Kona 8: Julie 0

 

8 Kona Starts
7 Finishes
#8 was my worst race.

Never make decisions about a race within 72 hours of finishing a race, but let's just say I'm pretty f'ing firm on this one, 24 hours post-race and still 5 days post-race.

I am not racing here anytime soon.

What I did to prepare:

•  Consistently reworking my nutrition and hydration plan to deal with my 72oz per hour fluid loss and 2200mg of sodium. Extensive heat testing to learn my body is not made for heat. 
• Trained my ass off
• 0 Alchohol since 8/24
• Passed on many social events/travel to train and get ready 
• Managed sleep, recovery, weekly ART
• Arrived 2 weeks early to heat acclimate 

What more could I have done:

• Lived here 2 months
• Trained in a bathroom with a heater and humidifier in my aero bars

Race week in Kona is my favorite. So many friends from all over whom I only see in Kona; the vibe is indescribable; there is a pulse in the town. Hanging with athletes and friends and meeting new friends makes Kona, Kona.  

Race Day, I was calm and ready to do the best I could do. I knew that if I could nail my nutrition and keep the fluids in my body, I was set up for a great day!

SWIM:  1:02:08, my slowest swim in Kona ever. Swims were notably slower this year, but the kick in the ribs from the previous Sunday reared its head at the turn buoy, and I struggled to take deep breaths and adequately use my right arm during the 2nd 1/2 of the swim.   It was painful, but I knew it would be okay on the bike and running.

📷by Donald Miralle

BIKE:  5:50:08, I had a solid bike until mile 70; the fuel going in as planned, feeling good, the watts were good, and my attitude was good  Around 70, I got really uncomfortable, arms fatigued, my back and neck, struggled to stay aero  Every time I sat up I saw my speed drop and the chimp brain started to creep in, why I am weak and cannot remain aero ,,,, I nipped that pretty quickly and got refocused  Clicking off miles to 90. I had the first burp that I was afraid to trust; my stomach was not super happy  I spit up a bit soon after that. Around 100, a whole lot of fluid came up. I was hot and not feeling well, and my power dropped significantly. My HR was too high and had been since returning from Havi. I was past the last aid station, my bottles were hot, and I was not feeling good.   I worked my way back, trying to not focus on "how the F am I going to run."

T2: No bike catchers, so I hopped off, and that long transition around the pier was rough; I was not feeling good, my legs here cramping, and I was so hot. Into T2, no volunteers, and I sat down, put my head between my knee,s and was in tears; how the F was I going to do this? A volunteer appeared with a cold towel, and I began to get ready; nearly 10 min later, gulp, I headed out feeling dizzy.

Run:  I quickly moved to 1 mile at a time and shuffled along  1.6 miles later, 1st the aid station, I grabbed ice water and drank it, and immediately puked it up, I tried sipping on my hydration vest, and it came right up  With a massive headache and feeling dizzy I know I was dehydrated but could not get anything down  The next 5 miles was shuffles, try and drink, puke, try a gel, puke.   I gave up on fuel, my HR was high, and my head pounding, but I was tired of puking.   Alex, my athlete, came along asking how I was puke, and she walked a bit with me. She had one goal of finishing her first Kona and hung with me walking/puking/running to the next aid station. I kept trying new items to see if I could keep anything down. Around mile 11, I ate a bit of a fig bar, and it tasted reasonably good. I stayed down. I kept nibbling on that and could feel myself turning around.   I was able to run a bit, and then Alex was sick; at that point, any hope of a decent race was gone, so we stuck together as she puked and struggled.   It was a LONG time out there, and it was dark, but we slowly got across the finish line.

If you had told me 1 week ago I would cross the finish line hand in hand over 12 hours and be happy, I would have punched you in the face.   I was pleased, and sometimes, you must readjust and reassess in a race and set a new goal.

Am I disappointed? Of course. Am I upset? No, this IS KONA. It chews up and spits out the best. 

I was thrilled the Giardia finally left my body when I landed in Kona. After living on 2 Immodium + 4 Pepto + every day for over a month, I was VERY relieved! 

Kona is about perseverance, not giving up, and continuing to fight to finish. There is one thing I can do, s roll along and suffer.  

I left the Island in peace without regrets, with new friends and appreciation for everyone in my life, and I am eager for the off-season.

John was excellent as usual on the course, my #1 fan and supporter.  The NYX Sherpas were all over and so inspiring when things were dark and horrible. My coach Marilyn had COVID and missed the trip, but I appreciate all she has done to get me fit and ready.   Sharing the course with my athletes and the other NYXers made the day! Hillary, Cam, Molly, Kristin..San Diego, love on the course, thank you!