Hawaii 2007

Hawaii-  Sorry for not updating the blog but I do not have a connection in my cheap condo and have not had the computer with me at the coffee shop. The weather is great here and I do think that I am getting settled in.  I packed in such a hurry that I forgot some bike tools to put the bike back together but I got some tools on Friday. I think it is good that I got here early to get used to the heat but there is a part of me that is bored now. I am used to much more activity.  I did switch condos after the first night. I am staying in a dumpy place that is hit-or-miss on a nice remodeled unit.  I had a place next to the main road on the first floor but now I have a really nice place on the second floor with a million dollar view of the ocean.  What is great is that I did not have to pay a penny more for it.  The toilet seat was completely broken on the condo I had the first night.  Moving was a pain but well worth it.  I am also safer on the second floor from someone coming in.  There are some real bums here.

John McClain-  I have been reading this book that was written about John McClain.  In case you don’t know who he is…he was the first official wheel chair finisher at the Hawaii Ironman.  He was hit by a car leaving him a paraplegic.  The book is great and is really inspiring.  I know him through a good friend of mine named David Knight.  David used to be a VP at Gatorade and is a very great athlete himself.  His nickname was Gatorman and we met at my Hawaii Ironman the first time I was here.  He wore a cape and I had my cowboy out.  Hawaii Ironman is the World Championships so we really stuck out.  David and I really bonded and that is how I came to meet John.  What a guy!  John and David have both swam the English Channel so I am really inspired by both of them.

John McClain and David Knight at Ultraman-  Last year I got a call from David inquiring about the Ultraman.  I told him it was a piece of cake and really sugar coated the course.  I was certain that both of them would finish not really thinking about John only being able to put a maximum of 160 watts out of his arms when we can put over 200 with our legs.  David is a hard working VP at ebay and gets little time to train.  They both showed up at ultraman last year to race and did not make the cut-offs but they were all smiles.  David fell 200 yds from the finish line, got rushed to the hospital and spent the rest of his trip there.  After the swim on the first day I was struggling on the bike course and remembered how I sugar coated the course for them. I was wiped when I got done with day one and went to my room to hide from David thinking he would be upset with me.  I guess I had forgotten how bad the course was. They are tough guys and knew what they were getting in to.  They had a great time attempting the ultraman together.  I did give David my Ultraman necklace…he deserved it.

Marty-  I bumped into this guy on Friday and we got together for a bike ride yesterday.  Marty is from Canada and a really great guy.  He is also a great swimmer.  We seem to always be close together after day one.  He is one hell of a swimmer and I am not sure if I will see him this year.  He has had some trouble with his thyroid in the past but he is now taking some medicine and is really looking fit.I think that he will have the best swim here.

Susie -  Susie was sighted also.  I have not had the chance of bumping into her but I will be calling her tomorrow.  She is known for doings lots of crazy things before a race.  Last year she was night diving and doing really long crazy bike rides.   I am hoping that I can join her for some of it.  She is the true Ultraman having competed around 10x I think.

Alexander Roberio-  This is my favorite guy to win the race.  We both have won when we have been here together. We both agreed to come back this year.  I did not see him on the list of entrants but I guess he signed up at the last minute.  I know there is a guy here named Colting (I know I bet I spelled it wrong) that is really a fast also so it should be a good race.  Looks like Alexander and I both are going to have to fight hard to win.

Bike Riding-  I have not been sleeping so well.  I guess the anxiety has started.  Marty and I met for a ride with Marty yesterday (Sat) and it was really hard.  I was not expecting the climb we did!  We climbed about 4500 ft in a little over an hour.  The top of the mountain we were trying to climb was at 5000 ft. We turned around just before a mile from the top.  I drove it later and was bummed that we did not keep going but it was a good ride and pretty.  My heart rate was not too high but higher then I wanted it to be. Today I rode the climb that we do right after the swim and my heart rate was much better.  I felt better about my ride.  I wont say I am 100 percent but I am doing ok.

Swimming-  I think I have decided to do the ultraman without a wetsuit.  I like not having one.  The  trick is getting a skinsuit from my sponsor.  Mike Rouse works for Zoot and hopefully he will get the message to bring me one when he comes to compete. I still have time to change my mind but this is what I think I want to do.  I want to get my butt up in the swim records again. This water is to nice to use a wetsuit in.

Running-  My legs are feeling good but I still am having trouble with my feet after the 100 miler.  The shoes I have fit great but there is not much cushion.  I am wondering if I should look into a cushion shoe.  I have a shoe place to go to tomorrow. My Zoot shoes are to cool and I will do most of my run in them but just in case I will have some fluffy shoes around.  It never hurts to be safe!

Computer-  I am here at the coffee shop just down from my room and someone is looking at my sticky notes on my computer.  I know they are really wondering what the heck I have done. It is funny to see their reaction.

Bed time