so since that first ironman didn't work out the way matt wanted matt was determined to try it again. he knew there was a half ironman in kona in june that some of his friends were doing so he immediately (like when we got back to the condo) got on the website to register but it was already closed. that was not good enough, he wrote them a letter about not finishing for all the reasons he didn't finish and that he had to do this race. they emailed back and said we will let you in! so here we go again!
this weekend we went to big island to watch matt do the hawaii 70.3 half ironman!
he was more prepared this time, knew what to expect, was much more laid back and relaxed and had more fun! it was still a very tough race, this is not for wimps! we had almost the opposite conditions~ HOT! matt likes the heat but it was about 90 and running on the black cement did not make it any cooler. the sunburns the next day on the participants looked very painful!!
ready to start the swim. 1.2 miles in the ocean. the water was a good temp but the people were crazy. all you heard people talking about was how bad the swim was. people were just on top of each other , punching , kicking, elbowing. sportsmanship out the window!
not sure if you can see matt's head directly under the finish sign. it was a lot easier to see him at each point this time.
running to the bike transition
change clothes, put bike shoes on, get food and water into clothes and on bike and take off!
all done with the bike, ready to run. a lady at this point asked us if he was doing a relay, we said no why ? she said he looks so fresh like he's just starting! ironically this is where it got hard. running is matt's event but after swimming 1.2 miles and biking the 56 miles in the heat it is hard to keep your energy up for the 13 mile run!at one point of the race he met up with his friend denise from work. they pushed each other through and finished together!
denise and matt at the finish, time 6 hours 30 min.!
it's over, you can stop running forest!
matt, denise and mark, her husband, all finishers!
denise and matt at the finish, time 6 hours 30 min.!
it's over, you can stop running forest!
matt, denise and mark, her husband, all finishers!if you notice matt's number was 853, when they stenciled him for the swim they were a little dislexic?!
the event was held at the fairmont orchid resort. they were good rates offered to race participants so it was heavenly. we just had to ride a bus to the swim but the rest of the transitions were at the hotel so while he was out biking and running we were doing this:
we would just run over when it was time. it was so hot that's all we could do. the big island is much hotter and dryer. it was nice to come home to mililani where it is always breezy!
matt, liz, denise and mark all friends from work
good job guys, just finishing is a feat but you guys are awesome!
the event was held at the fairmont orchid resort. they were good rates offered to race participants so it was heavenly. we just had to ride a bus to the swim but the rest of the transitions were at the hotel so while he was out biking and running we were doing this:
we would just run over when it was time. it was so hot that's all we could do. the big island is much hotter and dryer. it was nice to come home to mililani where it is always breezy!
matt, liz, denise and mark all friends from work
good job guys, just finishing is a feat but you guys are awesome!
