On the 11th of October 2014 I entered the water at Kailua bay amongst the best age group athletes from across the globe. The only goal of the day was the finish line, to say my fitness had taken a big dip since July would be a massive understatement, it was all about the experience. Here's how things panned out...
Swim
I started the swim as far away from the pier as possible and at the back. In a bid to have a trouble free swim I waited 20 seconds after the cannon before I started. This worked reasonably well. I swam a very wide line so much so that a rarely saw anyone swimming on my left. There was some chop in the water but nothing too testing. After 15mins swimming along in my own little world I was joined by a turtle some 10 foot below for a time. I swam the whole way with a smile on my face and really didn't want it to end. Unfortunately it did and after taking my time in the showers I made my way into T1 and got changed ready to hit the Queen K.
Bike
Having hired a bike I couldn't be sure how things would go. My set up was all for comfort and not aggressive at all. My priority was to keep my temperature down and ride very conservatively up to the turn around point at Hawi. The heat was like nothing I've ever experienced before and the ice cold water I emptied over myself at each aid station seemed to evaporate away in seconds. The wind was brutal from about 50km but the knowledge that I'd have a tail wind on the way back kept me going. After the turn around point I learnt a very harsh lesson. I had been warned by the guy I was staying with that at a certain point in the afternoon the wind can completely switch direction, but this only really caught out the slower riders. With my very conservative ride strategy and my lack of fitness it seems I'd put myself smack bang in this category! The tail wind I was expecting on the way back never happened! I had taken far too long to get to the turnaround point and I now faced another 90km of cross and headwinds. The bike leg ended up being one of the longest, slowest and most laborious of any IMs I've done. I've never been so happy to see T2.
Run
Again staying cool was my priority on the run and I took every opportunity to take ice from the course and put it under my cap, down my top and down my shorts. What I didn't consider is that when all this ice melts it would run down my legs and soak my feet- sub optimal for marathon running. I managed to hold a slow but steady pace for the first 16k. I'd decided before the race that I'd walk Palani hill which I did, I started moving again as soon as I got to the top. It was at half way that I got found out and the rest of the marathon turned into a run walk affair- as I fully expected it would. Heading into the finish I took a short walk at the bottom of Palani to ensure I could enjoy the final run down Ali'i drive. Just as it was getting dark I entered the finishing shoot with a mix of emotions impossible to put into words.
Summary
My body nor mind for that matter were never in the right shape to do even remotely well in Kona. I'd made peace with that well before we travelled out there. I didn't have a bad day, I can't put things down to bad luck. My result was an honest reflection of my fitness. I fully appreciate why it takes both pros and AGers so long to crack this race and why some never do. If I ever decide to go back and have a proper go I'd definitely be looking at qualifying at an early race such as IM Wales so that some down time could be taken before spending a solid 6-7 months specifically preparing for Kona's unique demands. I can't claim that I enjoyed much of race day and it's certainly not the best event I've done on the IM circuit. What it is though, is an honest, solid, old school race- much of the race doesn't have the carnival atmosphere you'd expect. No distractions. Here you're battling with your mind as much as your body in very lonely and extraordinary conditions.
All in all the week I shared with Katie in Kona exceeded my expectations. The week preceding the race is as close to my idea of a heaven as I think I'll ever experience.
So let's tidy things up here...
How fast can I go without losing my job, wife and children's affection?- 9hrs 8mins & 36secs.
Is it possible to be the best dad/husband I can be and continue to train and race at this level? - No.
Will I ever be back again? Yes.
What was the single biggest contributing factor to me making it to Kona? My Wife. This isn't me trying to be all romantic and I know it sounds very cliché but its a cold hard fact. Katie has been a rock solid foundation during the pursuit of my goal and has sacrificed her own racing career which (for those that know her will know) has far more potential than my own!
I must also mention...
I've been working with Steve on and off since 2004. He's a role model, Coach and all round genuinely nice guy. He puts the sport and development of his athletes above all else. His straight talking and no nonsense approach has taken me from completer to competitive age grouper in probably the toughest age group category.
2. Human Performance Unit www.humanperformanceunit.co.uk
I've been racing for the HPU team for the past 3 years and they've been on hand to offer me so much support and advice. Their facility and teams knowledge at the university of Essex is second to none and I can't recommend them enough.
For now ;-)
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