Wow, it’s hot out here!

Posted by on October 5, 2011 in Training

Well, unfortunately, my hopes and prayers for a sudden cold front haven’t come to fruition.  In fact, when I left the hotel this morning en route to a swim session, I was met with instant humidity and just mild heat, but it was clear that the temps would get higher as the day progressed.

I got into the water around 7 a.m. along with dozens of other athletes.  My coach, Christian, had prescribed a 30 minute swim with some incorporation of drills and other skills on the return trip back to terra firma.  On the way out, I felt very comfortable and felt as if I was navigating well and quickly getting from one orange buoy to the next one.  That sensation abated rather quickly when I stopped just briefly to check out my navigation, fix my leaky goggles, and take an assessment of how far I’d come and need to go on race day.  Unlike the other three Ironman events I’ve completed, all of which feature a two loop swim course, this course features just one really looooong loop.  Upon noticing that the final buoy was so far way that I’d need to swim forever to get there, I began to feel those feelings of self-doubt.  I know these feelings well; I’ve been facing them my whole life, but I pride myself on my ability to overcome this adversity, and or course in this application, there was no way I couldn’t swim back home easily.

After exiting the water, I actually felt good.  Also felt good to see that I had shed some pounds in the recent weeks and could go shirtless without too much concern for feeling or looking flabby.  You know, just because I do this Ironman stuff doesn’t mean I’m cut up like Arnold.  There are plenty of really fast dudes who are even bigger than me.  I have a bit of complex about my physique, and feeling good about how things have turned out in recent weeks gave me a bit of a boost and sense of confidence as I majestically strolled from the pier back to my hotel.  As I write this, I can’t help but smirk at the idiocy of this.

After a quick change in the hotel, I set off for an hour run along Ali’i Drive.  Plan was to run for 30 minutes or so, then head back… and that’s exactly what I did, in the really hot weather and high humidity.  I passed an old guy, said good morning to him, and was ready to chat him up when he suddenly put on this burst of speed and put 20-30 seconds into me.  It surprised me that he was so passionate that he vowed to not let some young (I compliment myself often) buck show him up.

For the most part, my run felt great.  Legs were rested, overall spirit was positive, and I got to see three pro women triathletes at various times.  My heart rate however was at the higher end of my acceptable spectrum, likely because it had to devote energy to cooling systems.  I did feel like, despite the heat, that I could run this frickin race and do well.  It was a good omen and good confidence booster.

Tomorrow, I’ll meet up with my buddy Steve, we’ll drive to the cement factor near the  base of the climb to Hawi, then ride up that climb, head down, and then head to the Natural Energy Lab to do another short run, mostly for recon.  I’m VERY excited to get out onto the course and survey the bike conditions.  Afterwards, I’ll pick up my race packet, then move to our group house just a few miles south of town.  Naturally, I’m very excited about seeing my posse too.

All good things are happening here in Kona.  I just need to survive the next few days and keep my positivity flowing without interruption.  Things look good!

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