Relaxing on the baloncy of our condo and hearing the waves crashing 100m from us, it is hard to believe that in just over a day I will be standing on the start line of the Ironman World Championship.
It is at this point when you can really sit back and review all the long hard miles you have put in training. Every early morning, every sub-zero cycle, every windy run. Those sessions in the wind and rain that you made yourself do when it would have been easier to give up. Those long weeks when fatigue really started to set in and you would become ever so slightly irrational about every little thing. Those lonely hours spent out riding and running when friends and family were socialising. Every session you ever questioned and truly tested yourself. They all count, as valuable miles in the bank - all to be cashed in on one big day.
Kona has been an amazing place for a taper. It is warm, which suits me perfectly. The water here is crystal clear, and you have miles and miles of coral reef, tropical fish and various other marine life to keep you entertained. So far I have managed to sight both a turtle and a manta ray out swimming (sadly no dolphin - yet!). The roads are smooth, and both the lava fields, and the coastal road up to Hawi are beautiful to ride on. The heat and barreness of the lava field is quite awe-inspiring, and riding up the coast is really amazing.
Fit and lean athletes are everywhere - I actually pity anyone who has unknowingly come here for a quiet holiday. I can imagine it would have started out as "wow, everyone in Kona is so fit and lean...all with really nice bikes..." to "oh dear, we are stuck in a village of geeks who just talk about aerodynamics, calories and timing splits....".
The locals are very friendly and so helpful.
The entire village has been overtaken by Ironman - signs and stalls everywhere, product samples, temporary aid stations on course - it really has a festival-type atmosphere. This morning we got to view (I am sure Roger will regret not competing in) the undie run through town. A nice sight at times...not so good at others!
A nervous tension seems to have settled on downtown Kona -although Kona room mate Anna and I have been unaffected by this and have wisely decided to do our last swim tomorrow just off the coast close to our condo instead of muscling our way through the (mostly anxious) hordes down at the pier. Also living in the same condo complex as us is Miranda Carfrae - it was very exciting to meet her (and snag a quick photo op) - she really is one compact, lean ball of energy, and super friendly.
One thing I have really learnt here is not to ever stress in a taper. I feel ready to race; anticipate when the hurt is going to set in, and trust that my muscles will just continue to do what they were trained for. Keegan's coaching - and sessions chasing Candice - has definately left me feeling very well prepared!
Off for the athlete welcome dinner and race briefing tonight, then tomorrow is rack-the-bike day!! Not long to go now!
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