COEUR d'ALENE - Happy Ironman, everyone. It's a hot one.

Here are a few shady places to cool your heels while rooting for your favorite Ironpeople. Keep in mind, as the sun moves, the shade will move, so these places may be better at different times of the day. Downtown also has a multitude of shops, restaurants and watering holes where you can escape the cruel summer heat, but if you prefer to be out in the open air, the race course has tons of viewing opportunities. Watch out for the albedo effect - the pavement will be reflecting some serious solar heat, so grassy areas will be your friend. Be safe and mind the rules and regulations of the course on your quest for shade, stay hydrated, and by golly, stay cool:

1. The lawn on the north side of the Elks building, between Fourth and Fifth on Lakeside - The old Elks provides some shade early in the day for those who want to catch the cyclists as they whir by. Space is limited, but it's centrally located, grassy and accessible from all directions. It might be a nice place to chill as you're walking around. It won't last long; the shade here will start disappearing as soon as the sun gets directly overhead.

2. Between the mighty trees along Mullan Avenue - Chunks of shade can be found between 13th and 15th streets along Mullan, give or take a few blocks. These strips of grassy refuge are just large enough to pop a few lawn chairs side by side between the curb and the sidewalk. A grocery store and burger joint are near this area, so treat yourself to a frosty cone or fried chicken as the athletes follow the Centennial Trail on their biking journeys to glory.

3. Hilly paradise farther along Mullan - north of the fence that separates the golf course from Mullan Avenue is a spacious, sloped knoll that is protected from stark sunshine by tall pines. It's a great vantage point to watch the cyclists from a distance, and it's situated near portable bathrooms on 19th Street as well as a restaurant, a gas station and the freeway. Camping chairs would be good here because of the slant and possibly damp grass.

Everyone's favorite viewing corner at Sherman and Eighth - Adjacent the White House and its ornate iron fence is an area that's popular for parades and other downtown events. Just a few feet of lawn separate you from the sidewalk, but it's plenty of space to get comfy. And the shade, courtesy of big, beautiful broadleaf trees, lasts most of the day. It's near food, a convenience store and it's a great hub to meet friends who can enter from the north section of Eighth. Across the street is a vacant lawn. While not shaded, it's a great place to let the kids run around if they're restless. Watch runners and cyclists from this vantage point.

The back side of Tubbs - A superb little lawn hidden in the pines at the intersection of Mountain and E. Lakeshore Drive provides plush grass and protection from the sun's rays while you watch the runners go right past you. You can take five and cool yourself at Sanders Beach or at the water off of Tubbs as the day progresses. You'll definitely see some Ironman spirit in this neighborhood.

Precious shaded areas along Coeur d'Alene Lake Drive - Near the Silver Beach Marina are patches of shade on the grass near the Centennial Trail. They're somewhat small, so you might have to share, but the view and the lake breeze are worth it. You can find various strips of trees and shade all along the Centennial Trail depending on how far you care to venture.

Good old Coeur d'Alene City Park - Spacious and shady, the City Park has plenty of trees to keep you cool. The lake is just a hop, skip and a jump from the refreshing grass. Bonus. You can set up homebase, utilize the public restrooms, have a picnic and let your kids can play in the Fort Sherman Playground to their hearts' content. It will be busy and not so easy to access, so you may want to get in early. Watch the athletes transition from one portion of the race to another and cheer for them while chilling in the shade of the ancient trees.

How far?

- 2.4-mile swim

- 112-mile bike

- 26.2-mile run