Post Kona

I have finally arrived home after unsuccessfully trying to cancel my flight to "become" a permanent resident in Hawaii.  Our honeymoon in Waikiki was an excellent way to wind down after the race and rejuvenate the mind before coming back to the NZ race season.  It also gave me a little bit of time to realise that even though I had a disappointing race in Kona, it is not the end of the world, and ultimately those closest to you are so proud of you for just making it to the start line, regardless of your race result.

Race morning dawned warm and clear (like most mornings in Hawaii).  Anna and I were up at 4:20am for breakfast before heading down to body marking and transition.  As I usually do, I threw my Ipod on, and got on with the job of preparing for the race.

The swim went pretty much as I had expected.  Not being incredibly fast in the water I anticipated swimming around the 1hr10 mark.  I also anticipated the swim to be a bit of a washing machine, so was prepared for the watery chaos that ensued once we started.  I managed to get on to the feet of a couple of guys, and for the most part of the swim sat pretty comfortably behind them.

Once out of the water it was through a very busy transition, and then on to the real business of making up some ground on the bike.  Well, that was my plan - which didn't exactly pan out in reality the way it did in my head.

Once on the Queen K I got into a pretty good rhythm, and felt pretty strong.  Remembering everyone's warnings of making sure I was hydrated, I also began drinking.  A lot.  Maybe too much.
Approaching Hawi the wind had picked up into a pretty decent headwind, with plenty of gusts hitting us from the side - very much like some of my training rides back home!  At this point I began to feel a little ill, and was struggling to take on board any gels, but figured as long as I kept drinking I would be ok.
Coming back down from Hawi was still windy - although not the tail wind I was anticipating.  Just more gusty crosswinds.  Turning back on to the Queen K for the final 60km saw these crosswinds turn into a headwind.  Mentally, this was tough!!  I kept looking at my watch and saw my goal ride time slipping further and further out of my reach.  Still struggling with my nutrition, I kept knocking back the Ironman Perform that was on course.

Once I hit transition, I was pretty happy to hand my bike to a volunteer - actually I probably would have handed my bike to just about anyone at that point.  Through transition again, I almost made it out feeling good when I realised my race number belt (not needed in the cycle, but compulsary in the run) was still in my transition bag!!  A mad dash back to the change tent I managed to locate my bag and dig it out and then hit the run course.  Silly mistake as usually my bike/run transition is super quick.

Out on the run I stuck to Keegan's pacing plan and felt pretty good for the first 15km.  Almost too easy!  Closer to the 20km mark I began to feel pretty ill again, and from then on it was downhill (unfortunately not the course, just me!).  I had slowed considerably, started walking the aid stations, and had fantasies about being able to pass out (i.e. "look at that bit of lava...I bet it would feel awesome to just pass out there...on the lava...just passed out...").  It felt like the run was never going to end.  Pretty disappointing as I usually love running.

Running back into Kona and onto Ali'i Drive for the final 800m before the finish line was just incredible.  The noise and energy coming from the crowd is just amazing.  Even though I was pretty gutted running through the finish line and seeing the time I had raced, just finishing in Kona was pretty amazing.

Once through the finish, each athlete has a volunteer (or two) assigned to them to take them over to the post-race area.  As I found out, if you retch when drinking a cup of water, they will also take you straight to the medic tent.  An hour there on an IV and I was ready to ride my bike back to the condo for a shower.

Total race time was 10hrs31.

After catching up with Keegan, I think I can safely say I may have consumed a little too much (ok, a lot) of Ironman Perform on the day.  Important lesson to learn!

I have to say the volunteers out on that course were amazing.  They encouraged, yelled at, even threatened athletes - anything to keep them moving forward.  Their energy and enthusiasm - through all the heat of the day - was just incredible.
I have to say a big thank you to Roger for allowing me to bring my bike and running shoes on our honeymoon; as well as to our families for helping us get there.
Also to Bob's Bikes for the support and advice they have given me, and keeping my bike in excellent riding condition. 
Adidas Eyewear for my Evil Eye Pro's - these are by far the best glasses I have used racing.  Super lightweight and comfortable, with the best lens technology out there.
TopMark Nutrition for my gels, bars and recovery formula.  Fueling up for training and racing has never been tastier!
And Candice for letting me borrow her race wheels - I was kind of hoping they would magically make me as fast as her!

Just Over a Day to Go!

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!