Tuesday, February 22, 2011

Notes From My Birthday On da Big Island

I love the big Island. And our trip there this weekend may have been the best ever. Kona is such a nice sleepy little town when it's not October. I am paralyzed trying to  write about it so I think my only hope is to do it bullet point style with pictures... so here goes...

~Nalani is awesome. But you knew that.

~Moonlit water is a real thing. And it is even more beautiful when the moon is full on your birthday and you see it lighting up the ocean in Kona as your plane lands.

~I set a new record assembling my bike. Got it together in 11:34. The record lasted about 8 hours as Nalani broke it when she was packing her bike that afternoon. I think she packed her bike in less than 10 minutes. Impressive.


~We got in the water to swim just a minute or two ahead of the Trek/K-Swiss squad. That's about the same amount of time we managed to hang in their draft when they passed us a few minutes later. Humbling.


~Dolphins! Dolphins! Look Nalani! There's dolphins! I might have completely freaked her out when I grabbed her arm to point them out. Our swim was temporarily interrupted while we played around in the water with the dolphins. How glad am I that I brought my underwater camera? Happy Birthday to me. :)


~I am in my natural habitat riding my P3 on the Queen K. I can't remember a bike ride where I felt happier. Climbing to Hawi...


~I can run the same pace at the same HR regardless of if I roll out of bed and go or bike 109 miles first. While this might not bode well for an open marathon, it might serve me well in an Ironman.

~Beach park showers are just fine. Cold, but just fine. I will say though, it sucks when they lock the bathroom doors at 5:00 and you have to deck change right there on the pier. But whatever. Look at my underwear. I don't care.


~Beer never tasted so good. And Kona Brewing Co really is my favorite. They brewed a special firkin on Friday- one night only "red ale conditioned with cinnamon". I enjoyed it very much.

20 comments:

Anonymous said...

so fun, sounds like a DREAM birthday! hope you are still feeling remnants of the post training weekend endorphin high!

Beth said...

Sounds like an amazing birthday doing all the amazing fun things you like to do! :)

Kim said...

what an awesome birthday weekend! i totally dig your new blog picture!

Lizzie said...

LOVE the new profile photo - very cool!!

Kathy said...

Yes - great photo - and sounds like the perfect birthday.

Iron Krista, "The Dog Mom" said...

Oh so FUN!!!!! I think you may have worked harder, and I played harder for your birthday :-)

LOVE the new pic. Can my arms look like that if I wear that swimsuit? ;-)

Molly said...

I am so glad you had so much fun!!!!!! Love the new banner photo toooooooo! And waaah you guys got to wear your e21 suits already...

Big Daddy Diesel said...

You look so happy on the bike, glad you had a good bday

I like the new header photo as well, that is cool

Running and living said...

While you were enjoying the sun, I was fighting a headwind and freezing temps during my HM!

You look super happy - so glad you made such a great bday for yourself!

And...can I have your arms? And your suit? Oh, wait, I'll get a suit soon...now I just need to work on the arms:)

Living The Tri Life said...

I like the Recovery e21 swimsuit, can't wait to get mine!!!

Living The Tri Life said...

I like your new pic in the Recovery e21 swimsuit!!! Can't wait to get mine! Great picture!!

Mark said...

Awesomeness. Look like you had a great time. Who is that slow looking guy next to you with the Speedo?

Anonymous said...

FUN!!!

Jennifer Harrison said...

Glad you had a great birthday! And I like the fun new pic on your blog!

Clare said...

love it. happy birthday!!! and ditto all those comment on your arms.

kerrie said...

i am so jealous, sounds like the perfect birthday! we had decided not to go there for honu this year, now i'm really sad...i don't think that i'll be able to wait until october :(

rr said...

Gorgeous new header picture - you look so fit!

Sounds like a fabulous birthday, now I've got a little Kona fever.

TriGirl Kate O said...

Happy Birthday again! Swimming with dolphins is such a great present. LOVE the new blog picture!

mmmonyka said...

I am joining ranks of those you LOVE your new picture and who want those arms, badly! Please tell me that I can develop such arms using paddles:)

Anonymous said...

Love it. Belated happy b-day!