Kona Camp Wrap Up

Except for a few team members that have stuck around Hawaii for a little more of a vacation, the rest of us have made it back to Victoria safely. The camp was a huge success and would not have been possible were it not for the following people and sponsors;

Rachel for taking care of so much of the organizing details before the camp.
Michael Brewer for making the long trek from Ohio and taking care of the little details that I often miss and making a fantastic DVD during the camp.
Team members Eileen, Luke and Marty who despite having to suspend some of their training due to nagging injuries were there for us every day in a supporting (often comedic) role.
Support crew and significant others (Ed, Carmen, Gina, Helen) for running awesome support.
Fantastic support from our sponsors; PowerBar, Greenhouse Aquatics, Rider's Cycles.

Unfortunately, I came down with a flu bug that knocked me out of training for the last few days but it allowed me to sit in the support van and see just how great everyone was looking in the final couple days of the camp. Something that would not have been possible were everyone not training as a TEAM.

Monday Morning Inspiration (on Wednesday this time)

The kid that got me to take the sport seriously!

Making Plans

Today is a rest day here at the camp for most (and they deserve it). A few of us are going to jump on the bikes and head into town to do one of the tougher climbs on this side of the Island. I have never done this climb, but I have heard it is extremely tough. We shall see.

Yesterday was a relatively easy day. We met up early and travelled into Kona for a swim on the Ironman course. We had a couple of kayaks out there with us, but that didn't lessen the anxiety that many people were feeling going out into the open ocean. Everyone overcame their fears and had a great swim. After the swim we put on our running gear and ran up to the Queen K highway and covered the last couple miles of the Ironman Course. Running these last miles is always a thrill, running them on race day is what I train for. I think a few people now have added incentive.

Last night we had an evening out at the Kona Brewing Company. It was here that I decided to let the team know that I would be racing with them at Ironman Couer D'Alene. I have been trying to keep from making any race plans since the knee flared up in January, but after a week of solid training I came to the conclusion that I am ready and it is time to start making some concrete racing plans for the season. So as it stands now, I will do a short tune up race in Delta (pool swim, sprint race) in April, The Gulf Coast Half in May and then Couer D'Alene in June.

Here are some pictures from yesterday.

HPR Kona Camp

More pictures from the camp!

Monday Morning Inspiration (On Tuesday)

Sunday Run - Alii Drive

More Pictures from our Sunday Run along Alii Drive. It was HOT!

Living the Dream

Living the Dream! That seems to be the theme of this camp.

There really is nothing better than hanging out with your friends in one of the most beautiful places in the world and doing what you love to do. So far the camp has been great and everyone has done extremely well. Yesterday we rode from Waikoloa up to Hawi and back and it was easily the best conditions I have ever seen on that stretch of road. No wind and cloudy for most of the ride. Perfect! This morning we are heading into Kona for a run workout in the Energy Lab followed by an easy swim in the Kona Pool. Here are a few pictures from the last couple of days.

Monday Morning Inspiration 2

REST! (RESET)

As a coach I am often telling athletes to take the time to rest and let injuries heal before getting back into training. It is easy advice to give. This latest bout of knee trouble has reminded me of how hard it is to take the advice. My left knee has been a bother for over a month now. I remember the exact moment when it happened and since that time I have been getting it worked on and doing all of the things that have brought it back to 100% in the past, everything except taking some complete time off. Well, I have hit that point. I am taking my own advice and giving the knee a couple full days of rest. One of the things that allowed me to have a good year in 07 was the ability to go injury free for a long period of time. I was able to back up training block after training block. This is the key to training and improved performance. However, when you do come up against health hurdles it is imperative to take whatever measures are needed to get yourself back to the point where you can start putting those solid weeks of training together again. Going at things when you are at 70% is not the recipe for success.

Anyhow, it seems my training this year has consisted of a number of stutter starts . I am still fairly fit, but fitness without health is not extremely useful. I am off to Kona next week for a training camp with HPR and I am hoping that I am at a point where I am officially kicking off the start of my focussed training season. In the end, I think this may all be a good thing. It has reminded me that I am not bulletproof when it comes to injuries and with the big race of the season still 9 months away I will be ready when it counts.

Monday Morning Inspiration

Hawaii Weather Update