I'm off in a matter of days to the Big Island(Hawaii) and all the training is done bar a few sunny acclimatisation rides and getting used to the salty shark infested(a ten footer seen last week) waters of Kailua-Kona.
Training has been good but I have missed running. The swim is the same. It means getting wet and getting round in a reasonable time without killing yourself. Its a long day in the sun otherwise. I'm hoping to break my swim time from 2005 which was 65 mins for non wetsuit. After that its onto the bike for 112 miles of wind and heat but my training has gone well with 4 consecutive personal bests on the local 10 course, 3 consecutive 25 pbs and last weekend a pb for 50 miles of 1hr 52mins 48 secs. Things are looking good I'd say.
So whats the plan? A steady swim then a swift controlled T1 then out onto the Queen K highway for a sub 5hr bike leg. Then a sedate T2 and a nice gentle plod to protect my knee from further damage. I'm not taking racing flats. I've packed some cushioned trainers and considering changing to run shorts but we'll see.
i am still hoping (weather, winds, pain and luck permitting) to make it back to Kona in daylight and under 11 hrs. A tough ask but I'll take what I can dish out and as long as I beat a gobshite celebrity chef that has somehow got a place and I finish intact then I'll be happy.
I also have my Mum and Dad watching me for the first time at Ironman and my gorgeous partner Ali will be cheering and probably hoping she was out there again after finishing her first Ironman in Melbourne where I qualified this year. I am sure there will be lots of friends tracking me and hoping they were there too. My friend Steve Clark from Lincsquad is also racing so we may see each other out on the course.
Afterwards is chill out time and some sightseeing. Volcanoes and manta ray swims are on the cards.
So until I get back, Mahalo and wish me luck!
