Kona Lowdown

I have mixed feelings about race week getting underway in Kona this year. While I usually look forward to the live coverage and count the days to the TV special, as I become more involved in the triathlon world through coaching and working at a tri shop, I find the vast majority of triathletes (ie. age groupers) are irksomely naive to anything but Ironman racing.

How are you a pro triathlete if you don't do Ironman?
Isn't short course pretty much just a running race?
Isn't short course pretty much just a bike race?
You're allowed to draft?? That's so easy.
There's no way you can run that fast.

Just a sample of the daily comments I get from people who are either shocked to find that there is a world outside of Ironman, or are so caught up in mainstream or "pop" triathlon that they don't realize Olympic distance racing has more prize money, more international press coverage and stronger elite competition than long course.

While I could ramble about training volume, race tactics and overall talent of successful athletes at either discipline (maybe another time), I'll let the Iron-people have their week in bliss. And I still enjoy the lead up to Kona and will be glued to my computer screen for 8-10 hours next Saturday. So here's my take on the race this year:

Men

The obvious choice:
Craig Alexander - knows how to get it done on the Big Island, has never finished lower than second. He hasn't race much this year, but at a race in which he faced some of the biggest names in the sport (Rev3 Quassy) he ran down everyone to take the title. You can bet Kona has been the only thing on his mind all year. Plus I met him in St. Croix and I have a bit of a man crush.

The contenders:
Chris Lieto - second last year, has had strong 70.3 results this season. Continually proves that if you ride fast enough you don't have to worry about running.
Terenzo Bozzone - ripped up the 70.3 scene all year and second at Ironman NZ, look for him to have a big day at the Ironman distance.
Andy Potts - has found success at every distance, having won his first Ironman at Coeur d'Alene this year. Watch for him to lead out the swim and stay out front for a while.

The dark horse:
Chris McCormack - cocky as hell and almost as full of himself as Normann Stadler, when Macca decides to finish a race he's one of the most successful athletes in history. Won three years ago, DNF (mechanical) two years ago, last year blew up at 10 miles running like an idiot trying to stay in front of Crowie. If his ego doesn't get in the way, Macca could be back on the podium this year.

Women

The obvious choice:
Chrissie Wellington - she did 8:19 this year. Need I say more?

The contenders:
Mirinda Carfrae - based on her recent Slowtwitch swim challenge she can't swim to save her life...but that didn't stop her from breaking the run course record in Kona last year. She's more comfortable on the bike this year so look for her to be fighting for second place again.
Tereza Macel - She's won four Ironmans over the last two years, finished fourth in Kona last year, and she's cute as a button.

The dark horse:
Sam McGlone - I need another Canadian in here. Second place in her Kona debut, she did not race on the Big Island last year but managed a win and course record in Arizona the following month. Look for her to be back at it this year.

Stay tuned for my official podium picks coming later this week.