Bikes and Waves

Another stroll through the expo in Kona baby! The tension is building and the hype is full on.

The top ten on the participants list - it's quite the talent pool.

Near the finish line they have banners up of all the previous Ironman winners - here's one of Dave Scott, 6-time winner.

Lots of bikes on display - Cervelo's P5

Check out this Cannondale - sweet!!

Late afternoon I got to Hapuna Beach for some awesome waves.

They started out medium-sized and got larger as the afternoon wore on.

Body surfing was cool and some of these waves just tossed me around.

Took this shot before the wave crushed me - all for my craft!

One more day before the big dance - Cheers!

Aloha Eh!

Another rough work day in paradise! I had meetings with customers today just outside the conference ballroom. This was the view of the lagoon outside the conference.

This lagoon has a waterfall and I've seen tons of turtles in there.

Proof that there's actually a conference here!!

Don't be koi with me!

View of the Ironman expo.

 Cruise ship Wednesday in Kona - passengers were probably wondering what the hell is going on in Kona!

4-time World Champ Chrissie Wellington.

Luke MacKenzie reigning 70.3 World Champ and last year's Ironman 3rd place finisher Leanda Cave.

Kelly Williamson

Uber biker Chris Lietowith Julie Dibens behind - they were really nice.

No trip to Kona is complete without grabbing a beverage at Lava Java! More pics to come............

Cheers!

Aloha Kona!

My journey to Kona started Sunday in Toronto when I took off at 12:40pm. Little did I know that this was the beginning of a VERY LONG travel day. I managed to get 2 movies in over the 5.25 hour flight to Los Angeles. I watched the new Spiderman (liked it) and Rock of Ages (brutal).

Once I started seeing mountains I knew we were close. I landed in LA at 2:55 California time. Now LAX has 8 terminals. I landed and was dropped off at Terminal 2. My next flight was at Terminal 6. I had to catch a shuttle to Terminal 6, no big deal. I then had to go through security again at Terminal 6, no big deal. Our 5:04 departure was about to become a very big deal. Our airplane (United) had a mechanical - it must have been pretty significant as they took it to the "shop". Unfortunately there was no other plane readily available. In fact we had to wait for the plane that took off a couple hours earlier to go to Hawaii, unload, then come back to pick us up. Now from LA to Kona is over 5 hours so do the math. Our 5pm flight did not leave til 11:00pm that night or 5am Ontario time! We did eventually make it to Kona but by that time the car rental agencies were closed so we made the 30 mile cab ride to the hotel and got into the room at 3:15am Hawaii time or 9:15am Ontario time - a whopping 20 hour travel day, Booyah!!

I can't complain, obviously, cause this was my view the next morning from the balcony of the Hilton. Palm trees, fairways and the Pacific. Since my coworker and I did not have our car yet we had to cab back to the Kona airport ($70 each way). We retrieved a car and stopped by Kona to check out the scene. On the way we saw several pros out riding: and some in town.

Hilary Biscay was in town.

Here's Alii drive as it curves to the finish line.

Kailua Bay and Dig Me Beach - the site of the swim start.

Saw 4-time IM Champ Chrissie Wellington - crazy skinny!

Julie Dibens. Not racing this year to surgery on her foot. If she gets it fixed she will probably win next year.

Former 2-time IM Champ Normann Stadler

 Caroline Steffen - a strong possibility of winning this year.

I'm staying about 30 miles down the Queen K highway in Waikoloa. It's like an oasis in the middle of lava fields but right on the Pacific.

The entrance to the Hilton. This was this morning (I am working in case you wonder! I've had dinner and meetings with customers) at 7am when I went for my run.

It is beautiful in Waikoloa with trendy shops and beautiful landscaping and massive shoulders on which to ride and run. The roads are in awesome condition cause they don't have winter weather chewing them. I was here in March and the one thing I've noticed now in October is how windy it is and it is much more humid.

I ran out of Waikoloa and onto the Queen K. Despite being surrounded by lava fields some beautiful vegetation still manages to grow.

Close up of the flowers from that tree.

Around lunch I popped into BikeWorks, the local bike shop in Waikoloa. As luck would have it they had a bike available to rent. For 30/day I got the bike, helmet, spare tubes and stuff. This bike was brand new too. I took it out on the Queen Q over lunch for an hour. By this time it was HOT and WINDY!

The amazing thing about the Hawaii Ironman bike course is how it can be mentally draining. It's hot, windy, with lots of long rolling hills, lava fields on either side, and it pretty much a long straight out and back.

Not to worry about me, though, cause I made it back safely and only a little dehydrated! I had an hour to kill so I retreated to the hotel lagoon for a little dip - does the body good! Anyway, off to dinner with customers. I will try to get to Kona tomorrow at some point - apparently every booth is now up! Free swag - wha, wha!!

Cheers!

Fall Camping and the Big Island Surprise

This past weekend we went camping. Logan had a school PA day and the weather looked decent so we went to Turkey Point Provincial Park. We set up in the dark but otherwise got everything in place. The night was cool but comfortable with lots of blankets.

Picture is sideways - there's nothing wrong with you. I couldn't fix it but the morning sunshine through the trees was beautiful. While Sara and Logan relaxed I got a 5 miler in on the many trails in the park. It was hilly but awesome.

Nature shots.

On Saturday I took my older nephews mountain biking on some of the park trails. Humpback was hilly in the middle as the name suggests while Dizzy Lizzy was the most constantly winding trail I've ever been on. I ran this trail the day before but it was challenging with bike speed.

As always the campfire is a must. There was hardly anyone in the park so it was incredibly peaceful. The trailer had a furnace which was ideal for Friday and Saturday nights low temperatures. The weekend was under a full moon as well which made for incredibly bright nights. Finally, I heard back from my manager and I got the ok to attend the Western American Urology Association Conference which happens to be on the Big Island of Hawaii!!

I got the news late Friday afternoon and booked a flight the next morning. I leave at noon on October 7th and leave Kona at 9pm on October 13th. I mention the dates because the Hawaii Ironman World Championships are on October 13th. I will be able to catch most of the race before leaving. The winners will be done by 4pm and that gives me plenty of time to get to the airport for the journey home.

This is Kailua Bay before Ironman....

and just before the race start.

I'm really interested in seeing how the men's race turns out. Macca is back after trying to make the Australian Olympic team this past year. He sat out last year's race as a result but has developed a lot of speed over the past year. He will be neck and neck with Craig "Crowie" Alexander.

Crowie is back to defend his title and world record time of 8:03 from last year. He performed well at the 70.3 Champs in Vegas with a 2nd place showing. He and Macca have always had a rivalry over the past decade and given they are both pushing 40 it may be a race for the ages.

I will have blog updates on the Big Island and hopefully will be able to capture the energy of this awesome race!

Cheers!