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1 Mile Lava Tube:

Hike 2.5miles down a path leaving from mile 23 on the saddle hwy.  On your right is a hole in the earth.  Climb down the rocks, take 3 flashlights, and a friend: Super hostess Michelle.  You just keep heading down this long ‘culvert’ through the earth.  Stalactites, and stalagmites have a shiny silvery-black look.  Really cool, but being out here by yourselves, and seeing the frequent spots the roof has collapsed (this young rock here ain’t strong) is a little un-nerving. (more…)

Hawaii is dangerous, but really fun and cool.  Sort of a cross between North America (Walmarts, McDonalds, pickup trucks) but the added danger, and relaxed nature of Guatemala and Central America (sure you cliff jump there, but the currant could take you to Antarctica).

Driving:

I started things off with a driving tour of the island. Leaving Kona behind, I drove uphill, and was immediately met with tin shacks, giant ferns and heavy rain. The area looked nice, though, and the road (Hwy 11) was twisty with a decent verge. I later realized that these verges aren’t super safe for cyclists as the locals use them as slow vehicle lanes. (more…)

Mrs Loeberg taught me in grade 9 that I should not to start a sentence with ‘And’.  And look where it’s gotten me!

So I received a K-Swiss care package today.  I was expecting a set of track pants, one pair of shoes, and was hoping for maybe a pair of socks or a t-shirt.

The box was so big that it took up more than it’s half of the front of the rental car (my mtb was in the trunk, and a Specialized super sweet 18.5 lb Carbon Stump Jumper was taking up the back seat).  I need to clone myself 7 times to wear all this stuff. (more…)

Hey,

I have very limited internet access, but after some crazy fluid retention in my legs, I am mostly recovered, and will start training for Xterra on Friday.  I have a few hikes around the Island (hitch and with shanks) planned and I’m really really glad that I have little bit of extra time here to check the place out and be able to enjoy Hawaii.  I’m in Hilo now and it raining, but I came back from the farmers market with 4 different varieties of avocado (there are over 300 grown on the island, but because of the large California lobbying groups they can’t sell them in the supermarkets, so the organic flavorful ones are cheaper than imported mushy hass ones.  Classic.  I’m excited for the potluck tonight to try out my haul. (more…)

Overall I think that Vegas training has gone really well.  The weather forcast for the upcoming week in Hawaii (with humidity factored in) is slightly cooler than the past 3 weeks have been here.  I e-mailed Mr Salt Stick and we went over and tweaked my nutrition plan, and my salt intake for Kona.

My swimming is where it was before Wisconsin.  My bike is going faster.  My run, well I have no experience running a marathon, let alone off the bike in Kona.  Macca took 7 attempts to get it, but McGlone and Wellington both did OK on their first go.  Personally I think I’m as ready as I can be, and am looking forward to the racing. (more…)

One really good omen about the trip down here which I forgot to mention, is that on my South West flight, I sat near to the cutest girl on the flight, but then was distracted talking to a 60 year old lady flying down to gamble.  Both things surprisingly typical.  When I remember the attractive young lady, I triple take looking over before I realize that it’s Kateri a good friend of mine from high school who I’d lost track of for some 11 years. (more…)

Plan A: was to hit the road and make the 6h out of the desert in the cool of Sunday evening.
Plan B: was formulated until I woke up Monday morning having not made plan A. But I was showered, had slept 9h, and my belly was full of some Ames Famliy BBQ. Not to mention that I spent 2h in the pool, ‘cooling my core’ temperature, and otherwise cavorting with my homies Emily and Colin.

Before I even got to Vegas my butt was cramping, probably a combination of the worn out seat, and the racing. Subie, is possibly due for a timing belt change, and as a precaution I purchased the required belts, and ratchet set.. sitting as preventative measure in the shotgun seat. (more…)

Clermont Florida…

Sean was telling me how great the pool at the ‘NTC’, it was truly spectacular. Two days after ending our drive here, I did another 1900m test, and after a month of 22km swimming weeks I was a little disappointed to only take 15s off my time.

RACE DAY. Florida’s Great Escape Triathlon, March 9, 2008
1km swim, 27km bike, 5km dirt run was the deal for the day
I have been telling anyone who would listen… watch out for the energy of the first race, as I have 2 years pent up competitive energy, and I was planning on taking it out on the elite field with prize moolah 3 deep. (more…)