KONA FOR AGE-GROUPERS
Want to know what it’s really like to compete on the Big Island? We asked three GB age-groupers to share their race experience and top tips…
Kona is one of those races that gets under your skin. For many of us, the footage on Trans World Sport was one of those slightly surreal shared childhood memories. Watching furiously sweating athletes in very small neon kit beasting themselves to within an inch of their lives, while we ate our Frosties in our pyjamas is something that will be with us for life. But how many of us actually thought that would be us one day? Well, for thousands of amateur triathletes, this dream has been realised. And if you’re tempted yourself, here’s some advice from three of this year’s British finishers...
Congratulations on finishing Hawaii – how was it?
Jane Hansom: It went well! I’d been so busy with work I seriously hadn’t thought about a race plan! I chose front and centre for the swim and experienced a very aggressive start. It’s tiring having to fight like that at the start of a race! I then got on the bike in 13th place and rode my way into first and a 9min lead. That was a great feeling. The thought of getting caught kept me going on the run!
Brian Fogarty: Not good. It was my fourth time in Kona and I was in great shape – ready to put in my best performance – unfortunately it turned out to be my worst!
Andy Greenleaf: It was honestly the toughest thing I’ve ever done, but I’m delighted with the result. I stuck to my plan and kept a relatively steady pace for the swim and bike, so I started the run feeling as at my best as possible. The closing stages of the run were a struggle and I had to pull out a sprint finish to hold on for fifth in my category.
Talk us through how you qualified… JH: I qualified in South Africa. I loved it, athough I had an injury so it wasn’t an easy day.
BF: I came second in my category at Ironman Lanzarote. I hoped the conditions would put me in good stead for Kona. AG: I qualified at Ironman Wales. It’d never been my plan to qualify at that event, however, having been disqualified
at the 70.3 World Championships, I had frustration and a season of training to make up for.
Was Kona always your goal for 2016? JH: Yes. I came second in Kona last year, which was a massive surprise, so winning 2016 was always the goal! BF: Yes, although Lanza and IM UK were also big goals.
AG: After the London Marathon in April, I turned my focus to Kona. I gradually built up the volume of training over the summer months, raced at middle distance and made sure I was capable of an Ironman effort by September.
What would your top tips be for anyone hoping to get to Kona in 2017?
JH: Pick your race and go to the roll-down. South Africa is a good one for the Brits. Personally, I was sad to see that many South Africans didn’t take their place this year.
AG: Try to qualify as early as possible to ensure you have maximum time to prepare. Pick an event with more slots available. Don’t underestimate the effort required even to qualify – Ironman events normally bring out the best athletes across the region all vying for a Kona slot, so you will likely have to peak in fitness twice in 2017. How did you acclimatise to the Hawaii conditions? JH: I trained in Jeju, South Korea, with the TriSutto squad for 10 days before the race. I did this last year, too.
BF: I used the sauna and practised overheating a lot when doing my indoor training. I also went out to Kona a few days earlier than normal, which allowed time to get a few hard days’ training in and to help acclimatise.
AG: I did very little acclimatisation before reaching Kona, but arriving a week before the race gave me plenty of time to get used to the heat and windy conditions.
What on the course was tougher than expected? JH: The swim start took me by surprise. I’ll take my boxing gloves next time! BF: The wind on the bike seemed harder this year than normal. The heat on the bike was also worse than I’ve previously experienced.
AG: Concentrating on avoiding the large packs of cyclists on the bike stage! I wanted to keep to the rules and never put myself in a position of being caught by the occasional draftbuster. Second was the heat. Nothing I’d done really prepared me for running a marathon in 30°C-plus. Was there anything you found easier than expected? JH: The last 15km of the run. That’s because I had company in Rafal Medak, who I train with. BF: No! AG: Nothing whatsoever was easy about the race!
Where did you stay? Any travel tips? JH: In a condo I found on Airbnb 1.5 miles from town. Away from the madness but close enough to run to the pool.
AG: I stayed in the hills about seven miles out of town, near the airport. The positives are that it’s cooler, allows you the opportunity to get away from everything in town, and there’s plenty of space. But it’s almost essential to have your own transportation.
Where’s good to eat/train/hang out in Kona? JH: I like to eat in. But Lava Java is nice for breakfast, and the staff are lovely. Daylight Mind is a favourite of mine, too – they do great salads for lunch. BF: There are lots of amazing restaurants and cafés all over the island. Training is amazing out there – you actually have your own lane to cycle in along the bike course.
AG: Early morning swimming at The Pier is a great way to catch up with other competitors and supporters, and there’s even a coffee boat 750m out to sea that you can have a (slightly salty) coffee at!
The pants run… Yes or no?! JH: Not this year. I was so tired from working all week!
AG: Don’t miss it! Where else can you run around outside in a pair of pants and visor?
Finally… what’s the one golden piece of advice you’d give a Kona first-timer? JH: Don’t change a thing. It’s just another race. BF: Play the safe game. Don’t get carried away early.
AG: It’s much more than just a race. Take as much in as possible, as you don’t know when you’ll ever be back.