The week at Ironman Hawaii gets very busy and tempting to take part in every event!
My coach Mark Allen has us take Tuesday and Thursday as REST days but it is challenging to stay off your feet inside on the sofa. Yesterday one of my team mates joined me for a quick swim to the Kona Coffee boat to have a cup of coffee while we held onto the boat. One can not miss out on the coffee boat swim during the week on Ironman Hawaii! So much fun.
Tuesday I had a great meeting with the founder of Niupure, Todd Wanke, and the new ambassador for Nuipure (whole food supplements) as we are going to do some business together with the product on the mainland. After our Niupure meeting, we then had an exciting meeting with the race director of Lavaman Triathlon. I have been asked to speak at the new race expo for Lavaman triathlon on November 18th this year and perhaps the Lavaman held at the end of March. Niupure will be the head sponsor and Debbie Potts/Fitness Forward Studio will be leading seminars and pre-race workouts with other professionals as Chris Leito.
Tuesday evening is the opening of the race expo which starts with the kids “swim and run” race at the swim pier (see video and pictures on Facebook page) then the IM parade which finishes in front of the IM expo. Ali’i becomes the marketing boulevard with every IM related company displaying banners in their front yard and offering samples. Every company wants you to eat, drink or wear their product so they handout SWAG. Do you know what SWAG is anyways? SWAG is huge during IM week. SWAG = Stuff We All Get. After racing IM for twelve years, I finally learned what SWAG stood for.
Wednesday morning we have a swim, bike and run workout then lay low. I did get my picture taken from Triathlon Magazine as I finished my swim… it was posted on Facebook. I was not prepared for a picture to be posted around the world! Anne Wellington, the competitor magazine host, worked with me last summer for the Rock-n-Roll Seattle Triathlon (I did a pre-race seminar). Once again the activities during IM could fill your day as the expo was open early, MORE THAN SPORT was open with our friend’s company NIUPURE setting up a table. Then we had to meet Macca for autograph and pictures at the Cliff Bar house (nice new autographed MACCA bright yellow shirt!). We were going to stop by the Slow Twitch party afterwards with Muscle Milk and Cytomax but it was just getting started and home sounded more fun! Tonight was the “Aloha Party” for the VIP of Ironman …another networking opportunity. Honestly, when the sunsets after 6:30pm, hanging out in the condo and going to bed early sounds more fun. Lame I know but the race is important to me so then sleep and rest is important.
I am resting my body and mind most the day on Thursday after our annual Mark Allen Online elite team breakfast at 7am then I am open until 1pm meeting with Sports Nutritionist/Athlete/Podcaster Ben Greenfield and Todd Wanke of Niupure. Networking again! Everyone involved in the triathlon industry is here during IM week including Dan from TRX training and Shannon Day of Radar Sports (and now BUMP!).
I always wonder how other triathletes taper as I have seen people training all hours of the day. I have seen the same guy running each morning and he is moving fast plus he was second overall in the 5k race last Sunday. I guarantee you I will be passing him on Saturday during IM Hawaii! TAPER people = stay off your feet, less is more, eat right, relax and sleep more. Good night.