Those first 40 miles were actually beautiful. The whole 112 miles were incredible looking. I can picture the way the sun was rising over Mauna Kea and lighting up all the women from the right. It made their bikes shimmer and sparkle. It was phenomenal. The ocean on the left and the mama mountain on the right was a sensational sight. I could smell the ocean still and see the blues and greens of the Pacific and feel the heat off the dark contrast of black and brown lava on my right.
I passed a few girls and got passed by others. I spent those first miles on the Queen K singing Moana songs. I sang I Know How it Feels to Be an Ironman (see below). I played the alphabet game with movies: About Last Night, Breakfast Club, Cinderella, Dead Poets Society, E.T. I kept an eye out for the pros. Specifically, I kept and eye out for the helicopter. I could see it tracking from Kawaihae and then down the Queen K towards me. At about mile 30ish, I could see it and hear it. I watched as it rose up and around an upcoming hill and right after that, saw Lucy Charles Barclay crest the hill right as I did. It was incredible to watch the fastest triathlete on the plane fly by. Go, Lucy, Go! I yelled. I could hear others behind me cheer her on as well. There was a motorcade around her and eventually another group of cyclists minutes behind her. This was about mile 90 for them. Only 20 miles to go! It was mile 32ish for me. Only 80 miles to go!
Sunrise on the Queen Ka’ahunumanu Hwy.
Kailua Kona in the background. Headed out to Hawi.
The view from the Queen K. On the right, you can see the part of the island that heads up to Hawi.
To the tune of I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For (U2)
I have felt 100 degreeeeees.
I have witnessed the winds and the hills.
Welcome to Ironman. Welcome to Ironman.
I have ridden in rains of a monsoon.
I have swum through a swarm of jellies.
Welcome to Ironman. Welcome to Ironman.
And I know how it feels to be an Ironman.
Yes, I know what it means to be an Ironman.