Travel to Honolulu and Race Logistics This unique race spans across Oahu, starting at Alamoana Beach Park and finishing at Aikahi Elementary School in Kailua. Participants typically fly into Honolulu International Airport and can choose accommodations in Honolulu, Waikiki, or Kailua. On race morning, there are no shuttles to the beach park, but ample parking is available, unlike previous years when passes were required.

Pre-Race Activities The pre-race setup was straightforward. Packet pickup took place at BOCA Hawaii, with athlete briefings provided. Parking at BOCA is limited, so arriving early is recommended. Notably, participants had to submit their run bags during packet pickup due to the two-transition nature of the race.

Race Morning Experience The morning focused on the bike ride over the H3 Freeway. The transition area, located a 10-minute walk from parking, lacked clear signage, typical for a local race. After setting up and a quick swim to warm up, I unfortunately hit my foot on the coral reef, a downside of the new race start location.

Swim Start The race began with a water start. The swim course was slightly longer than planned, but overall, I was content with my performance despite the rocky start.

The Bike Segment The bike route was enjoyable and challenging, with a mix of flat sections and a climb up the mountain. Despite potholes on the road, the experience was exhilarating, especially with the downhill segments. I managed to catch up with several competitors, exiting the bike segment in a good position.

Transition Challenges A minor hiccup occurred in transition due to a tightly tied run bag, costing me some time.

Running to the Finish The run, my strongest segment, started with some cramps, but I persevered. I managed to overtake several competitors, finishing the run in 5th place. The encouragement I offered to other runners was a highlight of my experience.

Post-Race Reflections At the finish line, it was a pleasant surprise to be greeted by Janell with my medal. Post-race, we enjoyed local snacks and awaited the award ceremony. The race offers shuttle services for participants and their bikes back to the start line.

Overall Impressions I found the Race to Base triathlon to be a fun and unique local event with ample support and a course that never feels overcrowded. My performance improved significantly compared to two years ago, showing progress in my fitness. I hope this race continues for its great cause and unique experience.

The post Race To The Base H3 Olympic Triathlon Race Report 2019 appeared first on Aj in the Life.

This year, we decided to visit the place where it all began, Disneyland in
Anaheim California.

Disneyland is personally our favorite park.
It is the original, Walt‚’s
park.
There is just something special and charming about Disneyland.
Just
like last year, we decided to go during the holidays.

This year, the Holidays at the Disneyland Resort run from November 9, 2018-
January 6, 2019.
We went during the first weekend, and had a blast!
The Food
Disneyland Resort went all out with their special holiday food and even
prepared a Foodie Guide to 2018 Holidays at Disney Resort! I couldn‚’t believe my eyes when I saw all the options the resort was
offering in 2018.
They also have the Festival of Holidays at Disney
California Adventure and prepared yet another Foodie Guide to 2018 Festival of Holidays.
There was honestly no way for us to eat everything in two days, so we
just enjoyed a few.
Here‚’s a list of what we had:
Disneyland Park
Peppermint Holiday Sundae at Gibson Girl Ice Cream ParlorGingerbread Creme Brulee at Blue BayouChurro with crushed pretzel and peppermint at the churro cart near Big
Thunder MountainCandy Cane Beignets – Mint Julep BarLumps of Coal Beignets – Cafe Orleans
California Adventure
Peppermint Churro at the churro cart near the Redwood Creek Trail
Festival of Holidays
Reuben Potato Tots with Russian Dressing and Rye Toast at Favorite Things
Our ultimate favorites that we would definitely eat again are the
peppermint holiday sundae, gingerbread creme brulee, candy cane beignets,
and the peppermint churro.

The Decor
I‚’ve said it before and I‚’ll say it again‚Äö√Ѭ∂holidays plus Disney is the best
combination.
We simply can‚’t get enough.

I wish we had more time to take it all in.
Disney does it best! I mean just
look at how magical the castle and it‚’s a small world look.
The rest of the
park is decked out too!
If you can, try to visit the parks during the holiday season.
It can get
really crowded, but if you utilize MaxPass and take some time to relax or sit down for a meal, the crowds don‚’t seem
too bad.
Trust us, you won‚’t regret it!
I‚’ll do another post in the coming weeks that shows everything we did eachday! There‚’s simply nothing like walking down Main Street USA toward Sleeping
Beauty Castle during the holidays.
It might even snow on you!

The post Holidays At The Disneyland Resort 2018 appeared first on Aj in the Life.

Festive Preparations at Home At home, the Christmas tree is up, and I’ve noticed my pawrents bringing home intriguing boxes and packages. Naturally, I assume they’re filled with treats for me, their spoiled princess. I’ve been nosily investigating because, after all, Christmas is nearing!

Last Year’s Christmas Memories In anticipation of the upcoming celebrations, let me share what I got last Christmas. There was an attempt to dress me up as a reindeer – quite a mismatch, given that I’m a proud dog. Despite my lack of enthusiasm for the reindeer look, I played along for the sake of more gifts.

Gifts Galore I uncovered a festive collar, a cozy new nap blanket, and a fun toy from my gift bag. Nap blankets are my absolute favorite, especially for nibbling! Then came the posing session – I must say, I’m quite the professional.

Post-Reindeer Joy Once freed from the reindeer attire, I thoroughly enjoyed my gifts. My soft penguin blanket remains a favorite, and the reindeer toy survives in my toy box, albeit with one ear missing. As for the reindeer ears and collar, their whereabouts are unknown, and I hope they stay that way. But, with Christmas approaching, I’m bracing myself for their possible return. I’ll keep you all updated, friends!

The post Doras Corner Week 4 appeared first on Aj in the Life.

The post Doras Corner Week 1 appeared first on Aj in the Life.

My daily routine is all thrown out of whack! Gone are my midmorning naps,
noon naps, and afternoon naps in peace.
I keep getting bothered with
snuggles.
What is happening? I am SO tired!
But, there are a few pawsitives to this situation‚

1.I get to enjoy the air conditioning all day long! Sometimes I just hang
out under Mom‚’s desk (aka the dining table).

I still go outside as I please, of course.

Mom & Dad are my personal door openers at my beck and
call.

2.I am now Dad‚’s supervisor.
I look over his work and make sure he is doing
everything properly.
I also realized that I enjoy being a lap dog!

3. I feel more attached to Mom & Dad than ever! Literally attached.
This way
if they move, I KNOW!

4. We are spending a lot of time in our backyard.
I‚’ve always loved yard
time and sunbathing and now we enjoy it several times a week!
Rolling in the grass is so satisfying!
I don‚’t mind posing for photoshoots as long as I can sunbathe.
Get all my
angles Mom!
Alright, telling Mom what to type is exhausting.
Time for me to take my nap.
Please don‚’t wake me up Dad!
I‚’ll try to keep my posts coming.
Keep bothering Mom to do my typing!
Until next time, friends!

The post Doras Corner Home All Day appeared first on Aj in the Life.

Our adventure started in the back of the shop, where we put on official
Chocole‚’a aprons, learned a bit more about Chocole‚’a and sipped on some
coffee accompanied with dark chocolate beans.

I was very excited to wear an official Chocole‚’a apron!
Then we made our way over to the kitchen where the real fun began.
The
kitchen is usually closed to the public, so if you want to go inside,
you‚’ll have to book a private workshop.
The first portion of the workshop was spent decorating our own chocolate
bars.
A full chocolate bar of Chocole‚’a chocolate? Am I dreaming?
You pick your toppings for your bar and then head over to the warm
chocolate station where you get to pour chocolate into the mold.

First, heat the mold.
Then ladle in the chocolate, and tap out any air bubbles.
Next, decorate your personal chocolate bar to your hearts content! Hurry!
You don‚’t have too much time before the chocolate starts to set.

My bar (left) has macadamia nuts & dried raspberry, marshmallows and
sprinkles and ginger candy & lavender.
Aaron who only has his upcoming
Ironman race on his mind, made a triathlon inspired bar with gummy bears
that are swimming, biking and running!
Once you‚’re done, your bars head to the refrigerator to set.

Time for the DIP portion of the workshop!
We each got our own large Chocole‚’a boxes to fill with our choice of items
to dip (or dunk) into chocolate.
Dip all your items into a personal cup of melted dark chocolate.

And lay them on a sheet to dry.
I also decorated a few of mine with
additional toppings because, why not?
After your tray of dipped goodies go into the refrigerator to set, you get
to indulge in more sweet treats! Hot chocolate! Yes, the seasonal treat
that is usually reserved for the holidays.
Yum!
In between sipping chocolate, you can also decorate your custom box label
if you wish.

Once everything is set, you package them up to take home and share (or not
share)!
We had a blast at Chocole‚’a Dip & Decorate workshop.
We were both smiling
ear to ear the entire time and had a lot of fun with our fellow chocolate
loving participants.

Before leaving Chocole‚’a I just had to get a limited Unicorn Pop! One of my
favorite things about Chocole‚’a is their speciality items! Isn‚’t it just so
cute?
If you‚’re looking for something fun and unique to do for a celebration,
special occasion or triple date night, check out Chocole‚’a Dip & Decorate
Workshop! The workshop will open to the public in May, so stay tuned to Chocole‚’a website and Instagram for more information and updates!

The post Sneak Peek Dip And Decorate Workshop At Chocolea Hawaii appeared first on Aj in the Life.

Finish line views
Held annually on the Sunday of the Martin Luther King, Jr.
holiday weekend
(which was January 20 this year), I participated in the 12th annual M-O-M.

Originally, I signed up for the MOM in January 2019, in anticipation of a
possible BQ race.
However, I was lucky enough to qualify again for the 2021
Boston Marathon in my Big Bear race a few months ago.

So I went into this race with zero expectations, and wanted to just enjoy
every second of it.
That sounds like it is easy enough to do, but for
someone competitive, that can be a challenge.

Travel to Maui
There are a few ways to get to Maui.
You can fly to a different island and
swim (not advisable as your luggage would get wet).
Or you can fly to one
of the airports on Maui.
Personally I recommend the main airport in Kahului
(OGG) as it is newly renovated, has cheaper flights, and is centrally
located.
The Kapalua Airport is much smaller, has more expensive flights, and uses
tiny planes.
It is technically closer to Lahaina, which is where the finish
line is, but I don‚’t recommend it.

Where to Stay
Maui is paradise, like all the Hawaiian Islands.
So there are many
different places to stay.
Since I was running the full marathon, and I like
to make my race mornings as easy as possible, we chose to stay in Wailea at
Hotel Wailea (it was a splurge).
Janell wanted to relax while I ran.
I
couldn‚’t argue.
There are numerous places in Wailea to stay, and they are all within 1-2
miles of the starting line.
Perfect for a pre-race warmup.
There are two post race shuttles 10:30 AM and 12:30 PM that go from Lahaina
to Wailea.
They cost $12, and tickets can be purchased at packet pick up.

Otherwise you could stay in Lahaina, near the finish line, and catch the
shuttle bus to the start line in the morning.

You could technically stay in Kihei if you wanted as well, and get dropped
off or drive to the shops at Wailea.
You would however have to pay for
parking and it is expensive.

The race director recommends getting dropped off at the start in Wailea,
and then having your cheer squad stop at the various turn outs to take
photos.
I saw a lot of people doing this, with the best spots from miles
18-26.

Pre-Race Festivities
The packet pickup is super chill, and very small.
On the Friday before the
race, you could pick up the packet in Kihei, and on Saturday you could pick
up the packet in Lahaina.

I couldn‚’t make it to the packet pickup Friday, so we spent Saturday
driving the course and then grabbing the race packet.

Things that are unique to this race, is that the race director sends out a
ton of emails in the weeks leading up to the race.
In most cases, he will
make an exception to any rule in exchange for a bottle of Merlot.
Even race
morning bib pick up or having someone else grab your bib for you.

This is a local race, but there is a decent international crowd.
That being
said, it is a pretty small race, with less than 400 people running the full
marathon.

There was also a 5K, 10K, 15K, and half marathon which all start at
different points and at different times.
Race Morning
The race starts in the parking lot of the Shops at Wailea.
This is on the
South West end of the Island.
Race start is 5:00 AM sharp (for full
marathon only).
They do have a time limit on this race (12 Noon), so you
can start at 3:30 AM if you need more time.

I left the hotel room at 4:15 AM, and made my way down to the start line.
I
was probably one of the last people to show up to the race, even though I
was 30 minutes early.
The porta-potty lines were pretty long, so I did my
best not to think about it.
There was a Hawaiian blessing, and some words from the race director, and
then we started lining up at 4:55 AM.
The front of the race was for the
largest donators.
Followed by the 50 state racers.
Most of these folks were
too timid to start at the front (thankfully), and I made my way up.
One thing unique about this race is that you are required to have a
headlamp or light of some sort for the first part of the race.
I actually
needed my light to see the road until mile 10, and then for a few
additional miles to warn drivers that I was there.
Personally I used my
Ultraspire Lumen 800 multisport waist light and I was the brightest runner
out there.
The first mile started flat and the quickly went uphill.
I ran this the day
before the race to see how hard the hill was.
It wasn‚’t easy, but it was
short, and at least followed by a nice downhill.
At the bottom of the
downhill, there was a short out and back section.
I used this as my
opportunity to count the people ahead of me.
I counted 27.
I had my work
cut out for me.
I knew the race would flatten out till mile 10.
What I didn‚’t expect was a
headwind.
This forced me to pay real close attention to my pacing, and
slowed me down more than I would have liked.
In these first few miles, I
knew it wasn‚’t going to be a PR type of day.

Daytime views in Kihei
For majority of the race, I was running on the shoulder of the road,
against traffic.
In Kihei, there are some real small or non-existent
shoulders.
In most these areas, the adjacent lane was closed.
I never felt
unsafe, even during the twists and turns of miles 12-17.

At mile 10, there was a mile long uphill which looked worse than it was.

However, the headwind made it tough.
Luckily, there was an equally sloped
downhill back towards the coast right after, which had a tail wind! I was
relieved to get some speed in my legs after that slow uphill section.
Once I hit the coast line, I was treated with 6 miles of rollers.
This is
where the whale watching was the best! I made sure to look out, and
actually did see a few whale spouts in this area.
The sun had started to
brighten up the sky by the start of mile 12, and I no longer needed my
Ultraspire light.

Looking back at Wailea from mile 13
The aid stations were evenly spaced out, and there was a contest for which
aid station was the best.
I liked the ladies dressed in pajamas.
This race
also had two bottle drops at miles 7 and 16 (announced the day before the
race so I didn‚’t use it).
I also saw spectators swapping bottles for
runners.
I don‚’t think this was technically against any rules (it isn‚’t an
Ironman), but it was something I‚’ve never seen before.
At mile 17, I was blessed with one final downhill.
From there, I was on the
home stretch.
There were many moments during this time that I wanted to
just stop running and sit in the water just feet away.
I refrained, but it
was so tempting.

Along this final, almost perfectly flat stretch of road, I was treated to
views of other Hawaiian Islands, calm waters, brilliant blues, and tropical
vibes.

I also encountered the other 4 races of shorter distances.
Those races
actually started at different points on the course, but every race had the
same finish line.
The half marathon started at the finish (out and back),
so they got to see all the beaches twice!
Personally I never found the course too crowded with all of the different
races fitting in one shoulder lane.
There were however a few times I had to
run in the road to go around people.
Thankfully the cars were very
courteous and never ran me over.
Finish
The finish line was welcome.
I was tired, despite not running nearly as
hard as I could have.
I made sure to enjoy as many of the views as I could,
and made sure I didn‚’t end up hurting myself.

I was satisfied with my time considering my effort, and was surprised with
a 2nd place in my Age Group award (first and second place overall were also
in my age group).
Finish: 3:16:09, 20/323 Overall, 4/20 in Age Group
Post Race
The finish line was just steps away from the beach, and I finally was able
to jump in the water.
It felt as good as I thought it would.

I also made sure to take advantage of the free massages they were giving
out!
There were also tables of snacks with bananas, oranges, pineapples,
pretzels, cookies, crackers.

I also checked out the awards table and saw the coolest first place awards
I have ever seen.
Perhaps the highlight of the finish line however, was my new friend Meadow.

She was a 6 month old Australian Shepard/Border Collie mix, and was so
cute.
I spent a long time sitting with her at the medical tent.
I was fine,
but she needed a friend.

We tried figuring out how to sneak her away, but in the end she couldn‚’t
break free.
Final Thoughts
If you like beaches, paradise, whale watching, and marathons, the MOM is
your dream race.
Perhaps you only like half marathons, or shorter
distances, the MOM is still your race.

This was my 7th marathon, and 4th Hawaiian Island I have ran on.
I would
say it was easily the most beautiful.
I don‚’t think this race is a PR type
of race, but it isn‚’t slow either.
The weather was cool (mid 60‚’s at the
start), not too humid because the wind, and started early so it wasn‚’t too
hot at the finish (at least for me).
Highly recommended.
Plus it is an
excuse to go to Maui!

The post Maui Oceanfront Marathon 2020 Race Report appeared first on Aj in the Life.

I woke up today with a continued sense of purpose.
I had a great sleep,
with some weird dreams that included a dinosaur made out of a cloud that
screamed and then exploded into rain…glad I survived the dream.
On our morning walk, I paid close attention to some new aches and pains.

Mainly I had some tenderness from my trail run.
What a grand idea that was.

By the end of the walk, my body had woken up a bit and I was ready to go.
The weather was a few degrees warmer than yesterday with a little more
humidity.
I could feel it.
But this is Hawaii, so I just learn to deal with
it.
I got my Tailwind ready to go, and gulped down a SIS gel for good
measure.
If you haven‚’t had one of these gels, they are my personal
favorite, and what I use for all marathons.

I also brought out some new shoes.
It is important to cycle through shoes
when you are running long distances.
I rotate between 7-8 pairs.
It keeps
the foam cushion from getting compressed too much, so they last longer.
At
least that is what I tell Janell.

Music of choice today was Taylor Swift radio, starting with “Blank Space”.

With my headphones on, I was ready to go.
As mentioned, it was warmer today than on day 1.
So I had every intention
to take it easy.
But after doing a new activation drill from Purple Patch
(my new triathlon program), I actually started hot out the gates.
In fact,
I ran today‚’s 10 miles over 2 minutes faster than yesterday‚’s! Whoops.
I did take the same number of breaks, and my heart rate was only 1 bpm
higher on average, but my stride was a little longer (perhaps from the
activation drills).
I guess we will see how bad an idea it was tomorrow.
26 down.
74 to go.
For my second run of the day, I decided to stay on the road vice the
trails.
As much as I would have loved to be back in the mountains, my
ankles were a little stiff today from all the rock and rolls, so I gave
them a rest.
Despite the weather app saying it felt like 72 degrees, the humidity in the
afternoon made it feel like it was 85 degrees.
I got out another new pair
of shoes, or lightly used pair rather, and put on my cool kid glasses.
I
figured that if nothing else, at least I would be running in style.

Since I listened to only Tay Tay this morning, I switched it up with some
old school (for me) All out 90‚’s.
Nothing like running to the beat of “My
Heart Will Go On” by Celine Dion…
After another round of activation drills, I was on my way.
Surprisingly, my
legs weren‚’t heavy feeling at this point.
I was however still running a bit
quicker than I planned, so my walk breaks were important.

I was getting more and more drenched in sweat, and tried not to think about
the smells that were going to be ingrained in my shirt after this run.

Again my run was quicker than the previous day, granted, it was an “easier”
run with half the elevation gain.

32 down.
68 to go.
I made sure to have a post run recovery shake, treat, and hydration (Liquid
IV).
That GF banana bread was surely pushing me to finish today!
All in all, I was happy with another day completed.
With some aches from
day 1, it will be interesting how long I last tomorrow on my long 15 mile
run.
I think I will still wake up motivated, knowing that I will be half
way through once it is done.
However, I will probably start to feel the
previous 32 miles with each step.
Some of the tools I have been using for a while now for recovery include
the Hyperice Vyper vibrating roller and the Hyperice Hypervolt massager.

After a good 20 minute session with these bad boys, I am usually feeling a
lot better.
Time will tell.
Two days down.
Four more to go.

Thanks for reading!
PrefaceDay 1: Miles 0-16Day 3: Miles 33-47Day 4: Miles 48-63Day 5: Miles 64-73Day 6: Miles 74-100

The post My First 100 Mile Week Day 2 appeared first on Aj in the Life.

What started with so much promise, 2020 was going to be my year. I ended 2019 with a few great race results, and was primed for success to start 2020.

I had a mediocre race (A REAL ONE!) in January at the Maui Oceanfront Marathon. At the time, I didn’t think much of it, and didn’t push very hard halfway through, when I knew my “goal” time was slipping.

I enjoyed the race 100%, but I didn’t have any real goals or motivation going into the race. Partly, because my previous marathon was such a success (Big Bear Marathon), and partly because I was distracted by all those gorgeous views! What was planned as an early season A race, quickly turned into a B and then C race.

At the time, I knew I had 3 Ironman 70.3 races lined up, a NYC Marathon in the fall, and a few other local triathlons that I would hopefully do well in. So it wasn’t that big a deal to lose my focus during the race. Boy was I wrong.

It was a harsh lesson for me to truly appreciate each race I line up for, and not to take anything for granted. Something we have probably all learned in 2020.

A month later, as I was prepping diligently for my first triathlon of the season, the Lavaman, we started getting all the COVID news. I fought off a cold on a trip in early February, and shrugged it off as my annual 24hr bug. Who knows what it was, as “COVID” wasn’t a thing at that time. By the time March came around, I was ready to race again, but everything was flipped upside down just 2 weeks before the race.

It was a bit of a shock at the time, but seeing how it was affecting the rest of the world, I was actually not too upset. In fact, as each race started to get cancelled, I never once felt sorry for myself. Rather I felt empathy for all those in the world who were affected on a much deeper level.

In order to keep myself sane during this time, I thought I would realign my focus of 2020 to better training, rather than more racing. The past 3 years have been almost non-stop racing, so it was going to be a nice change to get in some serious training blocks.

But first, I decided to use my fitness I had built up, to tackle my first 100 mile running week. That was an interesting experience, and taught me a lot about my body and how strong it had become. That distance sounded crazy far, but because I have been putting in so much work, I was able to enjoy each step! Now I just have to figure out how I will do that in one day.

After a little bit of recovery, I joined the Purple Patch Fitness squad for some disciplined training blocks. With so much uncertainty going forward, I wanted to make sure I had a good training path so my time wasn’t wasted. I ended up with some of the biggest training weeks I have ever done, and felt great!

I also started participating in a few of Ironman’s virtual races (VR series). After the first 70.3 distance one however, I realized that it just wasn’t the same as real racing, and I didn’t want to get stuck in a VR every weekend. So despite setting some PR’s, I decided it was best to get focused again on training.

Perhaps the sport I needed the most help with was swimming. Unfortunately, due to COVID, that has been the hardest sport to train for. Whether it was beaches closing or pools closing/limited hours, getting in the water consistently has been tough. But, using swim bands multiple times a week as part of my training program, along with strength work, has helped me to maintain some of my speed when I have gotten back in the water. Let’s be honest, I didn’t have very far to fall. But I am hopeful that once we get back to a more consistent schedule, this time away from swimming will spark more motivation for me to swim harder than ever.

When it came to biking and running however, I started hitting some new numbers and personal bests. All the hard work started to pay off, as I could see my continued growth each month.

Most my races were deferred to 2021, but a few of the marathons were also having virtual races this year. Since running is easier to do logistically compared to a triathlon, I signed up for two virtual marathons.

The first one was treated like a C race, with no race build, just the same base training plan I was on. I was able to run the first half comfortably, but after mile 17, I started to fade, and motivation quickly dissipated. Self supported races are so tough mentally to stay engaged. I also chose a 7 loop flat course, that was very boring. I thought it was going to be easier, but the monotony was one of the contributing factors to me backing off and cruising in the last third of the race. My finish time was 3:27, which is by no means bad, but it was far from the best I could have done.

And so, I shook it off, and later that day added an 8 week marathon race build to my training calendar in Purple Patch. I knew I had good base fitness, but needed some marathon specific training. I was also curious to see how their marathon specific plan would work.

I wasn’t sure what to expect from the PPF marathon plan, but it was nice to see the inclusion of biking and swimming each week. The intensity and duration was much less than normal, but it served as good recovery and a change from the constant pounding of running.

This time, I decided to race the Honolulu Marathon course for my NYC virtual marathon. The last time I ran it was in 2017, and this time I was able to post a Hawaii PR at 3:10 even! I still can’t believe I have run 10 marathons in my life, with 3 self supported marathons this year alone.

It was interesting to me that this race felt like a real race. Perhaps it was because I have experienced this course in a race environment and could visualize it very clearly. Perhaps it was because I was well prepared for the race, and was able to finish strong. Either way, it was one of my best races I have ever run (in terms of plan and execution), and it felt amazing to finish.

Funny story, as I was ending the race, I looked at my watch and saw I could get under 3:10 if I sprinted. I had a few tenths of a mile left, and gave it all I had. I also knew I didnt want to run too far over the 26.2 mile distance, so I was locked into my watch and barely noticed passing a lady who was minding her own business and walking like a normal person. And then I hit 3:10 and immediately stopped my watch, stopped running, and bent over dry heaving. I am sure it was quite a sight to see, and I apologize if I scared her. That is what virtual races are all about I guess!

So as I reflect on this year, the year of COVID, I think I have met and exceeded all I could have achieved. I pushed when I could have, I learned important lessons about racing, and I’ve learned about what truly motivates me.

I look forward to a new beginning in 2021, and am hopeful that all of us, not just athletes, will be stronger because of all that was endured. I know this year has taught our family how important perspective is on life and has showed us what is truly important.

The post 2024: A Year of Virtual Racing appeared first on Aj in the Life.

It was my first triathlon, and the race that hooked me into the sport.
I
will try to capture as many parts of it as I can, so that you can learn
something perhaps you didn‚’t know before!
Travel to the Big Island
There are two airports to fly into on the Big Island (aka Hawai‚’i).
The
closest one to the race venue is Kona International Airport (KOA).
From
there, it is about a 45 min drive (usually with no traffic), to the
Fairmont Orchid (where the pre-race festivities take place).

PRO TIP: When in Kona, stop by Walmart, Costco, or Longs before heading to your
hotel, so you can load up on your essentials (water, sun screen, snacks,
post race drinks).
Otherwise you end up paying resort prices for everything
once you are in that area.
You might even want to stop somewhere to get
food if it is meal time.
If you are not as serious a racer, or don‚’t want to ship your bike for the
race, I recommend renting your bike from Bike Works in Kona.
That is THE bike shop for all your race needs, and bike rentals.

In 2017 I rented a road disc bike for $140 for the race weekend, and in
2018 I put my bike together in their parking lot, almost broke it, and they
helped me before I over torqued my stem!
Bike Works is also a great place to get CO2 cartridges, because you can
return them for store credit if you don‚’t use them! Make sure you also put
in your request for rental as early as possible.
If they run out of
rentals, they will even put you on a wait list!
Accommodations
In both 2017 and 2018 we chose to stay at the Westin Hapuna Beach Resort
(formerly known as the Hapuna Beach Prince Hotel).
Personally I love making
race morning as easy as possible.
The Westin hotel is only a 10-15 min walk
from the room to the race start, so there is no waiting or shuttles to deal
with.
Westin Hapuna Beach Room
Westin Hapuna Beach Bath
The hotel itself just went under a renovation, and the pools are great for
post race relaxing!
You can even walk (ride) your bike to T-1 the day before the race, through
a side road, and avoid the traffic of the other racers!
There aren‚’t many Airbnbs near the race start or finish, but there is a
dirt parking lot at the Fairmont Orchid and shuttles to the start for
racers/spectators.
The Fairmont Orchid is a very nice hotel, and is very
convenient post race, but I prefer the post race bike ride back to the
hotel instead.
Pre-Race Festivities
The pre-race environment for Ironman events are always full of fun and
energy.

Many racers get caught up in the atmosphere, visiting all the vendors,
walking around a lot, sightseeing, over training, etc.
This venue is no
different, but the actual pre-race areas are relatively small.
However, you
end up walking more than you would expect so don‚’t waste steps.
The pre-race brief is usually crowded, and held in a very large ballroom
(so it‚’s AC!).
There are sign-in sheets at the front, so it is technically
honor system, but your signature needs to be down there.

The brief is about an hour long (standard), and does a good job covering
the main points and scaring people into not drafting.
Next door to that is the bike shop and merchandise store, again in a
ballroom, and also AC.
That place can get very crowded, so don‚’t go before
or after the athlete briefing if you can help it.

Next door to that is the athlete check in, which is again in a ballroom,
and takes roughly 5-10 minutes.

At athlete check in, you receive a draw string bag, filled with a schedule,
swim cap, tri-tat race number, bike stickers, a T-1 bag and a T-2 bag.
You
will need to leave your T-2 bag at the Fairmont Orchid the day before the
race (location for drop changed each year).
I think they leave it in the
sun, so keep that in mind for nutrition.
PSA: If you do what is recommended and put on the tri-tat the night before, you
will be in pain if you sleep shirtless and the tat gets stuck to the
sheets.
Trust me.
Morning of the race is fine.
I recommend doing the Friday 10:45 AM Athlete check-in, 11 AM Race Brief,
12 PM T-2 bag drop, and then rushing over to the Hapuna Beach State Park
for the 1 PM T-1 bike drop.

There are no shuttles to T-1, so many racers just ride over (5-6 miles) and
then get picked up.
Kama‚’aina can park free with I.D., otherwise it‚’s $5 I
think.
If you do this plan, MAKE sure you have everything you need for your T-2 bag before you get to the
expo! The T-1 area always opens at least 30 min early, and rack location is
first come first serve.
So don‚’t wait until 5pm!
After all the pre-race stuff, it is time to prep everything for the next
morning, eat some food, and relax.
Race Morning
I usually get up about 3-4 hrs before the race, or 1.5 hrs before I need to
leave my room.
This gives me enough time to eat, drink and empty in my own
privacy.
Being able to walk to the start from the hotel is super awesome
because I get to sleep in a little!
T-1 opens around 5 am, and I try get there around 5:30 am.
If you go too
early, you do a lot of sitting around and anxiously waiting.

At T-1, there are tons of bike pumps, people giving body marking, and
sunscreen.
Music is blaring and there is a lot of open space to swim, run,
or hang out with loved ones.

Don‚’t forget all your bike nutrition/water and T-1 bag (helmet, bikes
shoes, batteries, computers, etc.) Also make sure you adjust your gearing
for that first big hill and pump up those tires!
Race Start/Swim
The swim start is a rolling, self seeded AG start, and usually it is a 4
person send off every 5 seconds.
I‚’ve never done a true mass start, but I
hear they are not fun…so I am a fan of this type of start.

Spectators at swim start
The swim is breathtaking.
The water is clear about 20-30 feet deep, and
often times you can see honu! My goggles fogged the first year, and I was
too busy swimming to notice myself, but from what I heard there are fish as
well.

The last two years were the same, with three right hand turns and a final
left hand turn.
The sky is pretty lit by the time the swim starts, but not
visible until 15 min after swim start.
However, it isn‚’t really ever in
your eyes, at least when my AG is in the water (usually 4-5 group).

PRO TIP: Don‚’t hit the swim buoys! I have a bad left shoulder, and ended up
swimming too close to a buoy on the third turn.
It hit my face, stopped me
still, and my left shoulder ended up dislocating when I started my stroke.

It popped back in after, but it hurt for the rest of the swim.
Aaron 0 –
Buoy 1.
T-1 Area
The run up to T-1 is sand, then concrete with carpet over it.
There are
some water hoses for the sand.

Once you pass that area, the bags are along the path in numerical order
(where you placed it).
The bike racks are categorized by famous
triathletes, something I think is pretty cool.
It makes it easy to
remember, and also pays homage to their hard work.

Once you get past the mount line, there are volunteers there to help you
get on your bike, as it is a steep incline in the first 1/2 mile.
Remember to choose the right gear before you rack your bike one last time!
Bike
There is nothing like biking on the famous Queen Ka‚’ahumanu Highway in a
race (unless you have already done it at THE IRONMAN).
The history of the
course can give you chills, except it is too hot for that.

The bike course is fairly straight forward, except for two U-turns (make
sure to practice those).
The rest of the course isn‚’t technically
challenging, but it is physically taxing with the heat, cross winds, and
rolling hills (about 3,500 ft climbing).

The Hawi climb of 5 miles isn‚’t that bad if you are smart about your
pacing, or have a 30/32 cassette.
I have an 11-32 and didn‚’t run out of
gears up that climb.

The year before I had a 11-28 and was a new rider, so it sucked but was far
from impossible.
It did rain a little both years on that climb.
Remember,
what goes up must come down, so look forward to that.

I also struggle with the U-turn at Hawi, so make sure you are ready for a
tight one, after a climb.
I almost fell both years, of course I ride
indoors 99% of the time.

The aid stations are every 8-10 miles, and are pretty long and well marked.

One sneaky hard part is the turn from Kawaihae back to the Queen K.
I hit
my fastest speeds going down that hill, but that means coming up is not
very fun.
I just never expected it to be hard, but I did run out of gearing
there both years and had to push power harder than I wanted.
Again, not the
end of the world, but a segment that can sneak up on you.
The rest of the
rollers are the same ones you already rode, so nothing else to say until
the Fairmont no pass zone and T-2.
PRO TIP: Make sure you are paying attention at all times on the bike.
That goes
without saying at all times, but with the distraction of the beautiful
ocean to your right (or left), and the cross winds, all it takes is one
mistake to fall down a massive hill.
I got distracted for a second and
almost ran into a guardrail which would have probably ended my life…luckily
God was watching and I have since learned my lesson.
Enjoy the ride, but
never get distracted!
T-2
In this race, you must dismount and rack your own bike.
I have twice been
confused as to where my bike was supposed to be and luckily got help from
family to point me in the right direction.

It never crossed my mind to find my spot the day before, but I think you
technically could do that since it is set up (might be next to T-2 bag drop
area if they keep it the same as 2018).

Then you are handed your T-2 bag by volunteers, enter a small changing tent
or just sit in the available chairs, and then leave your bag and start
running.
I think there is water right out of T-2, followed by several aid
stations along the course.
Run
In my opinion, the hardest part of this run course is the rolling hills of
the golf course, not ‚Äö√Ñ√∫Hell‚’s Kitchen‚Äö√Ñ√π as they say.
It is hot and humid
everywhere, and the concrete golf cart paths that go up and down sharply,
followed by soft grass, makes it hard to find a running rhythm.

It is not meant to be a fast run course, but if you are fast then it
doesn‚’t matter where you run.
PRO TIP: Look out for all the goats! I counted 40+ last race, but that also means
goat poop.
But still fun to see them grazing the golf course.
Finish Line and Finish Area
There is nothing like the red carpet of an Ironman event.
However, in
Hawaii, there is no red carpet, but rather grass and a local floral
arrangement arch.
I prefer the red carpet finish, but that is a personal
thing.

The athletes are given three tickets for booze or water, and a meal ticket
for some burgers and such.
Nothing fancy, but better than nothing? I never
eat after races because I am never hungry, but people seem to enjoy
themselves.

There are also some massage areas, and the cool waters of Hawaii just
begging for you to jump in.
I love that feeling (after my Redbull of
course), but be careful not to cut your soft feet on the reef.
I did that
and didn‚’t realize til a few hours later when it started hurting.

The awards are held a few hours after the race, about 4pm, followed by the
roll down.
This is one of the very few 70.3 races with slots to both Kona
and 70.3 WC, but everyone who wins their AG most likely will take the Kona
slot.
The 70.3 WC South Africa slot did get passed up in many age groups to
who ever wanted it.
I was 9th and missed it by one spot! So you never know!
There are no shuttles back to the race start, only to the parking lot from
the hotel (same one used pre-race).
Bikes aren‚’t allowed back on the buses,
so I ended up just riding back to the hotel, picked up the car, and then
picked up Janell at the hotel.

Final Thoughts
This race is highly recommended, and can turn into a great family vacation.

I even met a guy from Europe who convinced his wife that this race was a
good honeymoon idea‚Äö√Ѭ∂she enjoyed a spa day while he raced (don‚’t get any
ideas Janell!).

If you are a healthier eater, I highly recommend Under the Bodhi Tree at
the Shops at Mauna Lani near the Fairmont Orchid.
They even have race week
specials for athletes!
That just about covers it.
If you have any other questions or things I
missed, feel free to comment! Hope you were able to learn something to help
you PR your next Ironman 70.3 Honu!

By Aaron

The post Ironman 703 Hawaii Honu Race Report 2017 2018 appeared first on Aj in the Life.