Post race fun

After I finished we went back to the condo to shower and grab a bite. Then for the first time ever we went back to the finish line for the action between 8 and midnight. It really is an emotional experience watching people who have been out there for 15,16,17 hours come running in out of the darkness, into the glare of the spotlights and the screaming of the crowds. The joy really shows on their face. Sunday we did a little snorkeling then went to the awards banquet that evening. Unfortunatly it started raining and just wouldn't quit so we left after a few hours.

Tuesday we went deep sea fishing. I was hoping to hook a giant marlin but no luck there. I did catch a nice mahi mahi which took me about 10-15 minutes to land on some light tackle so at least I didn't get skunked. The boat captains father owns a mexican restaurant on Alii drive so he dropped my fish off that day and we went and ate it as fish tacos that evening. It always amazes me how long I point my whole life in the direction of getting to this race and how quickly it's over. But as always it was totally worth the sacrifice's and I'll have many wonderful memories of Kona '08 the rest of my life.

The race

Saturday morning started with an 0430 wake up call. I had my standard egg sandwich and coffee at the condo, then off to race central for body marking. The start of the swim is always one of the coolest parts of the race. Your treading water for 15 minutes with 1800 other athletes who have been busting their ass to get ready just like you. The hawaiian drums are beating, lot's of tension in the air, then the cannon fires, and your off. Lots of kicking, bumping, and shoving.
I was hoping for a slightly improved swim time since I wore a speedsuit for the first time but at the 1.2 mile mark I was at 35 minutes so I knew I was on pace for my standard non wetsuit time of an hour and ten minutes. Transition onto the bike went smooth, first 20 miles fairly fast with a slight tailwind, then side gusts and hot, humid headwinds for the next 90 miles. Again I wasn't thrilled with my bike split but once I started running I knew it was going to be a good day. I passed hundreds of people including most that I had seen blow by me on the bike which felt good. I finished in 10:24 with a 3:26 marathon for 496 overall, which is the highest I've ever placed there. It's always nice when a plan comes together. Here are all the split times and details

Manta rays

Our friend Amy asked if we wanted to go with her on a night snorkaling excursion to see Manta rays on Thursday. They shine bright lights down into the water from the boat. This attracts plankton which the Manta Rays feed on. Over the years the local rays have learned that lights = food. So they glide all up and down the water colum were the lights are. These things get huge, up to 5000 lbs. The ones we were swimming with were probably in the 300-700 lbs range but still big when they're 6'' away from you. The only picture I was able to get is pretty poor but here it is.

Ironman Kona

One of my favorite experiences in Kona before race day is the early morning swim in Kailua bay, followed by hanging out at the corner of Palani and Alii drives people watching. This year there was a boat moored out in the bay that was serving coffee and espressos. So Marianne and I swam out where I was served a coffee by Scott Molina. Drinking espresso while treading water in the middle of beautiful Kailua bay, with warm sun, palm trees lining the shore, and a smile on my face. Life is good!

Ironman WC

Well the big day finally rolled around after 10 weeks of totally unbalancing my life in favor of training. We flew into Kona on Wednesday, registered, shopped at the IM store, then walked around the race village were all the manufactures had their bling bikes on display. Looking at all the high-dollar rigs started to give me some idea's since I vowed that this would be the last IM for my old litespeed.

Long overdue post

Between IM training and work I really haven't been getting on to post lately. Every weekend for the last 10 weeks has followed more or less this routine;

Saturday, meet Spence, Mike, Sandi, Erin and the usual cast of uber athletes on Oahu over on the windward side at 0700 for a 90-120 mile hammerfest bike ride followed by a 3-9 mile run. Drag my dead ass home about 3pm, eat a great meal that Marianne has been making to keep me alive, then bed. Sunday, get on the bike with Marianne around noon for a 1-3 hour "easy" ride, immediately followed by a 30 mile run at a 7:30-8:00 minute pace. Add in about 10K worth of swimming during the week plus some bike and run speed work and you start to see my dilema. Getting to the blog becomes a low priority.

However,.....I'm glad to say that all the work is now done and I'm tapering nicely for the race next weekend. My legs feel so fresh the last few days it's scary.

I did break my training routine last weekend to ride with the HACC because it was our friend Scott's last ride on the island. Scott and his wife Debbbie are moving to California. We will miss them greatly and hope to impose on their hospitality the first chance we get. Here are some pictures from the ride. Someone had the good sense to get a flat tire right in front of the most beautiful beach on the island, (Waimea) so I snapped a couple shots.