Kona Camp 2013 - Part 2

Ok, let's wrap up camp...if you missed part 1, here it is...Part 1...

Sunday - Long Bike IM course to Hawi and back

A couple of us rented bikes for camp.  Super easy.  Big props to Kona Bike Works for getting us set up in record time.  'Murdock' was my Cannondale Slice for the week.

The ironman course is tough.  Well of course it should be, it's the world champs, right?  The ride started out really well, I was having a blast!  We rode as a group taking turns riding with coach.  I felt GREAT!  I asked for the most brutal weather so I would have an idea of what could be in store come Oct. (it was actually pretty nice to us).  Here's a hint for anyone riding long (whether you're in Hawaii or Kansas) don't forget your nutrition, i.e. quit yapping and eat!.  By the time we got to Hawi (the turnaround 1/2 way mark) I was toast.  Completely defeated.  It just wasn't my day.  I learned a lot of lessons on the way home.  I made some good friends who lifted me up on the way home too.  A big thank you to those who listened to me in my lowest time (s).  Just a couple of the thoughts going through my head for 56 miles back to the house...I don't belong here, I don't deserve to come back in Oct., I should be riding with the girls up front, I am the weakest athlete, etc. etc. etc.  Purely depressing.  How could I let my mind wander that deep when I am in freaking Hawaii!??!?!  What the F was wrong with me.  Ugh, I am so frustrated I let my thoughts go in that direction.  Blah, whatever, I got my ass handed to me and I now have a huge RESPECT for the course.  Either way, I now know what's in store come October 12, and that's a beautiful thing.

View from bike, stunning!

I got out of my funk with the help of a good T-run off the bike.  JUST RUN IT OUT!  I ran through the tears, the heat and the hurt.  It was perfect.  Krista and Shane ran the same route and we met at the water fountain and outdoor beach SHOWER.

Krista and I during our T-run.

After all this fun, Pam and I had scheduled a private swim lesson with the great Karlyn Pipes!  Awesome session, although now I have 6 weeks to implement new swim techniques! 

Pam getting her lesson with Karlyn!

Monday - Bike hill repeats/run and the SOCIAL RIDE

Michelle had scoped out a 'special' hill for us to ride hill repeats!  This session's goal was to purely build strength in the legs.  Easy breezy.  Today I felt like a new person.  GRRRRRR 8 times up the hill!

Coach giving hill repeat instruction/goal of session

Run of the bike was spent with Michelle :)  I loved having some one-on-one time with her to pick her brain.  She has so much knowledge of this sport (and now of me as well) so her insight is invaluable.  Thanks Coach!

We were able to catch a quick nap before our social ride Monday afternoon.  We need some motivation to get back on the bikes so Moana (Michelle's daughter) was there to provide us with some cheers.  Thank goodness we had that...we had no idea what was in store ;)

Our 2.5 hour coffee/social ride turned into a 3+ hour 3k climbing with some rain/rush hour traffic and a closed coffee shop!  Ha!  Some of us turned HANGRY.  I'm not naming names on the blog.

Lynsey was happy to have found an open coffee shop!

3 - 2 - 1 and the sun has set

Tues - LAST DAY OF CAMP :(

Tues was our big run day.  We started out with a 5 mile 'warmup' before our last OWS on the IM course.  It was supposed to be a fun swim, look for dolphins, honu, etc.  I swam with my swim crew, Krista, Kimberly & Shane.  We took some super fun video with the LaPan's GoPro....I wonder where that footage is??? :)  Getting out of the water and we saw a honu (turtle)!!!!  I am in love with these guys and was super excited to get to see one in Hawaii...finally!!!

After the swim, it was run time again!  15 miles til the end of camp...sigh.  I had a good run.  I decided not to beat myself up and start any negative talk with myself so I didn't focus on pace but instead focused on HAVING SOME FUN!  I'll have enough runs coming up to stress about pace.  Here are some views from my run.

I am an awesome photographer, no?

I think I found my calling

Of course we had one more opportunity to run up the 'pit'...Tiffany is rockin up it!!!

After the run, we had our last lunch all together before we headed our separate ways. What a week, what a group...there were some lifetime memories made this week. 

Cheers!

Don't forget this face...she's a CHAMP!

Downstairs girls exploring downtown Kona

funny if you're a 16 yo, or a railroader...

I cannot express my thanks and love to my coach and teammates for pushing me further than I thought was possible, lifting me up when I was down...mahalo for all the laughs, hats, beers, bugs, sweat and tears. Until next time!