update from K Town!

Cait Snow, me, Kelly Williamson. I have so many amazing pics to share but this will have to do for now! Preview of more awesomeness to come!

One thing I always wanted to know is what is it really like in Kona?

Well, frankly, its nuts. Its like one massive event with so many parties and occasions, people to meet, workouts to do. Sometimes its hard to believe at the end of this week I have an ironman to do! I've been balancing having fun and really taking this experience in while still trying to stay away from the hype a bit. It really does get crazy overwhelming in town during the day and it gets super hot!

I think the highlight of this whole experience so far really is the people you get to meet. I'm so so grateful that I started this blog and got on twitter, its connected me with some truly amazing people. Getting to hang out and workout with them pre ironman has been the highlight of my time here in Kona. Kind of feels like I'd like to prolong race day to keep enjoying all the festivities! But sometime in the next few days I need to find my exit strategy and just find some peaceful time to myself to really appreciate the enormity of racing here in Kona. I need some me time with the island away from the hype and away from family to get a sense of peace and to get a vibe from the ocean and the land here. That's what I'm craving most not just to get my race mindset going but also to really experience the big island.

Today I finally got to do the long awaited floating espresso bar in the ocena and it was as awesome as I had always dreamed. We even swam with a turtle on the way out and he was huge. Despite the rolling swell that has riled up the seas, he was calm as ever getting his gasps of air right on the surface next to us. I've seen, talked to and met so many pros, I've started to lose count of them all and the shock of seeing all the pros you always dream of meeting on a regular basis is beginning to wear off. I've eaten at least 50% of my meals at lava java, taking in the sea breeze and watching some good surf while enjoying the best coffee I've ever tasted along with a very yummy number of foods. I've ridden the queen k, run the energy lab and swam at dig me. We ventured out to Hawi and experienced the winds (they are seriously NUTS). I've gone to the slowtwitch party, registered for the race and been to every booth in the ironman village. I even gotten a replica of my lucky race hat which I lost over the summer (thanks tribike transport!). I've seen every new fangled model of bike, shoe, kit and gear possible and had so many freebies tossed my way (seriously, I've never been handed so much free schwag and even if it isn't handed to you, ask and you shall receive!) Its really pretty surreal and I'm just so grateful to be here among the world's finest athletes.

But as much as I feel a part of it all, I feel different too. I'm still feeling 100% confident about this being my one and only kona (that is, until I'm that awesome 80 year old grandma doing it in style!). This truly does feel once in a lifetime and I feel very satisfied with not having a race plan or schedule next year. Next year is about Neil and I, about living life, about setting new goals, about redefining me. But I sure as hell will miss this party and the incredible friendships it has brought!!!

48ish hours until the race of a lifetime and I can't wait. There's a lot of mental work to be done between now and then to get focused on the race amidst all this fun! One last tradition before focus time: the underpants run awaits in the morning. I'm ready to have complete ab envy :)