Something about eating breakfast while watching
the NFL pre-game on TV that's weird. I know
I did that a lot while I was in college, but that
was because I slept until noon (and generally
woke up hung-over). Now, I'm up at 6 AM,
chowing down before going swimming.
Patti Shott and that crew from my neck of the woods
made it in yesterday, landing right before Renate.
Since then, I've seen that group everywhere.
Food shopping last night. In the parking
lot this morning. At the coffee shop.
I think the population of Kona and the surrounding
area more than doubled yesterday. I imagine
its being about the biggest arrival day for athletes
and their families. While waiting for Renate
I could see how over-worked the baggage handler
people must have been. Lots of bike cases
and lots of big heavy suitcases.
And then everybody wanted to come out this morning
for their swim. So, it was a bit of a zoo.
Plus there was a 5k - 10k race, so lots more people
for that. As I mentioned, I ran into Patti
Shott in the parking lot and we walked over to
the pier together. Met Bill Hauser and chatted
with him a bit. Got into the water with
Patti and Bill. And assured Renate that
it was ok for non-athletes to swim in the same
body of water as athletes. The water seemed
to be a little cloudy and I didn't see as many
fish as I had on previous swims. I just
did an easy thirty minutes. Lots of Tarzan-style
(head up) to avoid oncoming folks. Got cleaned
up and then walked over to a coffee shop.
On the way over we saw a couple of large gangs
of cyclists, fifteen plus people, heading out
of town.
After my second breakfast of the morning and a
couple cups of coffee, Renate and I made
it back to the condo. Milled around for
a little bit. Did a little unpacking.
Then headed out for my hour run.
(Note: It doesn't look like the Cubs are going
to clinch the NL pennant today. The Fish
just hit another home run. ITG is not having
a good day.)
|
“ |
I think
the population of Kona more than doubled
yesterday. I imagine its being about the
biggest arrival day for athletes and their
families.” |
|
|
—
Steve
Noone |
It's about 1.5 miles from the condo to the pier.
Another 1.5 miles or so to the Queen K, past the
Aquatic Center by way of the old airport road.
(I'm sure it has a real name and if I got
off my butt and went to look for a map I could
tell you, but it really won't make that much difference.
Wait. I remembered that I have a map in
the folder right next to me. OK. I
ran along Alii Drive to Palani Road to Kuakini
Highway to Makala Street to Queen Ka'ahumanu Highway. Now
everybody knows exactly where I was running.)
I ended up with just over a mile on the Queen
K before turning around and re-tracing my steps.
While running on the Queen K I saw the marker
for 110 miles for the bike. I'm sure I'll
be overjoyed to see that on Saturday. I
also saw the heat waves shimmering off the pavement.
I don't think I'll be all that overjoyed to see
those.
(Note: The announcer just said that the Cubs have
waited 58 years to get back to the World
Series. And now they're going to have to
wait another 48 hours.)
I was pretty happy with my pace. I made more
of an effort to keep my heart rate under control.
I used the little green highway mile markers to
get four timed miles during the run and I was
pleasantly surprised that I was able to maintain
about 7:55 pace while running comfortably.
And that about finishes up my Ironman Hawaii preparations.
Next week is Race Week. Just a bunch of
easy workouts and lots of resting. And trying
to keep myself relaxed and under control.
Up and until I cross the finish line on Saturday.
Then all hell breaks loose.
