Kona: Day One - Sunday

Over the next week, I am going to keep a log of the events leading up to the 2013 race.  I will keep this as a personal journal, and to share the experience of an amateur athlete racing one of the greatest endurance events in the world.


First full day in Kona.  First full day of awesome.

This is my second time racing here in as many years and the difference in how I feel about being here this year vs. last is HUGE.  I came into the 2012 race as a last minute qualifier in Louisville, KY.  I entered Louisville last minute as well.  Getting to Kona was never really a thought until I got a slot in Kentucky, so being in Kona was completely unexpected.

I wanted to be here in 2012 to have some fun and enjoy this race/enjoy Hawaii as much as possible before racing IM Florida (also with my wife - her first IM) a few weeks later.  I love Hawaii - We come here two or so times per year, but for some reason it was not relaxing at all in 2012.  My subconscious took over and did not let me chill.  Yeah, I had many beers and many great times, but it just wasn't what I imagined.  I was constantly thinking of this race that I had never done - I was thinking of what the bike course was like, how windy it would be, and all that other stuff.  I was subconsciously scared of the unknown.  The crazy number of fit, intimidating Europeans/Australians didn't help either.

My feelings about being here this year are different so far.  I am much more relaxed about this thing.

Our flight was great yesterday.  Beth, Aiden and I were able to get the non-stop from Denver which was good for a toddler.   Got to the Sheraton and had a great dinner.  Then, this morning we did the Path 10k/5k.  The Path road race is the kickoff event for the IM week and its a chance to give one last harder effort before Saturday.  I did the 5k last year, but since I broke my foot a few weeks back, I wanted to do the 10k at a bit more of a relaxed pace.  I aimed for my open marathon pace and did just about that.  I ran a 39:00 for the 6.34 miles (a bit long) and felt fairly okay.  My dad also did the 10k and my wife did the 5k.

After the run, we came back to the hotel and grabbed some breakfast before watching Broncos football.  Great game, great win.  After that, I took a 30 mile ride out on the Queen K.  Day ended up at Sam Choys restaurant for some fish and poke.

Lots of athletes are here, but it hasn't totally picked up yet.  Registration opens on Tuesday, so I suppose it'll start to get a little crazy then.  The party is slowly starting.

Anyways, it was an awesome first full day.

Day started at 3am with Aiden.  4 hour time change.

Pap - my dad and Aiden at the end of the Path 10k

Aiden and Beth got some pool time

Aiden and mamma stretching before the Keiki run. 

Path 10k start - perfect way to start the Ironman WC week

This is how family photos should look

My parents, wife, and kid

First selfie ever - about ready for beer

beer #1

Kona taper: day five

Today was a simple one.  I did nothing but finish packing in the morning then walk around an airport and get to Kona.  Travel day!

Flight went well and we are all here.  I love it.  Always great to be in Hawaii.

I will start posting some Kona stuff tomorrow.  I'll do as much age group coverage as possible.  Mostly, I intend to post lots of pictures.

Probably his 10th trip to Hawaii.  My parents live on Maui part of the year.  Spoiled and lucky kid.

Steady diet of beer and fish for the next few days before the race.  It's worked in the past... If it aint broke, don't fix it

Kona taper: day four

I had a single workout today consisting of an 8+ mile run.  A little warmup, then 4 miles around open marathon pace (6:20-6:25) then 4 at IM marathon pace (7:10-7:25).  I felt pretty good and legs felt nice.

Went on to my first day as a special ed para at a school in Longmont - I am very happy to have a job to come home to.

Then a massage pre-flight and a little packing.  Off to HI in the am!

My car after leaving FAC (flatirons athletic club) this am.  First snow of the year.

Kona taper: day three

Did a little of all the sports today.  First workout today was a nice 3,500 yard swim again.

I am a huge procrastinator as a swimmer, so I often leave my swim fitness dormant until the last possible minute.  I started swimming consistently about 4 weeks ago.  I never swim in the off season, and often start swimming maybe a month to six weeks before an Ironman/70.3.  I tend to use my background as a swimmer and life-long time in the pool as a crutch to get me through the first leg of the race.  My approach is to have just enough to get through the distance in as close to an hour as possible.  I think that my time is better spent riding/running and that the investment in those sports will make for better overall finish times in the end.  Ride and run more = better return on investment...  I have had tons of people tell me I am wrong, but it has worked so far.  I will swim much more before the two planned full dist. races next year though - I will have a better idea about this theory then.

Second workout was a 31 mile bike averaging my target Ironman wattage - 205.  This puts me at about 3 watts/kg of bodyweight.  I have never raced ironman with a power meter, but I think this is where I want to target.  I made more adjustments on the bike today that will hopefully make me a bit more comfortable in HI.

Third workout was a 4 mile run.  I started out at 6:56/mile and built to 5:56 per mile.  My foot was quite sore today... It has usually been sore the day after I don't run on it.  I think this is a sign that there is healing and scar tissue still hanging on to the injury site.  The more consistently I run, the better it feels.  I will massage the heck out of it next week as I will only run twice leading up to the race.

And finally, I start a job tomorrow!  One day to get my feet wet before I leave for ten nights.

Before our morning trip to Safeway