Some Afterthoughts

Congrats to Dave Lowe, M60 AG, in his first Kona finish. This has been a long season for Dave and I only hope he realizes what he's done. He's qualified for, raced, and completed the notorious IM Hawaii race, at age 62. Kelly Hovland on her way to completing the double with xterra worlds this weekend. Kelly didnt have a good race at Kona due to variable factors, one of which may be her coach, but she prevailed on a very tough day for her, and like my race in 2004, I am certain she in retrospect see will this as one of her finest races ever. Jason Lester, who realized during the race, and the days following, that you can never do an Ironman "as a workout". Sure he is in his prep for Ultraman Hawaii next month, but...you cant do an Ironman as a workout. Its always a major endeavor.

Most importantly, I give all credit to my season to my coach Olaf Sabatschus. Yeah I did the work but I cant emphasize enough on the knowledge and guidance I gained over the past 18 months. As I told some friends, this season was more of an experiment for me. To attempt a very busy racing schedule without blowing up. I lack this knowledge, as many do, even though they dont realize they lack this knowledge. One thing I learned in Med School...its not what you know that makes you intelligent, in school, life, and in teaching others. Its realizing what you dont know. I work with, and teach other docs on a weekly basis that have been specialists in their field, and yet still lack the ability to understand what they dont know. I try to be somewhat modest and the learning in my field of neuroradiology never stops. I always try to find more answers, seek out a better understanding of my field in medicine. Likewise, I try to apply this to life, and my coaching. I am not beyond anyone's knowledge...but I know what doesnt work most of the time...and I certainly know what my limitations are. You cant improve on a weakness if you lack the ability to discover what your weakness it. Its simple. Its called insight.
So, my lack of understanding of true rapid recovery in racing 9 events since IMAZ this summer, in prep for a season ending Kona was understood and I needed guidance in this aspect of coaching. I would rate it a great success in that my understanding on how to extend a season while IM training without blowing up is much higher. Not a great race at Kona but still a very strong race. There is no one else to credit but Olaf. Olaf is the embodiment of knowledge in this sport and each and every one of my personal bests are because of him. My physiology and potential are irrelevant without his guidance. So, Olaf, I am sorry for firing you. But, I have to move on now. We have to find balance in life for awhile.

Well its been just over 2 weeks and its good to be gaining some weight. Have both TT bikes and my road racing bike up for sale so maybe they'll sell. If not, I have space for them. Considering my 10:10 was 12 minutes off my PR at Kona, in worse conditions compared to that 2005 "tail wind" year, I cant be unhappy. Sure, my potential this year in these conditions was more like 9:30-40 I believe but that still would have put me just out of reach of the podium and even on a day in which I raced at the top of my expectations, still...likely no podium.

Ann on the other hand had to make a choice this summer. We talked about it. I specifically told her by racing ITU so close to Kona, there would be the chance we may not come back to the point of strength we were before ITU. This is why my original plan was to drop out at ITU after 10k, depending on how close I was to the podium. My position was completely unknown to me and in seeing others brunt the heat, I decided to stay in the race. Retrospectively, we do what we do and we cant look back. Ann on the other hand, in gaining a USA Gold ITU medal ,and her top female amateur performance at ITU? It may be tough for some to justify that, over nearly missing 5th place at Kona. For me personally...ITU World Gold medal vs 5th at Kona? I would take the USA Gold from ITU each and every time. This is worth more and the memories of her great race there will not be forgotten. So, all in all, Ann had a great run this "season" which officially began last November at Clearwater, with top podium IM finish, PR's in all distances, ITU world title, and culminating to 10:43 at Kona. Again...wow.

Ann and I spent quite a bit of time after the race relaxing, drinking, eating. We spent several hours at the beach one day, out in the middle of nowhere, on the other side of a 3 mile drive through the black lava fields to get to a local beach. In the middle of the lava flats we see Macca out doing a photo shoot. I called him over, said hello, than asked him so sign our kona poster. Trust me, I have no problem asking Macca to put the finishing touches on our poster. So we have Alexander and Wellington, the Lieto Brothers, Stadler and Macca, which makes for a great memory of 2008. The beach was spectacular and we spent the day there. 4 Hours or so, then the drive back, 2-3 mph over rough pitted lava to the main road. There's Macca...still doing his photo shoot running in circles in a red shirt, running past the flash of the camera over and over again. We were stunned he was still out there, easily over 100 degrees on the lava. Yeah, he works for a living. This was one of the 3-4 sunny days we had during our stay due to the "vog" or smoke in the air blocking the sun via the new volcanic vent that opened this past spring, the smoke of which is carried along the west slope of the mountain, along the kailua-kona coast.
Another day spent cliff diving off about a 40 ft cliff with teammate Rob Williams...into deep blue water. That was cool too. Still another day, just Ann and I, kayaked along the cliffs on the southwest shore, onto a group of dolphins. We jumped into the water and both were able to swim with the dolphins. They're very curious when someone is in the water and groups would swim right up and check us out. One brushed right up against me with his belly as he (she) passed along side of me. The awards ceremony with our group, Dave Lowe, and a few new local friends, enjoying the monsoon type rain that washed out the ceremony, eventually ending it far too early...man that was funny in retrospect. The couple of nights sipping Kona Brewing Company beers with Kelly, Teresa, Jesse, Jason, Stacy and Tom, as well as my family, out on the deck...yeah, good memories this year.

A good time at Kona, and a good year.

I know of many people, athletes, friends, teammates who have yet to experience the spirit at Kona, and who strive to get there. I dont know the precise answers, and I realize there are different paths or different means to the way. I can only hope that each and every person lives their dream in getting there, and realize not everyone will achieve this goal. However, strive for what you believe in and you wont be dissatisfied at your journey.

Ann and I left something for our teammates who will someday get there. I dont know if it will last but at least know it's there and waiting for you someday. This is far more work then I imagined, with about 6 hours in the process. Ann, myself, and Jason Lester spent our final day at Kona trying to leave our message to all of you who will be on that highway someday. That road cutting through the lava fields, in the blazing sun, the headwind, and the dreamscape that kona lives for. So you'll be someday cycling near the 90 mile mark, about 800 meters past the aid station at Waikoloa, mile marker 77 on the Queen K. You'll be tired, realizing you have over 20 miles of headwind left, and starting to come to the realization, "my God...how am I going to run in this shit." That's when you look toward your right, about 150 meters into the lava, and know we've been there. We've been through what you are going through right at that moment.
We made it, and you will too. Everyone does. Never quit here.