Back on the Big Island

Above, a surfer takes on the waves just south of where I'm staying, the Kona Isle Condos on Alii Drive: Mile 2 and mile 8 of the Ironman World Championship run course.

I'm finally back on the Big Island, after a considerably longer travel day than expected. I flew to San Francisco, where there should have been a 90-minute stopover before the flight to Kona. Our airplane was broken, however, so we had to wait for a replacement plane from Denver. The bad news is, we got into Kona four hours late. The good news is, the plane was a much larger Boeing 767, so everyone had room to spread out and get comfortable for the five-hour flight. And my bike made it!

So as I post this, I am sitting outside on the deck, listening to the surf crash on the rocks below. The thermometer reads 76 degrees F, and it's after midnight. The warm, humid air feels like a hug after hours of recycled airplane air.

Tomorrow's plan: An early swim down at the pier. Then breakfast, and a few cups of Kona's finest. I need to register for the race, then get in a brief bike ride and run. I'll post more photos tomorrow and continue the Kona Preview.

Aloha!