Ken's Road to Kona

Welcome to KensRoadtoKona.com!

From Joe Average to top age grouper, this blog will document my attempt to qualify for the Ironman World Championships by 2011.

How ironic that the month I decide to begin my blog, Triathlete Magazine does an article titled “Qualify For Kona, in the next 5 months”. Obviously, this article is geared for those who are right on the cusp of qualifying…which I am not. I did however; take two things from this article:

Interesting article in the May edition of Triathlon Magazine

1. I’ll have to finish in less than 10 hours.

For all the races listed in the North America, the average times were all under 10 hours. This is quite a feat for someone who until recently, always dreamed of running under a 4 hour marathon. So how do I break it down?

-I’ll have to swim  1:10 or so.

-The bike, around 5 hours 30 minutes? 5:15?

- A sub 4 hour marathon,  probably around a 3:30-3:45.

Those target times hover the 10 hours mark excluding transition time. But to break it down further for Joe Average (i.e. me) running a 3:45 is basically a 7:45 min mile…after a 112 mile bike. I would have initially balked at this discovery; however at my first road race of the season, I hit an amazing PR of 1″36 for a 20k. The year before at the same race, I ran it in 1″58.  I was on fire, mostly because my heart rate never went over 153. Needless to say, my new training methods are paying off. So according to Mcmillion running, I should be able to run a 3:30 marathon with fresh legs.  I recognize I won’t be able to hold that pace after a run (at least for now), but it gives me confidence that my base work is reaping the benefits.

2. Sacrifices have to be made.

I’m currently put my self back on the dating market. And anyone who does triathlon even casually knows it is hard to balance work and training, let alone a relationship. Do I have to cut out drinking?

I will try to qualify at various Ironman course around the world and 70.3 events as well. The first official attempt being Ironman UK on August 2nd. However for the first year, I will make the rounds at popular local races in the Mid-Atlantic region of the United States. In the spirit of putting myself out there, my goal is to Ironman UK finish under 13 hours. Keeping myself modest…:-)

I see a few things already as being obstacles.

1. Food.

I’m from the South, and that means I love my sweets. I don’t over eat on actual food like I use to. I just LOVE sweets. Chocolate, cakes, Coke, you get the idea.

2. Sleep.

I train twice a day Tuesday through Friday and once on Saturday and Sunday for my long bike and long run respectively. However, during my base period, I missed a few workouts (OK, more than a few) cause I couldn’t go to bed on time. I have to get to bed before 10:30 in order for me to function the next morning and have enough energy to sustain in the afternoon. This has proven to be a challenge.

I hope you find this blog interesting and inspiring. I want this blog to be interactive so please leave comments and suggestions.

I’m ready for the journey, it begins today.

-ken