Big Island Hawaii Podcast

Finally catching up on the Blog, our apologies for the long delay.

Thanks again to GoToMyPC for sponsoring the show. Check out the free download at http://www.gotomypc.com/podcast to try it out for 30 days.

Mahalo to all the Ironman volunteers and the hard work that they did to make the race a success.

Aid Station waiting for Athletes

The week before the Ironman was hectic as usual but very interesting for me. The usual last minute arrangements for Ice and supplies went pretty smooth but as usual race day was a different story. The highlight of the week was the tour that Jen and I got of the USS Lake Erie…a great honor and priviledge to associate with all the sailors on board the ship.

My Ironman day started at Midnight with the first supplies delivery and ended at 1 am on Sunday. A few glitches…a rolls delivery gone bad, but all the aid stations did their job with enthusiasm and Aloha.

I did forget in the shows to mention that the Navy Seals did a jump before the race start, and that 2 of them actually competed in the race after jumping. One of them did the bike and run in his fatigues and combat boots! WhoooWaa!

Thanks to all the listeners who have emailed, especially those from Japan. We might be opening up a phone line so that you can call in any comments or questions that you have for us.

Mahalo,

Joe

I’m high above the Pacific as I write this…a 2 day trip to San Francisco, definitly not a pleasure trip. Just more poking and core sampling at UCSF Medical Center. I was told to eat light the day before the tests which is today. No chance to eat anything for breakfast…no lunch because of no time between flights. I’d call that light! So I’m stuck with “lunch box” service on this Hawaiian Air flight. I can’t wait….will it be mystery meat on a croisant? With a few grapes on the side? Or an apple? They made an anouncement requesting a doctor, nurse or EMT. There’s a lady with Asthma who is requesting assistance. Darn I didn’t pack the inhalers so I can’t come to the rescue.

It looks like we have all the aid stations covered. Still unsure about one Bike aid station hopefully we’ll have an answer today. Hmm is it actually yesterday now that I’m flying East and it will 9p when landing?

The first course of airplane food is here ..juice(or beer for $6) and the smallest bag of pretzel type snacks I have ever seen. The package is so small they can’t put the ingrediants or nutritional information on it. “please call 800-441-6887 or email Delyse for this information.” Well whatever is in it does taste good! Nothing like a little salt to satisfy.

The LCD monitors have the local Hawaii public access channel playing now but they did cruise the aisles hawking “headsets for movies 5 dollars!” sort of like I imagine any peddler from 100 years ago would do as they walked between the tenements and slums of any large city. “Headsets for movies! $5! Fresh tomatoes, fresh meat! $5″

My seatmate, a nervous young man, has ordered 2 beers and is relishing them like heroin. Which actually might be a much better choice than I made with the juice.

The Chinese couple in front of me constantly get up and then sit down, their seat apparently not a comfortable fit. “Psst..POP! That would be beer #2.

The air conditioning is obviously set to “San Francisco” since people are quickly searching thru their carryons for more clothes. I suffer with the airplane blanket alone. At least they didn’t charge me for it. Upon further examination it does appear to be made of a material that neither conserves nor imparts warmth (see photo of blue blob.)

Oops the guards err… Flight Attendants are begining to start the meal service let’s see what goodies await.

Yes indeed the turkey crossant sandwich with mystery white cheeZe. They did offer pasta but that had more mystery than I cared to investigate.

The battery on the phone is losing charge quicker than usual it appears despite being in airplane mode.

Just landed.. It’s a little cold but not too bad 60 degrees. Someone took my carryon by mistake but finally got it straightened out. Checked in at the travelodge in Millbrae. Wow all the stores are open 24 hours. Indeed the big city.

Just finished the Run for Hope at Haulalai Resort. Very big turnout of athletes…talked to Annette, Carlos, Betsy, and of course Jen who setup the whole thing. It used to be the Terry Fox Run but those races can only be at 4 Seasons owned hotels in the chain. 4seasons here is owned by Michael Dell.

Spending some time at A Bay watching the canoe races. And of course seeing if some of the clubs can help with the Aid Stations at the Ironman Race in October. Had a chance to thank those clubs that helped during the Honu race last May.

Also ran into Helen and Ric to talk story about New Zealand since I was there last year. Helen is from New Zealand and she said the next time I go I should talk to her about staying at her father’s place.

Jack and the Ripper’s are playing music and everyone is enjoying the beach, music, and food.

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Since it seems like I’m always at the Old Kona Airport when I’m in Kona I thought I’d put up a few photos from there. The plan was to develope this site into a recreational center for Kailua town (Kona) and has somewhat succeeded. The public swimming pool and Gym are here as are soccer fields, baseball fields and a skateboard park. There is also the 1k running/walking track which is where I’m usually at. The Kai O’Pua Canoe Club has their heiau here with plans to finish the construction on it by the end of the year.

The original plans for the area were much more ambitious but were scrapped due to budget cutbacks.

The beach area has gotten rundown over the years with the restrooms badly in need of repairs and maintenance. I think it is still a nice beach just hang out at…plenty of shady spots and a great view but it’s not a good swimming or body boarding beach. It is utilized by many locals as a birthday, family celebration area with plenty of room for large Ohana gatherings. The photos are of the running track which has been enhanced with sand sculptures and signs by the organizations that have volunteered to maintain some of the areas. The one of the monk seal is so cute…it looks like a puppy dog!

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Before the Volcano weekend I did the Pedal til you puke, run til you rolf race. All uphill and believe me it was uphill!

Then came the weekend at Volcano. I did the 10 mile with my great friend Toni. The new course was very nice…mostly running in the rain forest. A spectacular day, blue skies and sunshine!

A few words about Babette Kulka…a great example for everyone. I was lucky enough to meet Babette and help her in her Ironman races. She will definitely be missed. Aloha Babette. Http://www.gobabette.com

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We spent the 4th with friends in Waikoloa Village. Fireworks, hula by Susie and Sydney, fire dancing by Toni and Kyle.

This podcast sponsored by GoToMyPC…check out their free offer at www.gotomypc.com/podcast or go to our website and click on the banner link. www.hawaiianpod.com.

We had a great time at Toni, Felix, and Kelly’s houses in Waikoloa Village. Sydney and Susie danced hula, Kyle did his fire dance with Toni and all the local food was terrific.

A little talk about the economy here in Hawaii…mortgages, the price of gas, of food etc.

Hawaii will begin exporting trash instead of using it to create energy…go figure.

Colt Brennen a local favorite athlete signs with the Washington Redskins.

Mahalo to all the listeners in Japan, Korea, Europe, and Iraq too.

Joe

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On this show I give you a look at my race day when doing the Kona Half-marathon. Still voggy but we lucked out in that the worst of the vog stayed away until later in the day. The female and male winners of the Marathon finished 8-10 minutes ahead of the second place finishers so conditions were pretty good. It was humid to start but it never got that much more humid plus the sun was hidden mostly by high clouds and vog. My back had gone out on me the week before the race so I took it easy at the start mostly walking until the half-marathon turnaround. 11 minutes slower than last year but that was okay. I did try compression socks (knee-high) which worked well to keep leg cramps away but I got blisters on the bottom of my feet which hasn’t happened in 25 years. Ouch!

Thanks to Jon Kunitake for sponsoring the race and the volunteers who helped!

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A behind the scenes look at the Ironman 70.3 Hawaii Triathlon race. My day as the Aid Station Director for the race. Thanks to everyone who volunteered at the aid stations, and special thanks to Toni, Jen, Gordy, Kelly, Kyle, and Whitty!

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Just a short program before the Ironman 70.3 Hawaii triathlon. Things are a little busy but we wanted to give an update on preparations and Island activities. The Ironman Office has moved from Kuakini Tower to a new location in the old industrial area. And we get a new carpet!