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Mmmmmmmmm! The smell of the Islands. Arriving in Kona has its
own unique characteristics, a traditionally bumpy descent,
meaning the trades are blowing, everyone saying Ooooooh,
Ahhhhhhh as they stare from the windows with almost disbelief
whilst admiring the magical views. The Boeing 757 throws itself
into reverse thrust relying on the winds to pull the Ironman
filled commercial liner to a stop.
I am reading a
book, which takes precedence over the view this time, plus I had
a rare aisle seat so that made me keep the book a priority. I
reckon if I was blind folded and you took me to most Ironman
city airports I could tell you where I am, well not really, but
when it comes to Kona then it’s a no brainer. The smell of the
Frangipani (Plumeria) trees woft thru the airy baggage claim.
The baggage claim area here in Kona is normal with everyone’s
belongings coming out jam packed with aloha shirts, sunscreen ,
a moo moo or two and a hat and flip flops, thongs for you
Aussies, no not that thong, ya thongs are flip flops in our
slang! But the thing that is really different is the oversize
pick up area. Now, this area is normally filled with Scuba gear
and Golf Clubs, but October every year is the pilgrimage of
Bikes and their owners eagerly awaiting their chariots as we now
they sometimes get lost, better here than China, (ask me another
day). Another reason why I know that I’m in Kona, I am the only
guy with hairy legs on the plane! Now that’s rare! I am also the
one who doesn’t travel with a bike bag, this time a computer,
and also no training gear, just a script. Oh how things change!
All good of course.
I was in town
only 2 min’s before I started getting calls. Hey, can you come
and do this gig on Thursday? Can you come and do this??? And on
its goes.
I know I am in
Kona! It’s a good thing! Ironmanlive.com is getting ready to
break new ground, you’ll have to wait and see what I mean but
race day promises to be the best ever, for us, and the race
itself is loaded.
Let’s talk
about some athletes.
Got to catch
up with my long time sponsor Oakley, Larry Maddox (my twin
brother, you’ll notice him, he’s just a bit taller than me)
Wendy Ingraham, Tim and Nic DeBoom, Lil Kim the Canuck and the
other Lil Canuck, eh, Lori Bowden.
What a nice
dining experience. Over the years I really haven’t ventured out
that much, stayed close to what was comfortable. Now I am
getting to understand that a lot of the top pros are doing this
and I think it’s a great idea. It helps you keep your mind being
on the race 24/7.
We talked
anything but Triathlon, which was nice after talking to people
the whole over about the race, which is also nice, are you
picking up on me liking a chat! Anyway!
It was great
to see these guys, hadn’t seen Tim in a while and he looks
great, always articulate confident and has a nice feel to him
(he must workout)! He felt me first! Hands off! Ok, where was I?
Nic as usual had her glow and now an Ironman Champion herself at
Wisconsin last month has now slipped into Margarita mode and
that was good see.
Wingnut is
here working with TYR and informs me that Interbike was crazy as
usual and she’s glad to be here. Word on the street is that she
is racing Florida in 3 weeks. Lori was funny as normal also
sporting a Kona glow and smiling away as we tucked into shrimp
cocktails, waters all round, except for Lazza and Nic.
I am writing
this at a crazy hour, 3am yep, on California time, probably an
hour a day I say with the adjustment, but felt the urge to write
and then head off for a dark walk along Alii drive.
Heading off to
the Pier this morning to check out the scene so I will update
you again later today.
Check back with me later and I will have an
interview with Ryan Sutter (Bachelorette winner) to tell you
about. Might ask him if he’ll get a rose at the end of the race,
hang on, he got the rose, he got the girl, what else is
important in life? Oh yeah, an Ironman finishers medal, very
elite company! Later. |
