To wrap up…..
November 15th, 2007 by Sandra
Well, Kona’s already been a month ago. I’ve been meaning to write something re the race for this last month but to be honest, I could not get my head around it up till now. I’m back at home and back at work and back into normal life, or should I rather say a ‘lazy’ life. It feels very weird not to have to get up at 04h30 in the morning to train and not to have to rush home after work to train. But you all know how it feels after a race, that empty feeling.
To tell you about the race. It was the hardest thing I’ve ever done, physically as well as mentally. Physically, because I somehow managed to get sunstroke on the day on the bike and was feeling incredibly sick, nauseous and very, very weak with severe headaches under the blistering sun. Mentally, because I had the devil sitting on my shoulder constantly shouting in my ear that it would be ok to give up. Well, I didn’t give up and managed to finish the race in 12h50. But it was a very long, very hot, very humid, very windy day!
The day started very early, having to have your age written on your calf, your race number imprinted on both your arms, in big black ink block letters, so much so that I’ve been a ‘marked’ person with 1003 burnt into both my arms for this last month. Then on to the bike area, having to pump up the tyres amongst others as one couldn’t do that the previous day cause of the heat. It felt like there was so much to do, but that was only because I checked and double checked everything way too many times.
The pro’s started at 06h45. Once they were gone we got into the water. It was water treading for us age groupers till 07h00. The swim start really is wild…..a true washing machine. I’ve never been kicked and hit so much with people swimming over, under and into me.
Onto the bike. Starting with a little hill up Palani Road, then through Kona village for a few kms before you go on the Queen K Highway. That’s where my problems started. Anyhow, won’t bore you with that part, but all I can say it was the loneliest lonely I have ever felt in my entire life. Sick, miserable and the road to Hawi is not fun. Not even talking about the winds. Madame Pele ruled! I will never complain about our South Easter again!!!!!!
The first few kms of the run is along Ali’I Drive which is truly beautiful, although at that stage I’d lost complete appreciation of beauty. Then onto the Queen K again, till you reach the Natural Energy Lab. It gets dark early in Kona. By 18h00 it was pitch black dark already. No moon, no stars, no street lights on that part of the run. Very very dark with the only light being a glow stick round my neck. The best thing about the run is the chicken soup. I ran the entire marathon on chicken soup. That eventually settled my tummy.
The last kilometre of the run is absolutely amazing. Going round the last corner into Ali’i Drive, all the spectators cheering you on telling you in an American drawl you’re doing a ‘good job’ and the absolute hero’s welcome! As you cross the finish line you get a beautiful flower lei and a massive big medal. Two volunteers take care of you and treating you like the winner of the day. Unbelievable!
It’s amazing how quickly the ‘pain’ from the day disappears. All I’m remembering (and also all I ever want to remember) is running the last few hundred metres down Ali’i Drive, the crowds, Mike Reilly’s voice and yes, I am an Ironman! A dream come true!
Although I initially wanted to sell my bike as is in its bike case, it’s all back together again and I’ve even been for little rides. Can’t believe how early the sun is rising. I find it hard to be ‘lazy’ when it’s nice weather. So, I’ll see you all on the road again much sooner that I thought. But only for coffee shop rides. I’m taking a break from serious training and racing for a while.
Thanks again to each and every one of you for all the help and support over the last few months. I can not describe to you how much it meant to me and how much it is appreciated. Thank you!
