John's race report

well the week started weird with no bikes at airport, gears smasshed then rain every day for first week, then the earthquake on sunday followed by a few more smaller ones.

the week leading up, the sea was very swelly and the surfers were happy but no rain and no quakes, a few probs with bike but i'm getting used to that and all was fixed up.

i was feeling good and had a new plan for swim bike and run which is always mentally important. remember "new" meaning tested plan in training regarding equipment and nutrition.

race morning woke up feeling 100%, saw alice eve and dingo before and all were good, it was a perfect morning, sea a bit swelly but been through that many times. at hawaii, where to start is anyone's guess in the swim, i took up mid position in the line up about six deep back, people were squeezing and kicking me already with 5 mins to go, stuff this i thought so i decided to hit the front line, the cannon went off early as usual and i got a clear start for unusually ages until about half km later and bodies everywhere on top, under - u name it..

i decided to veer left out the traffic and few mins later i hear alice next to me shouting "hi john" haha funny, half way and about 31 mins, didn't mean much because i've been there before and finished in both 1:20 and 1:06 in previous years.. took a planned gel and off i went for home, felt like a million $ and passed about three packs with plenty of bubbles along the way, came out fresh as a daisy in 1:09 on my clock but was convinced it was about 1:04 pace which i found out after was pretty spot on coz it was a slow swim coz the swell

onto bike and legs felt great,i was about 700th apparently and ready to chip away gradually at my pace, mone told me dingo was 7 mins ahead and john mergler 3mins. i very soon started catching people i knew with good previous swims which always helps mentally

first 65k of bike is always crazy with packs forming and guys going inside u etc etc but after a while it sorted itself out and at the start of the 30k hawi hill to the turnaround i spotted two packs way ahead and off i went in pursuit with one other guy to keep myself focused, by half way up the hill i had them but was now alone but it made me feel strong so i continued knowing my downhill being lighter wouldn't be as effective

i spotted normann stadler coming down in first place way ahead of the big pack which the other top contenders were in.. at the top i spotted natascha badmann and worked out with her 15 min head start that i was a minute ahead of her? lovely i thought and more confidence for my head.. nutrition spot on and feeling great at top of hill and ready for the downhill and a bit of a breather until heavy aussie guy wizzes by with a "hi john" .. breather over i thought and chased after him but he got too far ahead but i thought i'll use him as a yardstick for my last 55k home which i planned to pick up the pace on.

about 20k down the hill i saw a familliar pair pf desoto pants with gel flasks in the pockets.. bloody dingo !!! haha i figured he was either rooted or saving himself but either way i was still going to continue my planned race.. weirdly enough before the end of the hill i saw the heavy guy again too, having a pee on his bike .. hmm this could be a good trio to work with going home i thought.. through the tough 2k climb and onto the 55k home mainly uphill and traditionally wind against the journey for home started.. i didn't see those two guys again but all i knew was wind and speed were good so i just kept going.. that i did in absolute pissing rain which must of been a godsend as it was starting to get really hot.

off the bike and onto the run omg it was humid and sun was out.. ouchy!! .. felt ok as possible after 180k 4:59 bike, bit of a sore back but pretty normal for me.. kept the pace i wanted for 15 k until the hills but head was exploding from heat.. couldn't see dingo, took lots of people with few taking me too.. early days early days.. mone told me i was 4th in age group but later said it was a mistake and i was 8th.. (cry) .. i could see john mergler at the turn about 7-10 mins ahead, saw eve on fire and then alice as we crossed paths.. up the big hill and onto the lava fields and i was hot as hell but back ache gone and starting to run well.. took two guys in my age group.. saw norm coming home with macca just behind.. hmm i think norm won't give that up.. into the energy lab, head really exploding and had to keep putting water on altho i had squelching in my shoes, not good but no choice.. got to special needs and they couldn't find it so utilised time by having a pee.. she brought the bag up to me and saw my willy lol .. lucky girl :-) ..up the energy lab hill which hurts and last 12k home through lava fields which was ouch every step, there's no description to weigh up that last 12k it hurts bad.. mone and amanda at 2k to go then downhill home on the hurting quads ..

woohooo 9:46 and a personal best for hawaii, ok 6th and no trophy this year but 6th in the world ain't really too bad .. what did i learn?.. get more aero on bike .. use nutrition plan again .. always wear a peak hat in hawaii.

wasn't well after the race as u can expect with some heat stroke, sun in your face for that long just isn't good

dingo eve and alice all came in with fantastic first time hawaii times....this place ain't easy i have to tell u.. the poor 12 hour plus people had to come home in torrential rain.. it was knee height down the finish stretch which i've never seen before.. this place always cooks up something .. norm and michellie won overall and had well deserved races.

hope you're all well see u soon ****note i'm at noosa expo coming weekend, those doing it see u at the expo

jh kona 23-10-06

ps thanks for all those who sent well wishes