As my buddy Bill has brought his laptop, I get to bring my TriFuel brothers and sisters along for the end of this journey! Flew direct out of Phoenix to Honolulu and connected to Kona. Landed at 1:30PM local time. My coach and his sister, my mom, our friends Bill and Sara, and Jamie and I were all one the same flight. There were a ton of people, some racing but most coming to watch on the plane as well. It was very cool and so many people came by my seat to wish me luck, even the people at the airport!
Our connecting flight was an hour before Bill and Sara's, so we picked up our rental Town and Country mini van and headed into Kona. IT WAS PACKED! Triathletes everywhere, riding on the Queen K, running along Alii Drive. I stopped into the expo to buy a some stuff and then we went back out to the airport to get Bill and Sara. Weather was nice this afternoon, overcast, low 80's and humid. Not too windy, but I think it's blowing harder up the Queen K. Kona is EXACTLY like you imagine it and see on the TV coverage. We got to our condo by 3:30. It is on the water, about 6 miles south of downtown Kona. The waves are crashing outside out deck and the place is incredible. Beatifuly decorated, full kitchen, living room, the works. We love it.
Bill and I went for a run on Alii Drive nad saw a ton of bikers and runners. I saw some guys that looked like absolute machines. I am a very small fish in a very large pond here. Jamie and Sara made an awesome dinner of Tuna steaks, brocolli, and salad. Bill and I put together my bike, but I can't get the bars to sit right, so I'll take it to the many LBS in the morning after my swim in Kialua Bay and registration. It's now 7:45pm and I am wipped out. I'll check back in tomorrow.