Blog

Kona

My blog is always about me, me, me (and sometimes a little bit of Charlie). But today, it’s for my friend Matt who will be racing at the Ironman World Championship in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii this Saturday. Go Matt!

Most triathletes and probably every single one who races in an Ironman dreams of racing at Kona. It’s the big daddy. You get a trip to Hawaii, which is obviously a nice place to be. The very best long-course triathletes are there every year, along with tons of sponsors, media and triathlon-celebrities. The course is known to be grueling – hot and incredibly windy most years. And it’s all the more prestigious because each year only 1,800 people “get” to do it. And most of those people qualify to race at Kona by being among the very best in their age group at a qualifying race. For those of us who can’t do that, there are about 200 slots available each year in the lottery. Two hundred. Out of something like 7,000 entries. That gives you about a three percent chance.

And we’ve come full circle. This year, Matt snagged one of those 200 lottery slots and he’s in Kona right now getting ready for the big day. In case you’re interested, his bib number is 1228 and on Saturday beginning at 1PM EST you can follow along with him here.

p.s. Here comes Presidential debate #2!

Swim – October 1
Distance: 1,250 yards
Time: 31 minutes

Strength – October 1

Brick – October 2
Indoor Bike
Time: 30 minutes
Average heart rate: 126
Transition: 2:02
Run
Distance: 2 miles
Time: 18 minutes
Average heart rate: 148
Course: Washington Square
Conditions: Sunny, cool, low 50’s

Swim – October 3
Distance: 1,250 yards
Time: 32 minutes

Strength – October 3

Brick – October 5
Indoor Bike
Time: 32 minutes
Average heart rate: 127
Transition: 2:41
Run
Distance: 2.25 miles
Time: 20 minutes
Average heart rate: 151
Course: West Village
Conditions: Overcast, cool, mid 50’s

Strength – October 6

Brick – October 7
Indoor Bike
Time: 30 minutes
Transition: 2:12
Run
Distance: 2.25 miles
Time: 20 minutes
Course: Washington Square Park
Conditions: Sunny, cool, mid 40’s (WHAT???)