Despite two bike crashes this season resulting in more time off than I would like to admit, plus some training inconsistencies due to work & family commitments, I am super pleased with my fitness and progress in final 8 weeks leading up to Ultraman. There is still alot of huge work to do, including my biggest weeks looming on the horizon, but everything is headed in the right direction.
My training has been quite a bit different this year compared to last year. Last year was all about training the aerobic engine to ensure that I finish the big race. All relatively low intensity, long rides and runs and absolutely zero threshold work — nothing fast. This was the way to go given that I was basically coming off the couch and preparing for such an intense experience with relatively zero background in cycling and running and years of sedentary existence.
This year I have put in plenty of aerobic zone work, but also incorporated alot more intensity and tempo work, building on last year’s base to build strength, power and speed. And the difference is noticeable. I believe I would not have been able to handle this type of training last year (and would almost certainly have been overtrained or injured) but with a year of solid work under my belt I was ready to up the ante. The result has been an exponential increase in my cycling power and speed, as well as a significant reduction in my per mile pace at heart rate levels comparable to last year. Great indicators that I am poised for significant improvements over last year’s performance provided I stay healthy, avoid more bike accidents and don’t suffer any mechanical issues on the bike course. But let’s remember, it is Hawaii. A place of powerful and mystical energy. Unpredictable and unforgiving. Anything can happen. All I can do is make sure I have put in the work, am prepared for the unexpected and that my spiritual house is in order. Its paramount that I humble myself to the Island, ask permission to perform there and seek the blessings of the powerful spirits that lord over this magical place. I realize this may sound like an episode of LOST (my favorite show by the way), but I assure you that without humility, grace and permission from the Kahunas as well as alignment with the Huna traditions, the Island will bury you. Just ask Mark Allen, who will tell you that he couldn’t win Kona until he achieved proper spiritual communion with the Island.
Still don’t believe me? In a twist of high irony, at this exact moment as I am typing the above, my Ultraman buddy and Kona resident Jason Lester e-mailed me this tidbit of konwledge on the power of the Big Island:
“The Big Island is home to Madame Pele, Hawaii’s only active Volcano God. Long ago, Kahuna cursed all those who failed to honor the Aina, Hawaiian Customs and Gods of Hawaii. The spirits of thousands of Hawaiians patrol the island each night. If you visit a Heau, make sure you don’t leave anything of you on it! A hair, trash, body fluids, etc.. Nor do you take anything that you might see or find interesting, on it. That includes leaving (3) rocks stacked up on one another and draped with T-Leaves for good luck and prosperity as the word goes around. If you don’t know the chant after placing sa me, you will become cursed!!! That and the above statement, becomes the link to the Hawaiian Curse and YOU!
Locals will not tell you this, especially 100% Hawaiians. There is a way to avoid the curse, as set fort by our Great Alii, King Kamehameha One. Don’t ask me, because I won’t tell you if you don’t know! So if you’re not of the Island and 100% Hawaiian. You may consider leaving, when your visitation becomes over stayed? That’s why Aloha means both, Greetings and Good Bye, in Hawaiian to English.
Trippy right?
In any event, I just booked my flight, arriving in Kona on Nov. 2, a full 3 weeks before the race. Jason has been kind enough to open up his home for me, and we will get some good training in on the course before the race. And the big news is that my entire family will be coming out for the race this year — Tyler (14) and Trapper (13) are going to help my dad with crewing, which is going to be great. Now I just need someone who can paddle a kayak and knows how to do bike repair!
Very excited….Can’t wait to get to the Island.
Finally, I wanted to thank everyone who has e-mailed me, posted comments on my Facebook page and Twittered me — I truly appreciate all the support out there.
There have been so many inquiries about nutrition information, so I am committed to doing a better job of posting more info about my dietary regime. And as I mentioned, Julie and I are working on our eCookbook, which we hope to have ready for download purchase before Thanksgiving. More updates on that soon!
Aloha & Plant-Strong!
Rich
