman 70.3 World Championship in Taupō, New Zealand, Colin put it all on the line at Ironman 70.3 Des Moines. After racing two previous Half Ironmans (St. George & Chattanooga) in the last five weeks, he entered the day with a lot of race fatigue, but a determination like no other. It turned in to a day - and a weekend - he will never forget. For many reasons.
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Welcome to the KZbin home of Team Saunders Tri - Cait & Tif
Caitlin began her triathlon career in 2012 on a fat tire bike and no swim background. She met Tiffany when she was training for Ironman Texas 2013. Accompanying Tif through most of the training (minus most of the swimming), and serving as a finish line catcher volunteer, catching Tif at the end of her first Ironman, it didn't take long for the triathlon bug to bite. She completed her first full Ironman in 2015 and added another in 2017 - crossing the finish line both times hand-in-hand with the love of her life.
Tiffany's triathlon life started in 2009 with The Rookie Tri at the Texas Ski Ranch. From the time she crossed the finish line, she was hooked. Since then, she has added 3 full Ironmans to her resume' (Texas 2013, 2015, 2017). But it's the 70.3 distance that has been her favorite calling. Since her first Ironman 70.3 in Galveston in 2010, Tiffany has crossed the Half Ironman finish line more than 25 times, including three Ironman 70.3 World Championship appearances - with Caitlin - in South Africa, 2018, and St. George, Utah, 2021 and Lahti, Finland in 2023.
Team Saunders is documenting the journey of training, life and taking on new challenges along the way. A pair of Age Group triathletes, they hope to motivate and inspire others to find their own challenges.
Come along - give us a LIKE, SUBSCRIBE, RING THE BELL and let us know what you think in the comments!
/ @teamsaunderstri
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[@amyfriesland723]

Congratulations, Colin on a great race!! I appreciate your heartfelt comments. I got teary listening to you. I am 53 and just lost my husband of 32 years unexpectedly in February. Hang on to your sweet Katie!! You know what is REALLY important in life!! - I love following all of you and wish a fantastic season for all of you. Keep working hard!!

[@colinlord]

I'm so sorry for your loss, Amy. I can't imagine what that was like. Really appreciate the comment and that you are following along with us. Thank you!

[@TeamSaundersTri]

Reason number 9,999 to always root for Colin!

[@taylor.3347]

Super exciting. Congratulations!!

[@colinlord]

Thank you, Taylor!

[@TeamSaundersTri]

It’s so cool to see Colin perform. He always races with heart!

[@nunodomingues3552]

What a race!! Congratulations Colin!! Next year I will be cheering you on in Marbella. Stay strong and positive. ❤

[@colinlord]

Appreciate that, friend! It was a great day, regardless of what happened at awards.

[@TeamSaundersTri]

He was a man on a mission!

[@katylord87]

So proud of you, Colin. And so grateful for Tiff and Cait. 🧡

[@colinlord]

Love you, @katylord87 ❤

[@TeamSaundersTri]

A special memorable weekend. Love sharing these with both of you! 🧡

[@vickielord5978]

So proud of my firstborn! I must have done something right (or at least not too wrong) to have raised such a kind, loving, truly exceptional human being! ❤

[@colinlord]

@@vickielord5978 You get to claim credit, Mom. You told me for my entire childhood that I needed to put down the Nintendo and go get some exercise!

[@RobHale81]

Great race.. Sometimes that is just how the cards are dealt.. You gave it everything man.. Good job.

[@colinlord]

Thanks, Rob. I agree. Sometimes it just doesn’t work out. Appreciate you following along!

[@TeamSaundersTri]

The rewards are going to be that much sweeter in the long run!

[@dannybalos9025]

I raced Iowa seen you a few times everytime I said good luck or offered encouragement you responded which is hard to do during max efforts so just wanted to say great effort Collin and I really enjoy watching the team Saunders journey. Keep rockn

[@colinlord]

Of course! I hope you had a wonderful race out there!

[@TeamSaundersTri]

Class act! Hope your day was great, Danny!

[@cdnnurse01]

I'm not teary your teary, OMG I felt everything Collin but you always find the positive and that's something I love about these race reports, Congratulations what a amazing day,

[@colinlord]

I try! It was a long drive home, but I tried to remind myself that there isn't anything productive about staying upset over this or wondering where I could have found those 2.5 minutes throughout the day.

[@TeamSaundersTri]

We always watch in awe. If Colin has a goal, put your bets down he’s gonna get it.

[@Mef637]

Fantastic work Colin. You were flying on that run.

[@colinlord]

I kept trying to tell myself that as soon as I crossed the finish line, a whole bunch of rest days were awaiting me!

[@TeamSaundersTri]

And he made it look effortless!

[@Grit2Greatness]

So damn proud of you Colin!!!! You are so inspiring and truly blessed to be loved in such an amazing way! Congratulations on an excellent race and lifetime PR!

[@colinlord]

Thank you, friend! I consider myself very blessed regardless of whatever might have happened at this or any other slot allocation!

[@TeamSaundersTri]

We’ve said it before, Colin is the real deal! Glad we get a front row seat to his success.

[@mikebosch723]

Congratulations on a great race Colin. That’s a tough break but it sounds like you have a great perspective on the day.

[@colinlord]

Thanks man. It was a great day. And now I've got some free time on my weekends!

[@TeamSaundersTri]

Slot allocations and rolldowns are so nerve wracking! But we know there are more great rewards coming his way.