Sunday, June 13th is RACE DAY!! You are invited...

Aloha Friends and Family!
This Sunday, June 13, is the South Maui Triathlon! This is the race for which I have been training (and you have been encouraging/supporting/helping) me for the last 12 weeks. THANK YOU!

Many of you have asked about attending race day – I really appreciate your support and hope you can come out and cheer for all of the racers on Sunday – so I have put together some information that I hope will help. For more info you can also go directly to the website at http://www.southmauitriathlon.com/.

Parking for the event is at the special events parking area – just as you turn down from Piilani Highway into Wailea, you will make the first left – the parking area is immediately on the right. I do not know if shuttles will be available, so you’ll need to plan to walk down to the hotel or have someone drop you off at the hotel and come up to park.

The race begins at 6:00 a.m. with the men’s swim wave, with the women’s swim wave following at 6:05 a.m. The swim portion is at Wailea Beach in front of the Grand Wailea Hotel. Experienced triathletes and observers say that the swim is one of the most exciting legs to watch, because you can see it all happening in one place.

Swimmers then will run from the beach to the transition area near the Wailea Marriott (the host hotel) parking area, get on their bikes and head out. The transition area is also a fun place to watch because there is a lot of action and excitement going on. I do not know exactly where the transition area will be, but I suspect it will be in the parking area to the right of the parking structure at the hotel. You can see into this area from parts of the Wailea Shops parking lot. FYI - You will not be allowed in the transition area itself.

There are a couple of areas good for watching the bike leg of the race. One is at Mulligan’s on the Blue – the restaurant opens at 8:00 for breakfast (if you know Mike O’Dwyer then you might want to call him up and ask him to open at 7:30 on Sunday to accommodate the spectator crowd!), and the outside dining area has fairly good visibility to part of the bike course (the killer hill!). You can also go back up to the special events parking and grab a lawn chair – the bikers will pass both of these locations a total of four times (it’s a 2-loop course).

Then it’s back to the transition area to drop off the bikes for the run. The run course follows Makena Road, up to part of Makena Alanui, then back down Makena Road and past Makena Landing for the turnaround – I recommend somewhere around the turnaround – you can park at Makena Landing – but watch out for runners!!

The finish line is beachfront at the Wailea Marriott – near the luau grounds. My goal is to finish the race in under four hours, so I expect to cross the finish line sometime between 9:15 and 10:00 a.m. (if you want to sleep in!).

If you have any questions or need any more info, just let me know and I’ll try to get you an answer. This is all new for me too!

HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE!

Interesting "Course" of Events

Today I ran the run course for my upcoming race. It was a beautiful morning, but still very warm (80s) and I'm glad I had my sports bottle with me. The course is a very hilly out-and-back from Wailea to Makena, mostly along the ocean. I'm hoping for some light cloud cover and ocean breezes on race day.

On the way back, I learned Lesson #1 of the morning. There was a porta-pottie at one of the parks along the route and as I approached it I found it necessary to make a stop. OMG - it must have been 130 degrees in that sweat box. Plus, I was completely sweaty and (now don't laugh!) the toilet paper I had placed on the seat practically glued itself to my legs completely negating it's intended purpose. I managed to get what I hoped was ALL of the TP off of me and continued on my way.

Lesson #1: Do not use porta-potties on race day if you absolutely don't have to.

Then I quickly learned Lesson #2. Today I ran with my iPod, which I normally don't do, but I've been having a little trouble with running motivation, so I carried on with the volume down low. I was completely in the "zone" as I ran along when another runner came up on my right and shouted a cheerful greeting. I squeaked like a scared rabbit, startling myself and him (I'm one of those people who startle easy anyway). I apologized and so did he. Turns out he was an Ironman visiting from the mainland and was out for his long run. He laughed because he said, "You definitely got an adrenalin rush out of that one because your pace picked right up!" We chit-chatted for a little bit, he wished me well on my race, and we went on our separate ways.

Lesson #2: Do not run with iPod any more!

I thought I was done with my lessons for the day, but was to quickly get Lesson #3. I finished my run at Wailea Beach where I had parked my car. I decided to grab my goggles and cap and go out to the beach for a cool down swim and practice a few entry/exits. It was a beautiful day, the water was calm, and there were only a handful of swimmers, snorkelers and SUPs out in the water. I get my gear on, make sure the coast is clear, and swim out about 50y. I pop my head up to sight and from out of nowhere this guy on an SUP appears and I take a hit to the jaw from the tip of his board. He got a serious verbal thrashing from me (because SUPs are supposed to look out for and yield to swimmers near shore) and I headed back in. When I could touch bottom I stood up and touched my lip and came away with a handful of blood - I did not realize he'd busted my lip! Thankfully, I had all my teeth, and I am VERY THANKFUL that he did not hit me in the head and it wasn't any worse.

Lesson #3: Even on a clear, uncrowded day, beware of water dangers and take a bodyguard!

I think I need a brightly colored swim cap for OWS.

Hill Sprints in Pool?

Got my butt kicked in the pool today at the end of practice. After swimming 1600m, the coach had me do 25x8 all out sprints with 10 sec rests between. My first one was 35 sec, the last one was 27. I also learned how to push off under water - much faster start!

The last couple of weeks of training went well, including a sub-2 hour ride of the race course. I was really happy because I wasn't sure I was going to be able to do that on my mountain bike, but I did, and still had plenty of gas in the "tank."

I may have the use of a road bike for the next couple of weeks, including race day. A friend has offered to lend me hers, but it's going to need new tires and a tune up - hopefully minor. Her brother who is an avid cyclist is checking it out for me. Am I being optimistic to think I can pull off riding a different bike with just 2-3 weeks of training rides prior to race day?

Running is back on track. I was having a hard time getting motivated, but I just got a Garmin 305 which, at this point in the game, I think helps keep me honest. I'm looking forward to running the race course on Saturday for my long run.

I'm also planning to spend some time open water swimming this weekend. I'm still a little anxious about the swim, so I thought I would just take my mask, snorkel and fins and cruise the "track" just to familiarize myself with the area beforehand. My first full brick is the weekend after next and I need to get more time in the water before then.

Recovery Week One

Just in case you were wondering, the training program I am following is from the book (aptly named, of course) Triathlete Magazine's Guide to Finishing Your First Triathlon. I am following the Olympic distance training program at the back of the book since the first part of the book is mostly focused on training for sprint distance tri's.

Weather has been an issue, on and off, this week. It has been rainy, windy, and COLD for Maui. I didn't get in my 20 minute run (really?!?) on Tuesday because it was pouring rain first thing in the morning. I intended to run at lunch but discovered that someone had removed my extra pair of running shoes from my truck and running around the park in my Dansko clogs was out of the question. By the time I got home it was raining again. Wimpy excuse, I know.

Despite wimping out on the run, I DID make it to the pool at 6:00 a.m. on Wednesday, which was an amazing feat considering it was 60 degrees outside, rainy and windy. The pool, however, was a lovely 81 degrees and very pleasant.

Thankfully, this morning dawned cloudy but rain-free and I had a very pleasant 45-minute ride on our highway bike path.

I'm looking forward to my swim tomorrow and riding out to Tedeschi Winery in Ulupalakua on Saturday morning. Hope the weather holds. I'm ready for summer.

A Week of Progress

My intention when starting this blog was to post every day. Ha!


My first official "complete rest" day was Monday, which was actually my second day of "rest" because I did not get my 60 minute run in on Sunday. Which brings me to this: "Plan your workouts and workout your plan."


I've discovered over the past two years that I am a morning workout person. I usually have no problem getting up and heading out while the rest of the world is still asleep and completing my training for the day, but weekends present a problem. I still get up early, but so does Bruce, and many times I am torn - a) stay at home, enjoy the paper and eat breakfast with him; or b) get my butt out on the road and do what I need to do? I need to stick with "b" if I am ever going to make this training program work.

Then I have the weather to contend with. We usually have mild temperatures and weather year round here on Maui, but this week has already been a challenge with extremely high winds and driving rain. Blustery wind and light rain I can handle, even a 30 mph tradewind headwind, but 45-60 mph dodging flying debris is not good.

So, I ended up getting in my Tuesday morning run after work. Tuesday night I loaded my bike in my truck, excited about my first brick workout this morning, only to be thwarted again by said nasty weather. I managed to eke out a swim session at the pool at lunch, but my attempts were frustrating and I bagged out after 850m. My bike is still in the car, so barring any unforeseen weather traumas, I will bike/run tomorrow morning as a "make up."

I threw myself a little pity party at the pool today, but got out with the resolve to get in the pool a little more often than called for in my training schedule so I can get this thing down!

I'm managing to get in my workouts, but I need to tighten things up. It's only going to get harder from here!

Day 3 - Bike

So happy to be back on my bike again!

My friend, Gina, rode with me this morning. We bought our bikes at the same time and have ridden quite a lot over the past several months. While she is on a different training program right now, she is happy to ride with me while my workouts stay in the sub-hour time limit, and I enjoy the company.

Today's 45 minute ride turned into 60 - we had to make a couple of stops and hoist our bikes over/around a couple gates, plus we had quite a headwind on the way back - but overall it was a great ride. It's so nice to have the sun coming up earlier in the morning now! We don't have to ride as dawn is breaking.

My bike is an '09 Trek Fuel Ex 7 mountain bike. That's right...I'm training for (and riding in!) an Olympic distance road tri on my mountain bike. No shame. It fits me great and I love riding it. I bought it with the intention of racing and riding mostly off-road. Who knows...if I truly love and get into triathlon, there might be a road bike in my future.

Day 2 - Run

Every morning I take my dog, Cody, for a walk around the neighborhood. I've done this since he was a puppy (he's now 3+) and he's at my side of the bed as soon as he hears the alarm go off. I throw on my workout clothes, grab his leash, and off we go.

We walk at a good pace, usually for about 15-20 minutes depending on our route. He enjoys getting out and I enjoy the peace and quiet, since nearly everyone in our neighborhood is still asleep. It's also a really good warm up for whatever training I have planned that morning.

Today was the first day that I hit the road instead of the treadmill. I have a lot of hills in my neighborhood and virtually no flat running routes anywhere within a 10 mile radius of my house, so it's always a workout! I was feeling a little creaky at first (it's been about a month since I ran any measurable distance), but was soon feeling my stride and before I knew it my run was done!

My lunchtime workout consisted of weightlifting and yoga...and I have REALLY MISSED MY YOGA! I'm going to have to work to regain some of the flexibility I lost in the last month, but it will be a pleasure to get back into it.