Mama's Going To Mecca...

Tomorrow is my birthday! And we are going to Mecca Kona!

Scott actually suggested the idea of spending the 3-day weekend in Kona a few weeks back. Of course I was all over that. I just love being in Kona, and Moana would have a blast (she might only be two but she's been there 3x already)...

If you're a triathlete you know what I was thinking... how can I possibly go to Kona and not take my bike?? Wouldn't that be like committing some kind of cardinal triathlete sin? But then of course at the same time I was trying to figure out how to justify being on a family vacation in Kona but spending all day away from my family on my bike. That wasn't really going to fly either. Hmmm.

Alas, I am a resourceful triathlete and love solving problems like figuring out how to fit in training without sacrificing too much family time. My solution? Duh. Friday is my birthday. How about I fly to Kona early, spend my birthday doing what I love, then Scott and Moana can fly in Friday evening and family vacation time can start? I am a genius sometimes, no?

And while I would be perfectly happy spending all day training in Kona alone, it did seem like something that would be fun to share with someone else... someone who would also enjoy the heck out of the day with me... Hmmm. Who might also just love that?  I sent a quick text to Nalani and planted a little seed about possibly coming with me. Less than 3 hours later her plane ticket was reserved. Have I mentioned how much I love that girl?

So then I put a note in my TP calendar for Tim. It read: "It's my birthday. And I'm going to be in Kona. And I'm going to have all day to train. Plan something good." I think I've mentioned that Tim does not shy away from volume so it will indeed be a long training day. This should be fun. But the best part? His post workout recovery instructions said: after ~30 minutes try to get ~50-60g of carbohydrate in liquid form. Nalani, being such a stickler for always following directions, did a bit of research and found out that Kona Brewing Company's Fire Rock Pale Ale has ~20g carb/pint. So don't worry, coach. We'll be sure to get about 3 of those down as soon as we're done.

So how much fun is that going to be? On my birthday, I get to fly to Kona, swim at the pier, bike the Ironman course, run along Ali'i Dr, drink a beer (or three?) at Kona Brewing Co, drop Nalani off at the airport to fly home, pick my husband and daughter up at the same airport, then recover from my awesome day by playing in Kona for the weekend. Happy Birthday to me. Indeed.