OCTOBER 12, 2004: I can't believe how good I am feeling.  I am really relaxed and seem to be surrounded by some really positive people.  I have run into so many energetic and fun triathletes on this trip.

I am staying really close to Keahou Bay this year away from all the craziness of Alii Drive.  We swam this morning in the Keahou Bay.  It was a short 30 minute swim just to stay loose.  The water was nice and warm.  I hate swimming in cold water; so, I was in a really good mood after that swim.  Had a quick breakfast and hooked up with the Finis Swim Clinics at the old Kona pool which is at about 1500 feet above Kona.  It is a really nice pool and very quiet.  It was the perfect location for the Clinic.  I got to swim and do the clinic with the group.  The group was fun.  Sometimes at these swim clinics people are pretty stressed about the upcoming swim at Ironman but this group was really laid back.

After the swim I went to the Expo to pick up some sweet new wheels from Zipp!  You should see these babies.  WOW!  I will probably only run the rear and use last year's front wheel - you will understand why when you see the wheel set up.  Congrats ZIPP on once again leading the industry with wheel innovation!

I was supposed to do a run with some tempo sections in the Energy Lab; but, for some reason I had a strong pull to run in The Pit which is part of the old course.  I love The Pit and wish it was still part of the race.  Maybe one day it will come back.  Anyway, I ran into The Pit from my condo then added on a bit onto a trail that links off The Pit road for a short out and back.  As I made my way back on to the road I saw this guy up ahead.  His run style looked familiar but I couldn't make out who it was.  All of a sudden the guy stopped and was looking up into a tree.  I only know one guy who would stop his run to see what kind of bird was chirping in a tree - Mark Allen.  My coach!  I got to run with Mark Allen.  I am still on a high!  He is staying at the same condo development as me and so we cruised in together.  You can't get a better day than that: a run with Mark Allen in Kona!

I was on a total high after that run.  I had a quick lunch then headed off for a high cadence recovery spin.

I am waiting for this TV crew to show up for an interview.  After the interview, we are going out for an early then Diner then it is Season 3 of Alias on DVD. 

Tomorrow is going to be a very busy day with training, sponsor stuff, media requests and a massage.

More tomorrow.

Pete in Kona.