Is 2 am and the race is long over. I am not sleepy, surprisingly enough after such a long day. Its seem crazy but kind expected after that kind of effot.And after spending 4 hours in the medical tent post-race I figured I would be bouncing back in no time. Not so much.
Thanks to everyone who responded to my blog - I love that people beside my mom are actually reading it. I expecially loved all the warm whishes for raceday, not only family and friends but complete strangers too (and I regret that I cannot accept unsolicited marriage pospoals - but thank you I am very flattered).
So who wants a friendly wager over how many overzealous people will be out swmming at the Pier tommow (there are some beautiful fish to be seen, maybe I'll even join them... or maybe I'll just spend the morning at Lava Java with the biggest latte they've got (I have been off the java for 3 weeks before race - it really sucks). see ya down there and save me cinnamon bun...
Sunday, October 14, 2007
Friday, October 12, 2007
One Day To Go!
Its 6:15 and the house is dark and quiet, like the calm before the storm. This time tomorrow will be a different story, but for now I am enjoying the peace of a last Kona sunrise before I submerge myself into this world of hurt known as Ironman. Bring it on.
Yesterday I did absolutely nothing of note except eat. You’d think a day of eating everything in sight after months of strict training and healthy food would be fun but it doesn’t actually feel all that great. The proverbial fattened calf going off to slaughter actually comes to mind. I did have one other task Thursday and that was to prepare my race bags, which took most of the evening. Whew - I don’t think I am organized enough to be an Ironman; there’s, like, 5 different colored bags to put run gear/bike gear/special needs/pre-swim gear etc. I have shoes and gels and pills and numbers to divvy up between each bag and this is serious business. In IM I get the impression that if you mess up one thing that can eventually be the end of your day. I am exhausted already!
We went to the Powerbar Kona breakfast in the morning - Powerbar is great, they are kind of like a grandma. You know, if one cookie is good than a dozen must be even better. I ask for a couple of gels and I receive a box to last me for 3 years - love it.
The press conference was uneventful, sigh. I was hoping for a fist fight or a chair thrown around, but nothing was stirring those boys up this time. Triathletes are way too polite. I think next year the girls are going to have to talk some smack and give the reporters something to write about
Yesterday I did absolutely nothing of note except eat. You’d think a day of eating everything in sight after months of strict training and healthy food would be fun but it doesn’t actually feel all that great. The proverbial fattened calf going off to slaughter actually comes to mind. I did have one other task Thursday and that was to prepare my race bags, which took most of the evening. Whew - I don’t think I am organized enough to be an Ironman; there’s, like, 5 different colored bags to put run gear/bike gear/special needs/pre-swim gear etc. I have shoes and gels and pills and numbers to divvy up between each bag and this is serious business. In IM I get the impression that if you mess up one thing that can eventually be the end of your day. I am exhausted already!
We went to the Powerbar Kona breakfast in the morning - Powerbar is great, they are kind of like a grandma. You know, if one cookie is good than a dozen must be even better. I ask for a couple of gels and I receive a box to last me for 3 years - love it.
The press conference was uneventful, sigh. I was hoping for a fist fight or a chair thrown around, but nothing was stirring those boys up this time. Triathletes are way too polite. I think next year the girls are going to have to talk some smack and give the reporters something to write about
Thursday, October 11, 2007
48 hours ‘till go time
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I know the conventional carbo-loading protocol has gone out the window but I’ve still been told by everyone who matters that this is the day to eat BIG. In the words of an email I received from Pete Reid : “Overeat on Thursday, Sam. This ain’t no freakin’ half, it’s an Ironman.”Bring on the pancakes…
Had a great little swim workout in the am. I guess it really does take 2 weeks of taper to feel good again in the water after loading your legs with months of long bike mileage. But the speed was there and I felt gooooood. We spent some time at the sponsors’ houses today and I have to say, I may come back in my second life as a gear rep. I’m living up the hill with an insomniac rooster and they are chillin’ in beach front mansions with hot tubs over looking the ocean. If anyone needs me I’ll be in the Asics hot tub as of Saturday evening.
Press conference and race meeting this afternoon. I’m looking forward to meeting up with all my competitors with their game faces on.
Jasper Blake was kind enough to send me over some giant chocolate chip cookies last night, but there may be an alterior motive. I think he’s worried about getting chicked. He emailed me later looking for some extra salt tablets which I said I was happy to supply. Too bad all the pills look the same to me; it may have been some Ex-Lax that I gave him…
Wednesday, October 10, 2007
T minus 3 days and counting….
Not really sure what the above sentence means exactly but I think it refers to the fact that there are 3 days left until something big so I figure its applicable.
Best open water swim EVER yesterday. Yes, the water was bouyant and warm and there were lots of pretty fish to look while we swam. But what made it exceptional was the fact that someone had put an espresso bar 700m out from the swim start. Like, in the middle of the ocean. On a boat. An espresso bar. Awesome. Wonder if it will be there on race day? Although of course there is always one tri-geek that has to spoil it; we’re all on deck, enjoying our iced lattes in the sunshine and some guy swims up and clambers onto the side of the boat demanding “got any Gatorade?” Dude, it was 700m to get here -if you are having dehydration problems at this stage of the race you might want to rethink your game plan for Saturday.
The rest of the day was spent at Bike Works getting a little pre-race tune up. They are great guys and helped me with a new wheel when I flatted in the Hawaii 70.3 earlier this year so the bike is feeling dialed. Hopefully I wont get to see them out there on race day J. Went by the Argon 18 booth and checked out the new E-114. Sweet.
Hit a few race pace intervals on the Queen K, but alas, my display of strength went unwitnessed by any of my competitors.
The evening was spent at a lovely dinner at the Sheraton Kaeahou with the CEO Challenge participants. It was a beautiful spot overlooking the ocean, delicious food and at the end of the evening 2 huge manta rays swam right up to the edge and entertained the crowd. It was great to meet with the CEOs.. I am always in awe of how someone who runs a muti-million dollar company and has a family and kids can train for and race Ironman (and these guys are fast). This is all I do and I still run out of time during the day…
Off to the pool and then a few appearances. If anyone is in town I will be at the Zoot booth at Huggos this afternoon from 5-6. Drop by and say hello!
Best open water swim EVER yesterday. Yes, the water was bouyant and warm and there were lots of pretty fish to look while we swam. But what made it exceptional was the fact that someone had put an espresso bar 700m out from the swim start. Like, in the middle of the ocean. On a boat. An espresso bar. Awesome. Wonder if it will be there on race day? Although of course there is always one tri-geek that has to spoil it; we’re all on deck, enjoying our iced lattes in the sunshine and some guy swims up and clambers onto the side of the boat demanding “got any Gatorade?” Dude, it was 700m to get here -if you are having dehydration problems at this stage of the race you might want to rethink your game plan for Saturday.
The rest of the day was spent at Bike Works getting a little pre-race tune up. They are great guys and helped me with a new wheel when I flatted in the Hawaii 70.3 earlier this year so the bike is feeling dialed. Hopefully I wont get to see them out there on race day J. Went by the Argon 18 booth and checked out the new E-114. Sweet.
Hit a few race pace intervals on the Queen K, but alas, my display of strength went unwitnessed by any of my competitors.
The evening was spent at a lovely dinner at the Sheraton Kaeahou with the CEO Challenge participants. It was a beautiful spot overlooking the ocean, delicious food and at the end of the evening 2 huge manta rays swam right up to the edge and entertained the crowd. It was great to meet with the CEOs.. I am always in awe of how someone who runs a muti-million dollar company and has a family and kids can train for and race Ironman (and these guys are fast). This is all I do and I still run out of time during the day…
Off to the pool and then a few appearances. If anyone is in town I will be at the Zoot booth at Huggos this afternoon from 5-6. Drop by and say hello!
October 9th - 4 sleeps left
Kona Oct 9
A relative sleep in today…I didn’t hear from Charlie (our rooster and resident alarm clock) until almost 6 this morning. Ah, the joy of industrial strength earplugs (never leave home without them).
Yesterday was another day in paradise. Started the day with a little 3k race pace swim down at the Kona Aquatic center. The joy of swimming outdoors is never lost on a Canadian like me; it’s always a pleasure. A little tempo run on the course and a great massage and I am feeling pretty good by the end of the day.
Clint “Writer Guy” Lien (check out his blog on peterreid.com) who is our housemate here in Kona whipped us up a delicious dinner of seared Ahi on the grill. It was melt-in-your-mouth fresh; you almost didn’t even have to cook it. It paired perfectly with the local brew – the Kona Brewing Company’s Fire Rock Pale Ale. We ate this feast on the lanai (outdoor room in Hawaiian homes – really just a big covered deck) while watching the sunset over the Pacific. Pre-week race life is not too bad. 4 sleeps until the big day….
A relative sleep in today…I didn’t hear from Charlie (our rooster and resident alarm clock) until almost 6 this morning. Ah, the joy of industrial strength earplugs (never leave home without them).
Yesterday was another day in paradise. Started the day with a little 3k race pace swim down at the Kona Aquatic center. The joy of swimming outdoors is never lost on a Canadian like me; it’s always a pleasure. A little tempo run on the course and a great massage and I am feeling pretty good by the end of the day.
Clint “Writer Guy” Lien (check out his blog on peterreid.com) who is our housemate here in Kona whipped us up a delicious dinner of seared Ahi on the grill. It was melt-in-your-mouth fresh; you almost didn’t even have to cook it. It paired perfectly with the local brew – the Kona Brewing Company’s Fire Rock Pale Ale. We ate this feast on the lanai (outdoor room in Hawaiian homes – really just a big covered deck) while watching the sunset over the Pacific. Pre-week race life is not too bad. 4 sleeps until the big day….
Monday, October 8, 2007
Another Day In Kona!
Woke up to our friendly neighbourhood alarm clock this morning; there is a rooster that lives under our balcony at the rental house. Its in a neighbourhood, but apparently farm animals are fair game in Kona residential areas. I don't really mind getting up early since it prepares me for race day and makes sure I head to bed on time each night. Its just that he keeps going for 2 hours. Okay, I get it, I am up already!One thing about being in Kona early is that you get plenty of time to check out your competition. It is impossible not to run into all your fellow racers and see how hard everyone is training up and down Alii drive. I think the first 12 hours that I was here I ran into a certain tall blond racer 3 times. I was not 2 hours off the plane and I had walked down the road to find a grocery store. The only thing available was the "Pu Pu Pantry", a little corner store in a hotel, meagre pickings at best. So I am walking home in the rain, beraggled and jet-lagged, eating a Popsicle and feeling sorry for myself and who do I see running up towards me but MJ? I waved feebley and vowed that next time I saw her I would be training hard and looking fierce. I had my opportunity the next morning when our paths crossed again. Unfortunately this time I had just finished swimming and was in the midst of cramming a mac-nut muffin into my mouth when she trots up the path in front of Lava Java - still running while I enjoyed a latte in the morning sunshine.So now I am off to hang out at the Pier all day and fire off some quick 400's down Alii drive in case anyone else wanders by... Sam
Sunday, October 7, 2007
1983. BORN IN KONA. HOW IT ALL BEGAN.
As I'm sure you've heard, Zoot Sports was the first triathlon brand, born in Kona, in 1983.A very special woman, and athlete named Christal Nylin, created the first Zoot Triathlon Suit. Christal had noticed too many triathletes using transition areas as "changing" areas, and was driven to find a solution for this. And she did.
Chrystal's first Zoot Shop was located next to Huggo's, and was a favorite place for triathletes to have their race uniforms custom-designed by Christal...however, Christal asked for one thing: She needed to spend 30 minutes with that Ironman athlete and learn his or her personality so she could design the tri suit accordingly.
25 years later, we continue to do the same for our athletes, as illustrated by Sam's custom racesuit for Kona. You can learn more about the making of Sam's uniform at: http://www.zootsports.com/ . You can also read a brief Q&A with Sam, as she prepares for the big dance on the Queen K.
This week in Kona, Zoot Sports will return to this special location, in front of Huggo's and bring you great surprises, from Test Rides of our 2008 ULTRA Footwear line to the opportunity to personally meet Christal Nylin, the week will be an exciting one and we look forward to having you join us.
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