Ironman World Championships 2014

pic from www.telegraph.co.uk

With just under two weeks to go, I'm starting to get excited for the Ironman World Champs.  One day I will race it, but for now, I'm just following.

Click HERE for the pro start list.  There's always good story-lines, but here are a few folks in particular that I'm looking out for.

- Bart Aernouts, a young Belgian who runs like the wind.  He finished 8th in Kona in 2013.  This year he won his first full-distance Ironman in France followed by his first European 70.3 Championship

- Tim O'Donnell, top American at Kona 2013 (5th overall) and getting better every year.

- Bevan Docherty, a Kiwi who's performed at every distance from 2 Olympic medals to winning Ironman New Zealand.  He jumped up to the iron-distance after London 2012, so I think he's just getting started.

- Daniela Ryf, her year in one word... WOW!  Let's see, she won the Zurich Olympic race and Ironman Zurich on back-to-back days, then Ironman 70.3 European Champs, followed by IM Copenhagen and topped it off with a win at 70.3 World Champs.  Wow!

- Rachel Joyce, maybe I have a thing for female triathletes from the UK, but she really put on a performance finishing 2nd in Kona last year and had another great battle with Mirinda Carfrae at Roth earlier this year.  Can't wait to see what's in store for Oct 11th.

To get in the mood, I've been re-watching old Kona races on YouTube.  Actually, I've watched almost every one available, 1989 (The Iron War) through 2013.  They're all great, but below are a couple to get you started.

2002, the last time an American man, Tim DeBoom, won

2004, first time the "big bike lead" strategy worked in Kona

Also, Apolo Ohno has taken Hines Ward's place on the the Got Chocolate Milk Team.  Check out episode 1 of Mission Apolo below.  Click HERE for the website and rest of the episodes.

Hawai'i: Update 2

30/30/30 Challenge

Swim 20

Bike 4

Run 30+

Getting straight to it, I'm having my first experience with "island time."  It's been two and a half weeks since my interview, so I followed up and no decision yet.  So, I'm waiting patiently (patience is a virtue!) and hoping to hear next week.  Keep you posted.

Meanwhile, I've come across a very good, high probability opportunity in NYC.  While it's not Hawai'i, there are obviously pluses and minuses to both places.  While Hawai'i remains our first choice, if the current situation drags into August, we may have to consider other options.

Other than that, a couple of recommendations if you like looking at awesome photos.  Check out a new buddy of mine, Manuel Gonzalez, on Instagram at 'gonzolenz'.  He takes amazing ocean, beach and water sports pics, and I think gets a beating from the waves while he does it.  You should also go to UnrealHawaii.com for great hiking, beach and generally incredible pics with some short, interesting dialog.

outdoor space, Art After Dark
pic from honolulumuesum.org

Finally, a few new Honolulu outings.  On Friday night, I hit Art After Dark which is an event with art, music, drinks and some activities at the Honolulu Museum of Art on the last Friday of every month from 18.00 - 21.00.  The museum has lots of open air, outdoor space to hang out, chat with friends and meet people, but you can also check out the art inside.  It was definitely cool, and if you like dressing up, which doesn't seem to happen on a daily basis here, put on your Friday night best and head on over.  If you do go, it's $10 at the door and you'll need your ID.

pic from obrhi.com

Because I went to the museum, I missed Eat the Street, a gathering of local food trucks also on the last Friday of every month.  Usually there's a different theme and it all takes place at 555 South Street, from 16.00 - 21.00.  So, if we end up living here, I think we'll try grabbing some food from a truck around 17 or 18.00 and then heading over to the museum.  Fingers crossed!

pic from frolichawaii.com

The Latest

30/30/30 Challenge
Swim 18
Bike 4
Run 30+

Feeling the Hawai'i vibe, it's Sunday, and I'm just chillin out.  Over the three weeks I've been here, the vibe has really won me over, and I feel like a high pressure finance job combined with this laid back culture outside the office is perfect for us, not to mention the year-round, outdoor training :)

That brings me to the job.  It's been two weeks since my last interview, and I'm waiting to hear a decision.  I'm planning to follow-up tomorrow to see where we stand.  Will keep you posted.

In the meantime, I've picked up a few other opportunities that I'm talking to people about (both in Hawai'i and on the US mainland) and made some time to check out the local scene like the Honolulu Night Market.

pic from www.streetgrindz.com

The Honolulu Night Market is a cool place to hang out and check out local designers, artists, musicians,  and grab some local grub from the food trucks.  If you find yourself in Honolulu on the third Saturday of any month, head down to 449 Cooke Street for this open air hang out.  Being 31, the vibe is a bit younger, but I didn't feel out of place.

lots to do!

good entertainment

Other than my life, there's tons going on around the sporting world.

First, a shout out to my buddy, Nikos, who won his age-group in the sprint race at the New Jersey State Triathlon this weekend!  Superbly done!  He took first in his group and finished top 10 out of 1,600 people.  Excellent!

Second, sticking with triathlon, the fastest iron-distance event, Challenge Roth, took place on Sunday in Roth, Germany.  Known for the huge crowds, 200,000+ spectators, Tour de France like support on some of the climbs and very fast times (recent years have required a sub-8hr finish for the overall win), it's considered one of the most important iron-distance races around, and is definitely on my bucket list.  Click to read about the MEN'S and WOMEN'S races.

Speaking of the Tour de France, it's going on right now!  Through about 15 stages, Vincenzo Nibali, Italy, from the Astana team is wearing the yellow jersey.  There have been a number of notables crashing out including Mark Cavendish and Alberto Contador.

Also, the Badwater Ultra-marathon, 135mi across Death Valley in the USA, was recently held.  And, as if 135mi/ 217k with 17,000ft/ 518m of climbing through some of the harshest conditions on earth isn't enough, acclaimed ultra-runner, Lisa Smith-Batchen, took on and completed the "quad," which is four crossings back-to-back-to-back!  She took this on in the name of Badwater4Goodwater, a charity she created to help increase the availability of clean water around the world.  Read more about her amazing feat HERE.

All this, not to mention all of the Ironman races including the European Championships which saw some great performances and shorter distance ITU Series where the Brownlees are getting back on track and American, Gwen Jorgensen took her fourth victory in a row!  All great stuff!

E Komo Mai

Welcome to Hawai'i!

E komo mai or 'welcome' in Hawai'ian.  I'm on the ground in this most gorgeous place!

Having been here a week, I'm starting to settle in a bit.  But, not too settled, I don't have a job yet!  I had my interview with one person last week and it went well, but one of the decision makers was sick, so I'll have another interview this week.  Fingers crossed!

Most of my time here has been spent prepping for interviews, but I've also been checking out the city.  Waikiki is obviously the tourist paradise that you imagine.  The business district is 15-20mins west of Waikiki by bus and very similar to the downtown of most cities.  The main differences being that here is relatively small and most business people wear Hawai'ian shirts.  Yes, seriously.  Business slacks and Hawai'ian shirts.

I'm staying between Waikiki and downtown (not sure if people here call it "downtown", but I will) in a very local and heavy traffic area.  It's not a long-term spot, but it's cheap, safe, has a grocery store, restaurants and the main bus lines nearby.

walking around Kaka'ako

Another place I checked out, which I doubt most tourists get to, is an area called Kaka'ako.  It's kind of the Shoreditch (London) or Lower East Side (NYC) of Honolulu complete with industrial/ warehouse buildings, street art and of course the relatively recent organic cafes with great coffee.  No hipsters, but it felt very homey.  To top it all off, they have a night market and food trucks at the end of every month, so hopefully I'm still around.

As for working out, I’ve been running, swimming and doing strength work down at Ala Moana Beach Park, which is about 15min walk straight down from my place.  It’s a nice beach, bigger than Waikiki and with less people, so great for swimming.  From one end to the other is just over 1km.  The water is relatively calm but moves enough to throw off a mainly pool-bound swimmer like me.  It’s incredible to do all this outside for free!

Ala Moana Beach Park
pic from www.hawaiiforvisitors.com

I also popped into a local tri/bike shop and picked up loads of info on races.  I’ve got some picked out, so let’s hope we’ll be here long term!

30/30/30 Challenge

Swim 13

Bike 4
Run 30+