Kona 2015

I am back from an awesome 2 week racecation, and feel rejuvenated and relaxed. What an experience to say the least, I was truly humbled by the oppressive heat of the big island. Crystal was a trooper dealing with me and the extremely long traveling days. I am so thankful that my Mom and Dad where able to come to Colorado and dog sit while we were on this adventure. Also I am so grateful for everyone that followed me and sent me positive vibes on race day, it was overwhelming with all the messages, posts, and comments.

The days leading up to us leaving seemed kind of hectic, as I went to check into our flight, it came up as an error and that I needed to contact the airline, so I did and they said I need to contact my travel agent...well turns out our flights no longer existed and I was off and on the phone for several hours trying to figure it out. After being on hold for over an hour we got if all lined up but it was the dumbest travel day ever. I was still on the phone with the travel agent as I met Crystal at our first Ultrasound appointment to check out the baby....It still didn't feel real but the tech showed us the tiny toy soldier size baby squirming around and listening to its hear beat it was like BAM! There is a human inside Crystal, absolutely unbelievable! We never thought we would have kids but about 6 months ago we were talking and decided to try with no pressure and if it happens it happens. Well she was off birth control for 3 weeks and here we are, we really were not expecting this to happen so fast, in disbelief and shock but also exciting! Game Changer!!!!

Underpants Run with Brent

Wall of Fame

The next morning we left Denver at 7am, flied to Minneapolis, flied to L.A., then finally to Hawaii. We landed at KOA at 8 pm (midnight Colorado time), and we were smoked!! Picked up a sweet rental car a Badass Mini Van!!! Maybe a premonition to the future! As we drove through Kona it felt surreal to be on the Queen K, Palani Hill, and turning down Ali'i Drive I have thought about all these roads hundreds of times and to be there was crazy! Our condo was pretty sweet small studio with a full kitchen and a balcony overlooking the famous Ali'i Drive and the Ocean. We crashed out around 11pm, I was signed up and wanted to do the Underpants Run http://www.underpantsrun.org/ but thought I would be to tired so I told myself sleep in, go for a swim, grab your bike get checked in for the race and then do a little spin.

Well I was wide awake at 6 am, I could feel the energy of the island with all the elite athletes there and decided to head down to the King Kamehameha Hotel in my underoos, Crystal dropped me off and went to the grocery store to stack our kitchen with the normal healthy food I have been eating. I ran into another Norther Colorado guy Brent Phinney, we B.S.'ed for a bit and went out for the casual non competitive jog in our nut cutters. Good times, Brent absolutely crushed the race on Saturday I had nothing for him and he tore it up! Congrats again man!

Dig Me Beach

After the run I met up with Derek Tidd and we went for a nice mile swim at Dig me Beach on the swim course. I love swimming in the ocean and being able to see fish and other things in the ocean while I taste the salt water and feel the waves it is awesome!!! We washed the salt water off and I pulled what Crystal refers to as a Classic Matt or CM. I smacked my head on the shower head and scrapped the crap out of it, I was bleeding a bit but nothing serious just annoying. Next I headed to check in and pick up my packet for the race, they gave out sweet backpacks and some other swag. It was nice having Derek there with me taking pics and helping me really take everything in. One thing I forgot to mention is how bloody HOT it was, my god I knew it was hot and humid there but Jesus it was nasty just walking around! My next stop was to Tri Bike Transport to pick up Walter White, I haven't seen her in several weeks and was really missing straddling her. (I know Walter is a dudes name but my bike is a female and she doesn't mind labels.) Derek and I cruised back to the condo, I got my cycling kit on and headed out for an easy hour spin, I ended up riding out to the Airport and back, nothing crazy just getting my legs loose. I noticed that my HR was higher than it should be but figured it was from a long travel day and the humid heat, no worries. Next shower big healthy meal and chill.

Friday we hit the swim course again this time we picked up Rachael Norfleet, a Kansas City stud chick who won her age division in Boulder and punched her ticket to the big show. We only swam for about 15 minutes and then went back to the Condo so I could get my stead ready for tomorrow. Crystal and Derek went down Ali'i Drive to grab some grub and check out the little touristy area. This was nice because it gave me time to relax, get my bike prepped, and think about everything. Derek and I went down to Transition to drop of my bike and bike and run bags. Ironman is a complicated beast having to drop off everything you need for your bike and run the day prior. Walking into the transition area was pretty unbelievable it was like walking through a gauntlet of bike manufactures checking everyone's bike make, model, and where they are from. I was able to snag a sweet BMC shirt for Crystal, after talking to a Swiss guy from BMC. Another cool thing about this race was how the volunteers were 1 on 1, after getting your bike photographed a volunteer would personally escort you to your bike rack, go over how the maze of bikes, changing tents, and bag pick up works, and answer any questions you have. It was a very cool experience, my volunteer was from Boulder and I got her to snap some pics as I set my bike up. After that it was back to the condo to eat, chill, and relax.

Before I knew it the alarm was going off and it was time to get to work. Usually race mornings I am all over the place nervous and in and out of the bathroom, I had this kind of calm nervousness I felt so grateful and lucky just to be racing today that all I had to do is swim, bike, and run. Crystal dropped me off as close to the start as she could, I gave her a quick kiss, however if I known I wouldn't see her until the end I would of definitely gave her a huge hug and a long kiss! I told her I would see her down at the start line..I was wrong, it was chaos down there. I went through the body marking tent and felt like I was in a dream, after getting my Tri Tattoos I began the walk over to Transition and get my bike squared away. A tall blonde British man bumped into me and apologized, it was Gordan Ramsey, no joke! I asked him if he was nervous and he said "let's get this first bit over with." I wished him good luck and walking next to him was Rudy himself Sean Astin. I laughed to myself and all I could think of was his character in 50 first dates and the fat little Hobbit. Good stuff. Getting my nutrition on my bike and getting the tires pumped up I was out of transition and looking for Crystal. I walked around the finish line for about 15 minutes with no avail there were thousands of people and I figured there was no way I would find her...bummer. After dropping my morning clothes bag off I headed to the swim start, walking down the stairs into the water was unreal hundreds of spectators lined the wall off the shore and the energy was very intense.

My swim start strategy was left of the mid line  a few rows back, I am not a strong swimmer and knew it was going to be a fight no matter where I started. Coach Eric Neilsen suggested that is where I start and to work my way over to the buoys from there. Treading water what seemed like eternity and banging into dudes left and right, the cannon fired and my race had began! The first 100 yards I was thinking this isn't to bad, then BAM, BAM, BAM pinball machine elbows, feet, and fist started coming from all directions. I kept telling myself stay calm keep stroking and go with the flow, don't fight back just take it as it comes and try to get space where I could. About halfway through I felt a what seemed like a knife on my back, I'm assuming it was some foreigners long gross finger nail the digged into my back. I though for sure I was bleeding because the salt water started to burn in that area, no worries keep going each stroke got me closer to the pier. At the halfway turn around boat I felt good, and felt as I was swimming faster than I thought I would after making the turn I told myself you will be out in thirty minutes just keep the pace. Throughout the swim it was a consistent amount of off and on bump and grind there would be sections of getting hammered from all directions, trying to draft, and getting swam over. As I approached the pier and saw the massive Gatorade bottle marking the end of the dock, relief and excitement hit and I couldn't wait to get on my bike. I picked the effort up but the last 500 meters felt as it took forever, finally my hands hit the sand and I leaped up, disappointment hit as soon as I looked at my watch 1:11... the same as in Boulder, I swear I was swimming much faster!! No worries the swim is done now focus on a quick transition and not forgetting sunscreen!

Running up the stairs and through the showers to rinse the salt water off it was crazy with racers all over the place, the changing tent was packed and hotter then a tea kettle, absolutely no chairs to sit so I plopped on the ground put my cycling shoes on threw my jersey on and a thick coat of sunscreen I was off and running to my bike. Helmet and shades on and I was out of transition! Getting to the mount line there were several dudes who ate crap and it was like frogger trying to dodge the athletes sprawled all over the ground. Getting settled on the bike was rather hard for the first 6 miles it is kind of tight with lots of cyclist smashing trying to get going. I stayed relaxed and was able to eat a cliff bar and a large amount of my strawberry flavored ensure plus. Before I knew it I was on the Queen K!! I settled into a smooth pace with a strong cadence, thanks to some advice from friends that have raced here I loaded up with 2 waters at every aid station.

Grinding on Queen K

One to drink and one to squirt all over my kit and body to keep my body temp as low as possible. It wasn't to hot yet but wanted to be as cool as possible. As we kept grinding down the Queen K large draft packs would blow by me and I shook my head because within the next mile they all got drafting penalties and I smoked back by them as they were in the penalty tent. I yoyoed back and forth with several guys before making the turn at Kawaihae, I have always heard about the climb to Hawi and the nasty head wind that hits right on the nose. I felt strong and next thing I know it began pouring rain with a strong head wind, I was loving it! The rain was pelting me pretty hard but I was already soaking wet from pouring water all over me and it actually felt really good and helped cool me down. The climb to Hawi wasn't what I would consider tough by any means, living in Colorado I am fortunate to climb mountains!!! It is a 7 mile gradual stair step climb of a little over 500 feet. I think I only came out of the big ring once for a quick burst and that is it. Coming into Hawi I got a surge of energy from the crowds that were at the turn around corner, I yelled "YEAH BABY HAWI!!!!" and the spectators cheered louder it was an awesome experience and I felt ready to smash the back half of the bike.

Signing a poster at a local shop

I grabbed a RedBull at the aid station and slammed it down. It was still raining pretty hard but I put my head down and began to smash down hill! I clicked off a 5 mile segment in 8 minutes which is faster than I thought I was going I was blowing by guys who were probably timid descending in the rain at a high rate of speed, I love that kind of stuff and am not scared to push the pace in those kind of situations. The climb out of Kawaihae was longer than I thought, and the cooling rain was a distant memory the oven was on! I heard that bike race doesn't start until mile 80, I felt good as I hit the 80 mile marker, and was on track to be sub 5 hours which is what I wanted. But then the wind picked up and it got hot, I was watching my speed drop as my effort was going up, very disheartening. I kept grinding but was only getting slower, I told myself just relax and keep a strong cadence. After a tough 25 miles I was at the airport and had 7 miles to go. I finished my bottles and jumped off my bike into transition. T2 was not as congested and I was able to sit in a chair get my running shoes on grab my fuel belt and I was out of there.

Mission Complete

Waving at Crystal

As I began to run, my feet were on fire and the bottoms of them felt as if I had blisters starting to form...not good!!! I told myself that was impossible and to just relax and get my body loose. I had broken the run into 4 parts. Mile 1-10 on Ali'i Drive, 5 miles down 5 miles back. 11-16 Palani Hill than Queen K to Energy Lab. 17-20 Energy Lab. 21-26.2 Queen K to Finish. Well my plans really didn't pan out how I had imaged them. The first several miles I felt good low heart rate and smooth stride. I saw Crystal sitting in front of the condo at mile 3 it was a good boost of energy. The turn around on Ali'i seemed to take forever and when I came back around at mile 7 I ran over and stole a kiss from Crystal, another nice boost...I wish I could of done that every mile after that. Running around the Hot corner the crowds were huge! I feed off them and cruised up Palani Hill, it was much steeper than it looks and my HR went up really high even though I was basically crawling up it! The turn on to the Queen K was a mind melter...the Heat coming off the asphalt was 120 degrees with the sun scorching down, no clouds in sight, black lava fields as far as the eye could see, and the wind seemed to die down I felt as though I was getting cooked. There wasn't enough ice that I could jam down my jersey to cool myself and I could feel it melting within seconds. My nutrition was going really well but my stomach started to get angry, maybe it was because of the heat and humidity but I had to hit the johnny on the spot around mile 14-15. After sitting in the hot box for way to long I felt surprisingly good and got back into pace then I noticed that my salt tabs where gone...Damn...that sucks...next thing I notice my HR monitor is not working...I tried to shrug both off and take in salt at each aid station.

Manta Ray Snorkel

Grabbing a Kiss mid Run!

My pace was pathetic and I could not get my legs moving, every time I felt like I was rallying and getting back into the groove it lasted only a few minutes here and there and I was back to what felt like shuffling on the searing hot black top. When I got to the energy lab, a down and back jaunt off the Queen K marked by mega solar panels, I was relieved for a brief moment that I was getting closer to the finish line, only a mere 10 miles or so left...ugh my brain didn't like the positivity I was trying to induce. I made it out of the Energy Lab but the damage was done I was broken mentally and physically my legs where screaming in pain and I had over 6 miles to go. I kept grinding trying to snap some positive thoughts in my head, my twin nephews made a video for me I tried to recall the happiness of them and the pain was over powering everything I was throwing at it. Derek was on his POS moped cruising up and down the Queen K, he caught up to me and tried to get me moving, I wasn't walking but I wouldn't classify it as a run either, more like a character shuffling on the Walking Dead. I can not put into words how humbling this run was, and how taxing it was on me mentally, I have never ever been so messed up mentally or physically the island was showing me how powerful it was and that no matter how fit or prepared I was it was going to beat me down and beat me down hard. The last several miles were a blur as my legs were wrecked, running down Palani Hill was like torture, every step send shock waves of pain from my toes to my butt. As I turned down Ali'i drive to the finish chute I was in agony, trying to soak up all the energy and slap as many hands as I could muster. My legs were done, I honestly don't think I could have ran another 1/4 mile...absolutely smoked, cooked, and beaten to a pulp...The finish line was amazing and all I wanted to do was cross it and give Crystal a hug and lay down.

GLORY!

Destroyed

Moments after being assisted by a volunteer and receiving the mega finishers medal I took my shoes off and my feet hurt so bad, still no sign of Crystal I grabbed some food and my morning clothes bag and I was off to find my best friend. Luckily she was right around the corner, best hug I've ever got, we went inside the King Kamehameha Hotel lobby, finally sat down...smoked beyond comprehension. I was shocked to see all the love on Facebook, text messages, and phone calls I appreciate everyone that thought about me that day. The Ironman World Championships is no joke and beat me down hard, Crystal quoted me after the race saying "I will never do that race again." However, that was 2 weeks ago and I will definitely try to go back and take what I learned and tackle this again.

Surfing

Typical face when she is around me!

The rest of the Vacation was bad ass!!! It was like having a teenage son, staying with us for the next couple days, Thanks Derek!!!! After we dropped Derek off our real vacation started. We toured the island saw the volcano in the day and at night. We snorkeled some of the most beautiful places on earth, swam at night with the manta rays, ate a crap ton of fried fish, toured a coffee farm, and chilled out on the beach everyday it was magical and I wouldn't have wanted to do it with anybody else. My favorite day in Hawaii was by far the day I went surfing with these badass guys named Dom, and Austin. When you picture a Hawaiian surf dude these are the epitome of what you think of. I caught my very first wave that I tried for, it was a blast I wish I would have went everyday. That night Crystal and went to a Luau and ate awesome food and got to see some super sweet Hawaiian dancers. Before we knew it our 2 weeks was up and back to reality, but its all good it was by far the best trip I have ever had and can't wait to go back, but as a party of 3 instead of 2!!!!

Put the US of the baby on my bike!

To my wife, Crystal. Thank you for being my rock, I know I'm not easy to deal with. You give me courage, love, and enthusiasm to achieve great things and continue to live my dreams. When everything feels like its falling apart and my mind is a million miles away you are the glue that holds us together and brings me back to reality. Who knows what the future will hold but we are going to be parents in 6 months which is going to be crazy in a whole another way!!!

At Luau