Special edition - Pre-race release
The highly anticipated Ishigaki Gazette is available again - for free!
First: the concern...
Your favorite reporter will not travel this year due to the financial crisis / budget cuts.
No, it's not for that reason but it could be a trendy excuse.
So even though I'll stay in Tokyo, riding with Sullivan in Oi-Futo while you guys have fun in Okinawa, there is still room for the Gazette.
Second: the Gazette...
Who's out:
> Paul & Guillaume - couldn't managed to get over there : (
> David - in boxes and working on his round shape : o
> Olivier - family pressure... too many kids around
> Hiro - working to pay his trip to World champs' (70.3 - Half Ironman) : )
> Richard - either he lost his wallet, either he went to London for the marathon : )
> Franck, Renaud, Bruno, Luc & the VTP - couldn't make the trip from France or HK this time : (
> Jerome - focusing a the gizillion things he's doing, especially swim coaching, scuba diving and getting his Judo 4th dan (or what ever it's called)
Who's in (new):
We have a huge wagon of fresh meat! And some are fast meat!
> Jack - just joined the gang and fits right in! Watch out for his spirit!
> Laurent - and his brother (forgot the name... I'm gonna get fired with such poor reporting facts) - Beware, this is one of the hot guns this year. He can do well in the 3 disciplines + pacing it all.
> Denis - After his successful debut in Choshi, Denis is back for more. Taking evening private swimming lessons he's ready to rumble.
> Olaf - needless to say, but that guy can run! And ride! Fortunatly for the others, he still has room for improvement in swimming (bad news for next year!).
> Not your common newbie guy but on the contrary, may be the most experience guy around and bound to Kona in the fall for Ironman Worlds, I call Ben!!! With strong skills (he'll draft the life out of you in the water) and such a boost in motivation, he's gonna be on fire!
> James - Not Andrew! I have to apoligize - I kept call him Andrew for a while... Anyway, determined learner at the pool, strong biker, his run will be an adventure (I don't think he likes running...) : )
> Marc-Andre - Other determined (stuburn?) swim student. Man, he made tremendous improvements!
> Naomi - her first Ishigaki, solo. Well Daddy will be right behind making sure no boys come even close... I wish I could see the swim!
Who's back:
That's a long list & I know I'll miss people - sumimasen!
> our favorite rugbyplayer, looking more like a ballerine lately thanks to his IM NZ preparation, is looking to crush the course. I personnaly look forward to the results: can he do the double 40 (over 40km/h on the bike, and a sub 40mn run behind). Yeap, that pressure on his shoulder. I pay 1 beer for each (that applies to anyone doing - I need to go buy a case of beer this year)
> Eric won't be racing in a Provencal outfit, but he's more ready than ever
> The Martin couple - they're back, and for a good cause - do check w/them for donations! (I'm serious here)
> David, our most recent Kona IM finisher, is back for the Nth times. Make room on the bike - another crusher on the way!
> Olivier & Patrice are back - preparing deligently for the race under the Sakuras, with some border-line-legal sport drinks...
> Stu, after facing back issues and other adversities, is the fittest guy in town!
> Didier, sharpening his new bike, new suit, new everything, is ready to have a fantastic time
> Hans having prepared intensively through some cross training (skiing + Roppongi?) is fine tuned to have a blast.
> Another couple, Armel & Luc, more incisive than ever, should avoid doping test prior to the race... Pre-race warm up starts Sunday early morning, not Saturday evening in the disco clubs... : )
> Daddy Vincent, mentioned above, found his excuse to take it easy this year, in spite of the sweat looking bike...
Who's next (they might not even know about it):
> Vincent, after completing sucess Tokyo Marathon, Ishigaki is the next thing on the list
> Francois, always looking for something to compete vs his younger brother - "I did Ishigaki" is a must
> Anne, Sprint 2009, Olympic 2010, normal continuity
Third, last minute advices
> Have fun, have fun, have fun! And take pictures for us! : )
> Do put your googles first and then the swim cap. You won't lose the googles if someone gives you a big hug in the swim
> Do go to the Saturday swim - it's time to test the wetsuit (only 1 at a time please) and learn about the course
> Go from the swim to the your bike rack to avoid getting lost during the race
> Bring plastic bags - 1 to keep bike stuff dry, 1 for the run stuff (if it rains), 1 to get the wetsuit on (try on Saturday as well: put a foot in the bag, then put your fot in the wetsuit, repeat with the other foot & hands)
> Helmet first, then the bike.
> Don't forget your race bib (belt or pined)
> Keep it fun, no drafting on the bike
> Pace yourself
> There is a bus tour to see the full bike course, consider it if you're a first timer...
> Admire the bikes - you'll use some sweet bikes: Cervelos, Scott, Karbona, Trek, Argon, ... Enjoy!
> Move around a little (arms & legs) prior to the start - get your heart up to 120 bpm (if you have a monitor) so it goes smoothly when you get in...
> Drink & eat like you do in training
> And did I say to have fun?
D. Holderbach
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