Greetings Boys and Girls -

Something about eating breakfast while watching the NFL pre-game on TV that's weird.  I know I did that a lot while I was in college, but that was because I slept until noon (and generally woke up hung-over).  Now, I'm up at 6 AM, chowing down before going swimming.

Patti Shott and that crew from my neck of the woods made it in yesterday, landing right before Renate.  Since then, I've seen that group everywhere.  Food shopping last night.  In the parking lot this morning.  At the coffee shop.

I think the population of Kona and the surrounding area more than doubled yesterday.  I imagine it being about the biggest arrival day for athletes and their families.  While waiting for Renate I could see how over-worked the baggage handler people must have been.  Lots of bike cases and lots of big heavy suitcases.

And then everybody wanted to come out this morning for their swim.  So, it was a bit of a zoo.  Plus there was a 5k - 10k race, so lots more people for that.  As I mentioned, I ran into Patti Shott in the parking lot and we walked over to the pier together.  Met Bill Hauser and chatted with him a bit.  Got into the water with Patti and Bill.  And assured Renate that it was ok for non-athletes to swim in the same body of water as athletes.  The water seemed to be a little cloudy and I didn't see as many fish as I had on previous swims.  I just did an easy thirty minutes.  Lots of Tarzan-style (head up) to avoid oncoming folks.  Got cleaned up and then walked over to a coffee shop.

On the way over we saw a couple of large gangs of cyclists, fifteen plus people, heading out of town.

After my second breakfast of the morning and a couple cups of coffee, Renate and I made it back to the condo.  Milled around for a little bit.  Did a little unpacking.  Then headed out for my hour run.

(Note: It doesn't look like the Cubs are going to clinch the NL pennant today. The Fish just hit another home run.  ITG is not having a good day.)

It's about 1.5 miles from the condo to the pier.  Another 1.5 miles or so to the Queen K, past the Aquatic Center by way of the old airport road.  (I'm sure it has a real name and if I got off my butt and went to look for a map I could tell you, but it really won't make that much difference.  Wait.  I remembered that I have a map in the folder right next to me.  OK.  I ran along Alii Drive to Palani Road to Kuakini Highway to Makala Street to Queen Ka'ahumanu Highway.  Now everybody knows exactly where I was running.)  I ended up with just over a mile on the Queen K before turning around and re-tracing my steps.  While running on the Queen K I saw the marker for 110 miles for the bike.  I'm sure I'll be overjoyed to see that on Saturday.  I also saw the heat waves shimmering off the pavement.  I don't think I'll be all that overjoyed to see those.

(Note:  The announcer just said that the Cubs have waited 58 years to get back to the World Series.  And now they're going to have to wait another 48 hours.)

I was pretty happy with my pace.  I made more of an effort to keep my heart rate under control.  I used the little green highway mile markers to get four timed miles during the run and I was pleasantly surprised that I was able to maintain about 7:55 pace while running comfortably.

And that about finishes up my Ironman Hawaii preparations.  Next week is Race Week.  Just a bunch of easy workouts and lots of resting.  And trying to keep myself relaxed and under control.  Up and until I cross the finish line on Saturday.  Then all hell breaks loose.

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