Another tough race that was. I doubt I’ll ever have a Kona race that is not a significant experience. As many people who have raced ironman distance know it is a big challenge to get around, but throw in a lot of heat, humidity and wind and you’ve got yourself a challenge that will take you to new levels of effort. The day started out good for me, I was very keen to swim well and I had worked fairly hard since Christmas to try sort my swimming out. Even the good swimmers struggle here as the swells and non wetsuit rules make for a difficult start to a long day. I had spoken to a few people who swim well here and two tips that stuck with me were a fast aggressive start and a shorter stroke.
I started out fast and expected it to be tough for the first 10minutes before things settled a bit. I had a near panic attack when I was locked in to a bunch on both sides where I was touching elbows on every stroke. I tried to block it out and manage the stress thinking it will be over soon, sure enough the group split up a bit and I found some breathing space. I focused on the short wide stroke and keeping my head down as much as possible. At the half way point it was pretty crazy and it seemed easier to do a kind of freestyle/breast mix as there were bodies everywhere. I noticed the time split of 32mins so already way ahead of last years pace. From the turnaround point I found a great draft from a guy who had a mild kick and decent pace so I stayed with him most of the way back. At various points other swimmers tried to take his feet but I was quite boisterous to hold on to it as it was working well for me. Coming on to the beach I saw the time at 1:06 and thought I had a good swim for a change . T1 was slow but nothing new for me.
Right outside T1 a rear cage bottle jumped out as the road had some bumps and as this bottle was a heavily loaded part of my nutrition I went back for it and noticed a lot of people had dropped bottles there. The first section out to the first turn and back is always fast as people get carried away with the screaming crowds and their fresh legs. It was a good atmosphere but I was keen to get out on the Queen K and find rhythm. As soon as I got out there it was quite busy ahead unlike last year where it was quiet on the first section. About 10mins in on the Queen K I was watching my HR/power but also looking out for some good guys to work with, there was a few of us trying to pull away from the crowd and there were a few motorbikes around. One came up beside me but I wasn’t concerned as I felt I was well outside the 10m box. I had been using the cateyes on the side of the road as a guide as a few guys had told me they were around 10m between, so when the bike slowed down near me I stayed where I was maintaining the distance between me and the guy ahead, but all of a sudden she pulled a red card and told me to check in to the next penalty box. I asked her to repeat it as I couldn’t believe it. I stayed where I was and argued that the gap was legal but she wouldn’t respond, instead just repeating that I should check in next penalty office. I was in shock, The bike hadn’t even started and I was being told to stop for a 4minute penalty. I was so disappointed that I felt like immediately turning and trickling back in to town. I kept going but the penalty tent was a long way up the road and all I could think about was the fact I had been penalised. I was devastated and it distracted me from my race plan. I was determined to not let it bother me but in truthfulness it dominated my thoughts for a long time and it wasn’t until the pain of the run later on that I stopped worrying about it. When I was in the penalty tent I was chatting with another guy and we were laughing at how we were usually giving out grief to drafters and here we were standing in the tent. Not much we could do but laugh about it, and to top it off some pro photographer was snapping us standing there looking bemused.
Much like 2010 the bike was tough and the road up to Hawi heavy on Watts and it was difficult to keep the HR down. I had noticed Craig Alexander in the lead pack as the pros passed when I was climbing. it’s such a great thrill to see what’s going on with the leaders and it helps with the threshold pain of the race. I always maintain the only bad thing about racing Hawaii is that you don’t get to watch the pros in action, but we do get the odd glimpse when they pass. The road back was immediately fast and felt good after the long grind against the wind.
About half way back to Kailua Rob (Wormald) passed me looking comfortable and I stepped it up a bit as we headed back to town. Not long after, I seen Rob at the side of the road with a puncture, but he was quick to fix it and didn’t lose too much time in the end.
I knew my bike split was slow but was dissapointed with the final split of 5:13, I still held hope that I could run well and better last years time. My legs were tired in T2 but I felt quite good going out on to Ali drive for the first 10mile of the run. I was hot but I stuck close to the 140 start hr and it felt comfortable. I was taking on nutrition and water/ice as I knew it would be very important for the latter stages of the run. At the turning point I saw Owen close behind but i still felt very comfortable. Coming back in to town I saw Pete Jakobs pass to the finish and Raelert soon behind, I figured these guys were on very fast times.
Palani was harder than I remember last year, as the breeze dropped I really felt the heat and my pace to keep hr down was close to a jog. On the Queen K I felt alright but decided now to move hr up to 145 earlier than last year. It seemed a long way out and I was very aware of the 16mile still to go. I just kept my head straight and focused on nutrition and heat management at aid stations. The pro women coming back lightened the load a bit as I watched the leaders go by and figured out what was happening there.
As I reached the energy lab I was quite tired but comfortable enough and still had some bounce, but I felt the first of a light cramp on my right hamstring. I thought it might be salt so I took on some salt tabs. In the energy lab my friend Una was screaming her head off and that was a nice lift but at the turnaround I seen Owen was very close and I thought I should lift it a bit to try and get away from him.
When I lifted it towards the energy lab exit the effort brought on the hamstring cramp again so I popped more salt tabs. I had been drinking coke and what I thought was enough water, but the cramps stayed. I was also feeling fine engine/breathing wise so it was more than likely a dehydration cramp. I looked back and seen Owen getting closer so I tried to hold pace but any time I lifted the pace the hamstring locked up. I knew Owen was breathing down on me so when I heard him closing and lifting his pace to go by I lifted the pace to hold him off for a while and make him work hard to go past me. This kept him at bay for a bit but the cramps were coming and going and as I reached out for the next aid station he went straight by (obviously we’ve both read Macca’s book J ) I got some drinks down and got straight on his feet, and stayed there for a mile or so, but by the next aid station the hamstring locked up completely and I had to stop and stretch it. I had enjoyed the battle with Owen but he disappeared quickly and now my next worry was getting moving again and finishing this thing. I managed to start again but coming off Palani the leg went and I had to stop again.
Stretching was not working and some guy said run backwards, I no doubt looked silly but about 10 seconds of this got me running again, so I stayed at a jog to get to the finish line. At least I enjoyed the home straight this time as I couldn’t run fast, and was determined not to stop and stretch in front of the crowd J
Coming over the line I felt weird so they had me in medical within minutes to raise my temp and get me on the drip as I weighed 10lbs less than before the race. The drip helped replace electrolyte levels and I got an ice bath before leaving too so I was very impressed with the medical setup. It’s the first time I’ve had medical and it really helped me recover after the severe dehydration. A very tough day and a great but painful experience. This race is always my biggest challenge but I can’t wait to get back for the next round!
It’s been a long but enjoyable season, I peaked in Austria but had struggled since to get back in shape. I was not able to repeat the months of consistent training that I had in the build up to Austria but at least I got to race Hawaii in one piece. I’ve really been looking forward to the end of the season so Alan has given me a month down to regroup and relax before we start our assault for next year.
I’m writing this from Waikiki in Honolulu where I plan to have some proper rest and keep my feet in the air. I will give the body and mind the rest it needs and I look forward to getting out there and improving for next year. Mahalo, Aloha!
Splits:
Splits:
| Swim: | 1:06:52 |
| Bike: | 5:13:41 |
| Run: | 3:10:22 |
| Overall: | 9:38:15 |
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