News
Kona Update #1
Posted October 1, 2007 02:56 PM
Well we've been here in Kailua-Kona for the past 2 weeks. Every day I am so thankful that we came as early as we did before the race on October 13th as it has been very windy, hot, humid and energy-draining. I have had some great training sessions in the heat and a couple that have been cut short due to distress brought on from the heat and unrelenting headwinds out on the lava fields. Thankfully Bob has been doing an excellent job as IronSherpa, following me in the car while I am out on my long rides and providing water, ice and anything else I've needed to help me survive.
On my "rest" days from training we have headed out in the car to sightsee some of the areas of the island that we have not yet seen on our previous trips here. We drove to the top of Mauna Kea which is a dormant volcano and actually the largest volcano in the world with approx 15,000 feet under water and 13,796 after sea level. We timed it to be at the summit (which during some of the months of the year actually has snow on it!) to see a lovely sunset. On the other side of the sky the full moon was rising - what an experience...
The sleepy town of Kailua-Kona is now starting to come alive with the arrival of many IM triathletes. We have started spotting numerous pros around town and at the swim practices in the morning down at the pier. Bob has been swimming with me in the mornings. Last week he swam with a group of spinner dolphins (approx 30 of them) while I swam ahead oblivious to what was taking place behind me! There were another group this morning, though both of us missed them. We were told, by some of the locals, that we should not swim this Thursday as the jellyfish appear in the harbour every 10 days after the full moon. We were very thankful for that tip as we had seen people last year covered in welts from swimming through groups of jellyfish.
After my run this afternoon I will officially be in my taper for the race. Having had some great swims here, and also after having cycled the entire bike route I feel a little more confident. However, if it's windy out on the bike course on race day it will make for a very difficult experience. I am dreading that scenario. On my weekend ride, as I was cycling back from the turnaround point of Hawi, there were (for the first time) some tailwinds. I was absolutely flying along the road, and up a slight incline, at 53kph with normal cycling effort. I felt like Superwoman. Then just a few miles ahead the dreaded head and crosswinds were back full force and I was struggling to maintain 20kph on the flats. Very tough mentally.
It's all about the experience though...I just want to get through the day and cross the finish line in one piece!
I will try to post one more update prior to the race. Finding a free computer terminal will become more and more difficult as race day approaches and 1850 IM triathletes end up in town!
