Some More Kona Pics

Katie sent me a few more pictures from Kona, hopefully more will roll in throughout the days, but in the meantime here are a few more...

Before the Start

The Tension Builds and I was just to the left of the car in the water

Rolling out of T1

On the Run, about mile 10...still smiling which is a good sign

This feeling can't be explained!!

PUMPED! Cory and Katie had sweet seats too!!

A Kona Sunset

Brilliant

Hangloose...until next time

Kona - Day 4

It's time to mellow out a little bit.  Race day is getting close, and tensions are getting high here.  There are less people actually "racing" up and down Ali'i Drive and people racing are actually chilling out with their feet up.  This morning was the "Underwear Run" which takes place in Kona each and every year.  It would be worth coming back to Kona just for that.  Basically it started years ago to poke fun of the Europeans who would strut around town rockin their speedo's...

Pre "Drop Your Pants Time"

The Underwear Run Start Area

Katie, Cory, and Me getting ready to run...Bird wimped out!

Katie and I mid-"run"

 The Awesome Zoot Crew.  Seriously some of the coolest people on the island!!

Ann Wesling of "Tri-Center"...hotter than I was expecting

Team issued undies...

The "Wattie Ink" Girls

The Fix kids with the Lavato's

Well we survived the 2011 Underwear Run

Tomorrow my bike and gear get checked in...I guess this is the real deal.  Better get ready to race!!

Kona - Day 3

This town gets more crazy by the minute!  People racing up and down Alii Drive, trying to crush the bike out on the Queen K and wearing their race kits everywhere.  Today was an awesome day.  Started with a little ride out to the Energy Lab to meet up with the Zoot crew for a photo shoot.  Not that I've been to the moon, but if I had to guess the Energy Lab is what it might look like.  After the shoot I got in a little swim, the ocean was still super rough, but is supposed to clear up tomorrow so that's a definite benefit.  The rest of the day was all about getting some free stuff and chillin at the beach with Cory and Katie.

The entrance to the Energy Lab

You can't ride in there...strictly running

There was a cruise ship in town today, so things were that much more crowded

The Lapinski Kids Chillin Beachside

Me and Katie, she claims the sunscreen I got didn't work yesterday

Cory and Katie Enjoying Hawaii

Tonight the awesome Zoot crew had us over for dinner.  They have a sweet house on Ali'i Drive and hooked me up with some sweet swag.  I'm totally spoiled and the Zoot stuff is by far the coolest stuff here on the island!  Check out their limited edition Kona gear on http://www.zootsports.com/

Race day is getting closer and I can't wait to see what happens.  Thanks for all of the well wishes I do appreciate them, and I will try to reply.  Though it is EXTREMELY easy to get distracted here, so if I don't really I apologize.  Here is a shout out to the Chem/Phys classes, thanks for the comments...I'm sure I'll think of them as I'm in some major pain on Saturday!

Kona - Day 2

Day 2 in Kona is in the books.  This town seems to get more crowded by the hour.  The water this morning was much rougher than yesterday.  Bird and I went down to Dig Me Beach to get a little swim in, after a couple hundred yards he decided to head back.  I cut it short too as I didn't want to expend a ton of energy, so I swam for about 20 minutes.  Basically out to the Coffee's of Hawaii Boat and then back into shore.  On my way out of the water I saw Dirk Bockel and Tim O'Donnell getting ready to hop in. 

After our swim we hung out at Lava Java for a bit before hitting up a ride with some of the Endure It Crew in town.  On our way to meet the Endure It Crew we saw Rinny heading out for a ride, gave her a quick good luck...slightly awkward...and then went on our way.  The Queen K was crowded today and everyone here seems to be racing everywhere!  The key is to keep things in check, I think I did a pretty good job of that today, as I didn't try to chase down Chris Lieto too long when he passed me...the dude can hammer!!

Sara and I getting ready for a ride.

A sign out on the Queen K

Cory, Katie, and I sitting on the sea wall

An amazing sunset in Kona!!

Sorry it's low on pictures today.  For some reason they are taking forever to load.  Tomorrow...another day in paradise.

Kona - Day 1

Day 1 in Kona has been awesome!  We got in last night at about 7, and to our condo about 8:30 or so.  We were all starving so after walking into town and grabbing a quick bite it was off to bed.  I was hoping to sleep longer than I actually did.  I was wide awake at 3 a.m.  Cory was awake too, so at least I wasn't the only one this messed with.  Katie on the other hand was quite the opposite...we ended up waking her up while we were looking for towels.

Cory and I decided to hit up a run on Ali'i Drive right outside of our condo.  What an awesome morning to run!!

Cory lacing them up...

Amazing morning

Dude where are your sleeves?

Mid Run

Katie getting geared up for a little TRX action on the balcony...

Cory and Katie checking out the swim course

After our run it was time to head out to the swim course, I wasn't sure what to expect.  When we got there TYR was handing out goggles, so I ended up with 3 pairs.  They're sweet too...free stuff is always sweet!!  The swim was great, clear water, fish, coral...and I wasn't getting passed by people!

Dig Me Beach



After meeting up with Cory and Katie for a quick breakfast it was time to pick up my bike.  We were going to try to eat at Lava Java, but with the line out the door we decided otherwise.  We did see Norman Stadler and his German crew sitting there eating.  Talk about a baby face!!

David drove Sara and I out closer to Hawi so that we could ride up there, and then ride back.  Cory, Katie, and the rest of the Fix family then went to check out a black sand beach.  Pretty cool from what they said.  Sara and I were tossed around in the wind out near Hawi for a while, it was pretty crazy at times, but so worth doing.

Here is a video from the ride...

The rest of the day consisted of chillin at a secluded beach that David found, hitting up the grocery store and walking back to the condo.  It's about 6:30 p.m. here in Kona and there is no where else I would rather be right now.  The atmosphere is like no other I've ever experienced in triathlon!!  Amazing!!