21 Weeks to Kona

Week 5 of the build & bike phase and the weather gave our first real glance at the approaching winter. It was cold, wet and windy.  

'The May Massive' Challenge on Strava - I've clocked up 220km running & 679km riding since 1 May 2013. That's 170th of 11,413 runners and 6,958th of 56,512 riders.





Back at Hawthorn velodrome on the Monday. The forecast rain held off, I was prepped to get wet. This week saw my first session back with the main squad. It was good to be back training with other athletes rather than the lonesome solo midweek training.

Big run set at the Tan on Tuesday night. Did just over 20km which included 3 Tan laps and after each lap an '860 loop' (hilly section to make the legs burn). This session, being the first back with the squad after qualifying for Kona, reminded me of when I first started with Fluid Movements. It was this time last year and the 2012 Kona qualifiers were training. Foz would call "Hawaii" and the team would walk over and Foz would go through their run set. I liked the sound of that and wondered what it took to qualify. 

On Tuesday night Foz called "Hawaii" and I walked over....that felt totally awesome! It was a great personal moment. THAT'S what inspires me to do the training. 

Didn't get home until 9pm after running then having to wait for the tram. it was a late dinner. 

Thursday morning was another of the long Dandenongs ride with 1:20 repeats. It was cold and raining, only did 2 of the 3 scheduled repeats. Did 3 hours on the bike then a 30 minute run. At least I had my rain jacket.

Posted the comparison temperatures on Facebook - Mt Dandenong v's Hawaii, hurry up October:

Hawaii - Sunny & 28 degrees

Mt Dandenong - Rain & 6.7 degrees

It was another cold & wet Silvan Dam ride on Saturday. I was well under-dressed and froze as we passed through Kallista (back of Mt Dandenong). Left my rain jacket at home. Still waiting on my new rain jacket and shoe covers from PBK, they can't come quick enough. Made burritos that night. Ate way too much but enjoyed a bottle of... 

Sunday's long run was at Port Melbourne with the squad. Had a 2 hour pre-run ride. It started raining a Moordialloc so got wet again. Just like Saturday...no rain jacket. Came across Red Bear, coach Ritchie and Ollie doing their pre-run ride. I slowed down for a chat.

The run started at Port Melbourne SLSC. Did 2 laps of Albert Park lake for the first time before heading out to Beach Rd. Great place to run, and the sun came out, what a morning! A great way to finish a big training week.

 4 months and 22 days until Ironman World Championship!

Kona slot wet for US$30,099 on eBay this week: