Hawaii. The good bits…
The Ironman World Championships in Kona, Hawaii
Solo journey to the other side of the World. Fascinated by Virgin Atlantics on board mug’s… Claire SS would be happy about her T in one of those (may have borrowed one).
Land in Seattle… Ramen for dinner. Normatec’s on at the airport, followed by Yoga. Who am I? Hawaii is dark when I touch down, greeted by pouring rain and a vehicle too small for the bike, I went through the back door, rubber skirt on the car is no longer! Kept my Endura jacket on, felt chilly, thought I had done heat prep for this race?
Beautiful early morning surprise view of the jungle and ocean from room 4447 at the Sheraton. Lunch time juggling with local avocados… thank you Live Feisty… the Big Island breeds Big avocados! Pineapple challenge accepted, unable to beat Rinny… she is well tuned in to the island. Norfolk friends Emma and Nathan inviting me over for dinner, enjoying a heart to heart.
Meet at sunrise for a sea swim with Nikki and Bex.. delayed, drug testing. Pop double Olympic Gold Medallist a text… got your Drag2Zero hydration on me. Four Seasons for dinner. Enjoying Poker on TV.. the stakes are ridiculous! Fancy a sunset sea swim…? Till spent too long training. Pro athlete in the making. IM Lanzarote is on the cards.
Energy Lab for a long easy run with great company… kept my top on, it wasn’t that hot! (or I am just self-conscious) Flower in my hair to greet my better half at the airport, Aloha! Evening dinner of local Ahi mesmerised by Giant Manta’s moving graciously through the ocean.
Day of Hawaiian enjoyment, morning of Dolphin searching, Rebel Kitchen for lunch. Green Bay teach me American Football on the Monday night show.
Swim the race course at Kailua Pier, get distracted by my favourite Porcupine Puffer Fish. A Big Breakfast of eggs, avocado, Kona Coffee and rice, yep rice… at Huggo’s, dolphins jumping as we look over the Pacific. Brother arrives from Tokyo, 19hour time difference? Paul Kaye gives Tom a shout out as I enjoy a pre bike rack chat at Kailua Pier. Rack my bike with a handshake from ENVE, mahalo for riding our wheels. Media click flash with the cameras.. was it me or the bike? Movie afternoon… The Impossible. Pre-race dinner with the Manta’s.
Silly early to be up for a race I have been arguably preparing for since reading ‘A Life without Limits’ over 7 years ago. Thank you for reminding me from NYC Em x
TORQ energy gels given into Pro special needs in my baby Evian bottles… no one else would surely have collected those and brought them over to Hawaii right? The journey to my bike starts with the most beautiful and friendly volunteer from Utah.. first she pops F35 on both arms… takes me to be weighed. Pardon… how many Pounds! (let’s call it well hydrated) then the Vaseline station, then a water stop.. then the sunscreen stop… next stop the bike.
Endura Kit on… Suka has my back, Zone3 Swim Skin on, brand new goggles opened. A big smile to Lionel.. a super fan right here. Chit chat with Nikki… why are we doing this?
Leading the chase swim pack.. disappointed. No one wants to lead, we all want to be holding onto the fastest feet. Work to do.
Inspiring company on the bike. The German influence was taking the Watts to silly heights… settled for my own version of silly Watts and Heather Jackson joined the party. Hawi was disappointing… lost Heather and rode back down solo. Noticed Kaisa for company back on the Queen K. Good bike numbers, satisfied but not excited…
Running along Ali’i drive with the most magical support highlights; Dennis and the Ceramic Speed guys, Fraser, Mark & Co. from GTN, Lululemon ladies… 3.30 marathon pace was within me so listened to advice. Up Palani to see Eloise beaming… ‘I actually love you’. I held pace happily and was told at 24km I was looking the best in the field… my response “I am running the slowest… that’s why!” made me giggle. Kona wasn’t the day for me to try and be a hero.. If I could push on I would do so in the final 10km back on the Queen K heading home. 32km hit, my pace dropped to pedestrian. I refused to walk and kept moving forward… the finish line was most welcome 9hours and 44minutes and 17seconds after the blower horn went off at Kailua Pier. 26th at Kona is not a performance in my eyes but I am committed to create a performance out of the toolbox I have for the years to come…
The day after the day before… cliff jumping with amazing company. What better way to recover than to do a 1m cliff jump whilst the support team brave the 12m jump! I still felt like a hero. After party was done right with great company… I have nothing of note to report from the Monday. Mahalo Hawaii x