I’m riding back to Kona on what we’ll call my acclimatization ride I’m riding on long flat section of the Queen K Highway. Ahead a car coming the other direction pulls off the highway and the passenger get’s out and walks to the front of the car. I can’t figure out what they’re doing, as I approach I realize they’re taking a picture of me riding up the Queen K. Yes a tourist has stopped to take a picture of one of those crazy Ironman people. I have officially become part of the freak show here in Kona.
Yes we made it (and all of our luggage and bike) to Kona after a great flight. I thought that people really wouldn’t be here in mass yet but I think I might be one of the last to arrive. As we drove to Kona from the airport there are athletes riding everywhere, and the shoulder of Ali’i Drive is packed with runners shaking out their legs before sunset. Some look like they’re trying to make up for training time lost.
The reality is setting in that I’m in Kona at the World Championships. The reality happens quickly and shockingly. All the people you see pictures of in magazines are here and they’re out there like everyone else. They’re just part of the crowd. Last night I saw Chris McCormack (2007 World Champ) running on the drive. This morning I passed Chrissie Wellington (2007 World Champ) running up the drive as I rode out of town and we exchanged g’morings. Craig Alexander (2007 runner up) and I passed each other on the Queen K this morning, man he we flying. Later in the ride I passed Norman Stadler (04’ and 06’ World Champ) he had an entourage with him. To be clear both of the previously mentioned I passed going the other direction.
I made some deposits in the karma bank on the ride today stopping to check on several other riders who were having bike troubles most were fine but one pair I offered up CO2 cartridge which they gladly accepted. It never hurts to have a little karma on the Queen K it can be an unforgiving stretch of asphalt.
Our rental house is great, it exceeds our expectations and needless to say we’ve settled in quickly. It sets right on the water is vey nicely furnished. It’s quiet, peaceful and low key a perfect place to get away from the freak show.
My ride today was really good. Plan was to ride 4-4.5 hours to get the body used to the heat and humidity. I quickly adjusted when I was here in May and fell right back into rhythm today. I rode from our house a few miles down Ali’i drive through Kona and onto the Queen K. I rode out to the end of Queen K and a few miles out on Highway 270 where you start climbing up to Hawi. I felt pretty good early on the ride and just felt better and better as the ride went along. There were no big efforts today and I finished up the 80 miles in just over 4 hours, averaging near 20 mph. The Queen K was up to its normal tricks; heat and wind and lots of both. The road was pretty clean with not much glass or other tire dangers. I did have one very interesting experience today which I’ve never had before. As I was riding back to Kona through the heat waves rising from the highway I could see this drifting black specks being blown towards the highway across the lava. I was on an exact trajectory to intersect the mass. I thought maybe it was ash…no….what….the first one hit my helmet, BEES!!!! It was a swarm of bees being blown on by the wind. I was pelted by bees they were hitting my helmet, my arms, my face, my glasses, my legs and then I was through the mass. I couldn’t believe it, not one sting. Well that’s not something you experience every day.
Tomorrow I will swim and run. A little activity each day just to keep things loose. Here’s a few pictures from Kona. I will try to post pictures each day and provide blog updates. Stay tuned for more from Kona!!
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