Greetings
Boys and Girls -
It's
about 12:30 PM and I'm watching the Yankees - Red
Sox game. A bit too early for Guinness (I
can just hear Todd violently shaking his head and
muttering "it's never too early for Guinness") plus
I have to pick up Renate at the airport in a few
hours.
Today's
workout schedule was another brick. A little
bit longer bike and the same thirty minute run.
I
started off at the Aquatic Center like yesterday.
And made the left hand turn onto the Queen K.
The plan was to go out twenty or so miles,
turn around, and go back the same twenty or so miles.
It was pretty much uneventful. Saw a sign
for two miles of Donkey Crossing, but I didn't see
any donkey's crossing. The sign did say dawn
and twilight and I was riding about 8:30 AM so I
didn't really expect to see any donkeys. But
I didn't really expect to see any Manta Rays yesterday,
either. Maybe on the way back.
Traffic
was steady, but not as bad as yesterday afternoon.
The wind was also steady. Not really bad,
just constantly there. Bikes were steady,
too, but not a large number. I went down a
steady hill with a scenic overlook that I would
have to go up on the way back. I just re-read
what I wrote. Kind of a steady paragraph.
I could go back and re-write some of those steadies,
but I'm feeling a little lazy.
|
“ |
(On
the bike) I passed the sign telling me I was
back into the Donkey Crossing zone. And then
a sign telling me I was in the Banana Virus
Quarantine area. Should I be concerned?” |
|
|
—
Steve Noone |
For
those that care, I made it out to the little 79
mile marker on the Queen K before turning around.
The uphill to the scenic overlook wasn't all that
bad this morning. I'm sure it will be a little
different next Saturday. I'm guessing it'll
be in the 80 to 90 mile range of the ride.
Not nearly as bad as Lake Placid, but I'm sure the
heat and the winds of Kona will make it seem worse.
Nothing to do but put one pedal in front of the
other. I passed the sign telling me I was
back into the Donkey Crossing zone. And then
a sign telling me I was in the Banana Virus Quarantine
Area. Should I be concerned? If I catch
this virus do I turn into a banana? Maybe
I should hold my breath until I get to safety.
It's funny. I don't remember a sign on the
way out. Maybe the virus can't cross the road.
I move to the far left side of the shoulder, giving
me a couple foot buffer of asphalt.
The
remainder of the ride is uneventful. Not that
there were any significant events up to this point.
I made it back to the Aquatic Center and did my
usual unusual transition of taking the front wheel
off my bike and putting everything in the trunk
of the car. (Just to keep up to date with
the idiot light situation, nothing new to report.)
And then off on an easy run. I originally
plan on heading out to the Queen K to do a couple
of miles there, but I opt to head towards the pier
so I can visit the bathroom and fill up my water
bottle. Before anybody gets excited, I didn't
fill my water bottle while in the bathroom.
The Ironman folks have water and Gatorade out at
their information booth and that's where I got my
water.
Then
I decide to do part of the original plan and at
least run a few steps on the Queen K. It's
hot. I'm not sure I mentioned that.
It's very hot. As usual I'm running at a higher
heart rate than I should be running. I make
it out to the Queen K and run about 50 yards and
then turn back. I'm not feeling as great as
I'd like to feel. I need to visit a porta-potty.
So, it ends up being about a 22 minute run.
I
change into civilian clothes and go check into the
condo. Nice view from the lanai (porch or
balcony). I can see the turnaround buoy for
the practice swim course. I can just barely
see the pier where we start. I get the idea
that, on race day, if I hang a left at the swim
turn instead of a right I can get back to the condo.
Of course, my body would be dashed to pieces on
the rocks.
After
the condo I head back to Rich and Lesley's, shower,
and pack everything up. I want to thank them
very much for their hospitality and generosity.
It was a great few days staying at their place.
And tomorrow we're planning on dinner together at
the Kona Brewing Company. Then I guess I can
start to limit my intake of beer. (Did I just
write that?)
Now
I'm off to the airport to pick up the LOML (Love
Of My Life). See you all tomorrow.
