This week is always a tough week I find. winding down the training duration and still maintaining calorie intake, normally means I start to feel a tired and sluggish. I know this is normal, but can start to make you feel a bit negative at times. Overall feeling positive for race tomorrow, i know i've the fitness to have a good race, we've been out here for almost 9 days so getting over the heat and humidity. I feel a lot more comfortable training in the heat this time around, than two years ago. There are so many variables in Ironman racing that anyone day can go either way. There are certain to be some bad patches along the 140.6 miles, but that's the time for another caffeine gel!! and endure more pain. On the plus side I've not managed to get sunburnt at all and i've been sleeping really well - no dreams about finding my bike in T1 has been replaced by a granny shopper - complete with step through frame, kick stand and basket! like before Ironman Nice.
This week has been rather quite - some short, easy sessions on the swim, bike and run and lots of sitting around, stretching, reading and drinking coffee.
Tuesday was the parade of nations - so we went along to support Yvette riding in the lead car for GB. We had had an leisurely walk down, so running late joined in at the back.
Wednesday Simon and I went out for a drive along the Mamalahoa highway, which steadily climbs, providing fabulous views of the Kohola coast below and driving towards Mauna Kea which you can just see above the low clouds.
After leaving Waimea we headed out on the Kohala mountain road which climbs to 3,564ft, before dropping down to Hawi (having obligatory coffee stop!) . Its a bit windy in the north of the island and the trees look like they do on beachy head, but that's the only similarity! From this part of the island you can see Maui floating in the background, over 30 miles away.
Thursday was a rest day. Simon, Steve and I did the underpants run - a charity 1 mile jog through kona to raise money for kona special Olympics and take the piss out of the Germans etc who walk around in speedo's. We all went out of town for a bit to captain cook bay, for some fish spotting and general lazing.
Today is Friday - race day is tomorrow. I've been for an easy 20 min swim and easy 40 min bike ride to check it over, now I'm having a rest!, before lunch then bike and bag racking. Tonight will be an early night in preparation for an early start tomorrow. Age group race starts at 7am local time, with the pro's off 30mins before at 6:30am.
