Tri Challenge: Working harder than ever

Finished Day 2 of training in Hawaii, and the team is looking good! But yesterday, it became obvious that we were pushing the team harder than they've ever been pushed before!

The goal: Bike 23 miles from Mauna Lani Bay to the Natural Energy Lab – the run course for the Kona Ironman Championship race – do a 2-mile run, then jump back on the bikes for another 6-mile ride into the town of Kona.

For teammate Kendrick Henley, it seemed an ambitious endeavour, but he clipped-in, and headed out.  For the Chicagoan, who was still experiencing frigid temperatures at home, it was only his fourth time on the bike. 12 miles into the race, his bike tire briefly caught the edge of the gravely lava fields, and he tumbled, sending him directly into a pile of lava rocks.  But two stitches later, he was back in good spirits, and joined us at our first early morning workout today, Day 3.

For 58-year-old teammate Nina Lovel, the long ride/run brick saw her exercising way past what she thought she was capable of. It was the longest ride she'd ever done, and on the Queen K highway – the Kona bike course – wind and heat conditions are unforgiving.

We had a few other scrapes and bruises yesterday, but ended the day on a high note, with a drive out to the picturesque Pololou Valley sea cliffs, a stroll through smally hippie town of Havi, and some authentic Hawaiian food.

All in all, day 2 was another indication of just how far our 6-pack has come in less than 3 months!  2 more days here, and 4 more months til race day, and I have no doubts that all 6 will cross the finish line.