THE PRE-RACE REPORT IS NOW COMPLETE

My pre-race Kona report would not have been complete without the two missing days. So, here they are, Wednesday and Thursday, leading up to the race day.

The registration day. Volunteers from all over the world descended upon Kona, as they do every year, to make this race a fabulous event.

The formality. Picking up another backpack. I am not sure how many I got, but this one is special, for sure.

On Wednesday, a "party ship" arrived in Kona and added another 4,000 people to the mix. Ironically, during my layover in Dallas, TX, on my way to Hawaii I met a gentleman who was flying to Honolulu for a Hawaiian cruise that was to arrive in Kona on Wednesday. So, there he was. The world can be small, indeed.

The UFO has also arrived. Paragliding is in my to do "bucket list." Another reason to return to Kona. If anything were to go wrong, at least, there would be a soft landing.

I am still not sure what that lava wonder is. Located by the Queen K Highway, it looks like a mini volcano crater, but on a closer inspection it appears to be a cave.

Back in Kona for another worthy event - "The Underpants Run." Waiting for the runners on Thursday morning with my Czech and Canadian Friends. Some may be ready to run.

And here they come. Several thousand runners takes part in this fundraising event which is a part of the Ironman extravaganza.

I suppose, some place, they must make them that size.

It has to be a rhetorical question.

Multitasking at its best

Somewhere on the Kona Pier. Well, need I say more?

With TJ Tollakson at the Diamond Bike team breakfast meeting. TJ is a multiple pro Ironman champion and the developer of the Diamond Bike technology.

With the team and the bike.

Until Thursday I only knew him from the Tour de France race. Ryder Hasjedal is one of the best road cyclists in the world. Right T2? And why did I think that cyclists are short?

An icing on the cake. The trip to Kona would not have been complete without meeting Mark Alen, the 6-time Ironman World Champion and an icon in the triathlon world.

Overlooking the bay, a relaxing lunch with Kasia and Alison. Yes, the socks seem to make a difference.

The final look at the Ironman Village ......

...... and the palms.

I promise, the next blog will be from the race.

THE HALLOWEEN

I am about three weeks behind the schedule on writing the Kona finale and I promise to finish it by the end of this weekend. Since my return, each day has been very busy at work and for the last week I have been nursing a lower back muscle spasm.

Anyway, today is October 31st and the national holiday - the Halloween. Most people dress up, or down, for this occasion. However, today, Megan made my day. Of all the choices she had, she picked to be an Ironman.

And not just any Ironman. Megan was in Kona during the race week, but could not stay to watch the race. Today, for the Halloween, she was an IRONTOM!!!

IN LESS THAN ELEVEN HOURS .........

......... the cannon will go off to commence the start of the 35th Ironman World Championship. Over 2,000 athletes this year will dive into the pristine water of the Kailua Bay. I wish to thank you for the well-wishes I received and promise that I will leave all I have on that course. The weather conditions will likely be oppressive. Between the wind, heat, and the seemingly endless miles of he lava fields, the race will be a true test of a physical and psychological endurance.

Despite my best intentions, I have not been able to update the blog each, but will definitely catch up on it right after the race. Attending the sports medicine conference and daily training sessions have consumed a lot of my time.

The alarm clock is set for 2:30 in the morning. I am looking forward to having a good day, tomorrow.

Athletes were still training on Queen K today.

And so was I.

The bike caught the attention of a few camera lenses.

On my way to rack the bike this afternoon.

A sea of bicycles.

And here is my Blue "K" in a great spot. Right by the "Bike Out" gate.

Among a sea of transition bags.

Next time I will be standing here will be after crossing the finish line just behind me. It will be a party!!!

And the most touching moment of the day upon returning home this afternoon.  It needs no comment. Thank you Alison!!!

And finally! www.ironmanlive.com

IRONMAN WEEK HAS OFFICIALLY OPENED

Tuesday was another day filled with multiple events.The afternoon, marked the beginning of the Ironman week. The "temperature" is raising. Suddenly, English is not necessarily the predominant language spoken in Kona.

Its official.

I am not quite sure how many athletes will start the race, but I definitely plan to be one of them.

Earlier today, I attended another interesting day at the Ironman Sports Medicine Conference. Today's topic was "Performance and Health." Individual seminars covered subjects such as common running injuries, barefoot/minimal footwear running, altitude and resistance training, as well as the role of exercise in disease prevention. Culminating the day, DJO Global presented a lecture on a ReactionWeb knee brace.

Doning the ReactionWeb brace and learning how to walk in it.

Meeting interesting people all the time. Sherry is a retired physician and a National Head Coach for the Wounded Worriers Foundation, where she works with a wide variety of disabled individuals. In the past, I have learned a great deal from my former Master Swim coaches in Vermont and New Hampshire, and I continue adding new skills to my swim "toolbox."

The theory.

And practice. I plan to be "water waltzing" the entire 2.4 miles on Saturday.

Another swim training practice in the turquoise waters of the Kailua Bay. The workouts are getting shorter and intense.

"Waltzing" from one buoy to the next. I think, the right elbow may be a little bit to high.

This is very comfortable.

And so is this. For the first time ever, I was able to put my hands behind my neck and float, almost falling asleep. Thank you salinity.

The day culminated with the Parade of Nations. The streets were lined up with spectators cheering on each nation. I was asked, how do you say "Ironman" in Polish? So here it is: "Czlowiek z Zelaza."

Our contingent.

An impressive and creative Canadian team. Ehhh.

A "cautious" Kiwi team.

Marching along the Alii Drive. For a secret reason, this time, I am not caring the flag.

The 1 km-long parade culminated at the gate to the Ironman Village.

At the entrance to the Village I heard his voice - how is your shoulder? It was the "Voice of the Ironman" himself, Mike Reilly.

Always classy, multiple world champion, Sydney Olympics silver medalist, Michele Jones from Down Under.

This lady does not need an introduction. Four-time Ironman World Champion, Chrissy Wellington. Her winning record is unbelievable. She has never lost an Ironman race as a professional triathlete.

This lady has a story which reaches back to 1982. As many might remember, in that Ironman race Julie Moss was leading the women's race until about 50 yards from the finish where she collapsed from dehydration and electrolyte imbalance. As she was crawling toward the finish line, there from behind came Cathleen McCartney to win this race. This event was captured on NBC's Wild World of Sports and the rest is history. Kathleen will be racing this year again.

With Dirk Bockel from Luxemburg. One of the best in the business and a 2008 Beijing Olympian.

Another piece of trivia. These two one-piece suits were designed by a local artist and manufactured by ZOOT following the first Ironman race in 1978. Things have change a little bit since then, but not by much.

And, here is "our After." How about yours?