Today, Thurs 11th Oct is our last rest day before the body needs to start responding. Two days out from the race is all about resting the legs and building up the calorie stores, as if we have needed an excuse to eat or sleep!! The day will also be spent sorting our kit into the correct bags and some mandatory tinkering with our bikes prior to bike and kit check-in on Friday. Decisions on what flavor gels and in what order one wants for breakfast, lunch and dinner on race day cannot be overlooked. Calories / nutrition for the entire day will be in the form of liquids, predominantly gels no so solids. Bearing in mind we can burn anything between 8 to 10 thousand calories on race day we need a whole lot of gu-eeeee stuff!
Marc “Fozzy” Foster our support crew arrived safe, sound, in 1 piece although a little red eyed from 3 flights, a night in Honolulu airport and copious amounts of caffeine! Teambenben greeted him with both his fav’s and the local must hav’s, 85% dark choc, macadamia nuts and a floral necklace known as a lei. His bags had hardly hit the apt floor when he was consumed by the schedule of Ben’s boot camp, coffee and catch up at the famous lava Java café followed by a swim and run.
The last few days have passed without too much drama (phew), unexpected expense to both our bikes did catch us unaware, another phew, for the plastic this time! As race day looms the circus feel in Kona is in full swing, the show ponies are out on parade and we have an endless supply of caffeinated and double shot caffeinated energy gels!! The “expo” here where all the brands set up their tents to drain you of cash is as the Americans would say “awesome”. I think we have all made some purchases, of course being the true retail chick I have dug deeper. A new kit on race day for me has ensured a fashion disaster averted!!
Training has been kept up over the past few days, a bit of everything swim, bike and run has been on the agenda. Fozzy has joined us for the swim and run sessions, he is taking support crew to a whole new level and exceeded expectations this morning….he participated in the “undie run”!! Yes you did read right and just as it says on the tin you strip to your undies and run. Sunnies, visors, shoes and socks are allowed.
Social / catch up time has also been found which has been fun and a momentary rest bite from the training. We know a number of fellow lovers of the lycra who too have made similar sacrifices to get here. A mix of friends from home and friends we have met on our travels through Thailand and Aus.
Our safe haven or “condo” as they call it over here suits the 3 of us just fine. A well equipped kitchen, a marble-esque bathroom, 2 pools, your own piece of private beach and a veranda to chill out on to enjoy “el-fresco” style eating.
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A lot has happened since I finished the last paragraph with a full stop, the ironman, 3 flights which meant numerous zones and “f-ankles” (fat ankles) in Ben’s case, arriving back in the UK and returning to my flat in London.
Going back to and just to touch on the ironman in brief, wow what an experience and yes for the record, I want to do it again! The most awe inspiring part of the day was not coming down the finish chute and at last crossing the line to the sound of “you are an ironman” but being at the finish line for the last few hours before the midnight cut off. 82 year olds were crossing the line and one lady made it with less than 30sec to go, now that’s efficient planning and strategic pacing!!!
Ben had a blinder of a race, he is just too quick and gave many of the pro’s a run for their money. The brutal winds which are being reported to have whipped up to 60 kmph did not appear to slow him! They certainly slowed me and nearly blew me off course and off my bike! A slower than anticipated and expected bike time meant I had to run like the wind! It was a break through run for me and my little legs which is encouraging as I know they can still go faster. We both finished 21st in our age groups and I managed to get top placed Brit too which was one of my goals. Big shout out again to Fozzy our support crew who did sterling job on the day with endless encouragement, you never quite knew where you would see him next which was exciting. As I am typing this Ben is compiling his race report which is always from the heart and a blow by blow account of the blood, sweat and tears (if there were any)!! Hence no war and peace paragraph on the race in this blog. All the action from Ben’s race report can be found at www.bwebeck.blogspot.com
I am not sure the reality of being back has quite hit us, although it being cold, grey and raining is a constant reminder! We have started the exciting tour of catching up with friends and family so not all doom and gloom, plenty to look forward to. The subject of work can no longer be avoided, trousers have been in the dry cleaners and shirts ironed for Ben, updating the CV is top of my agenda.
As this chapter comes to a close and a new one begins I cannot sign off without thanking you all family, friends, followers and fans for your love, support and encouragement over the past year whilst we have been running round in lycra, living the dream, our dream.
Who knows when we will next close our eyes to start dreaming again?
and where we will wake up?
Night xx
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