Today was a wake up to a serious change in temperature.  Apparently things are supposed to be cooler for the next couple of days (until Tuesday apparently.)  I was wearing a jacket today!!  It's tough to tell exactly what the temperature is as the humidity changes things so much, but my guess is that the air temperature was only about 15 degrees.  Now coming from where it was?  That's astonomical!  Some of the locals told me that this was expected to happen for these few days but I didn't believe them.  I couldn't imagine such a change in temperature, but again, this is China - expect the unexpected.

After a shorter swim and a run with some 5 minute efforts to keep things fresh I had the whole day to myself - and it was only noon.  I considered hanging super low and not leaving the hotel as the heat and adjustments have been a lot this week, but I just couldn't do it. This is China, too much to see and experience.  And honestly, the race is still a week away, it's not quite time to get super anal, and that coming from a full on Type A triathlete (is there any other kind?)

On my way out to the bus that takes you into the city I met some Australians (or blokes I guess I should say if I am to be socially accurate) and a Dutch couple. It was interesting, because I've spent quite a bit of time on my own since arriving which I have been happy with actually...quietly taking it all in.  But today I woke up feeling like I wanted to start branching out a bit.  I guess the universe must have sensed this because only hours later I met these really cool people who were a pleasure to hang out with!   

We ended up spending the afternoon together checking out the sites.  Lauren just arrived in China a couple of days ago and has never been to China or any part of Asia before.  We started out with some sushi on the 8th floor of the "plaza" where the Dutch couple proceeded to seriously impress me with their intake. Nice job, guys!  I was craving some vegetables and protein...so manged a plate of some bok choy and salmon sashimi which may sound a bit odd, but it really hit the spot after relying largely on bars and oatmeal except for my outings to the city.  (Not exactly wanting to carbo load yet if I can help it thanks!)  We then moved on to the market...Lauren (Australian) has never been to Asia before and so it was quite the things to watch her take it all in.  After three years living in Taiwan and previous travelling in Asia the local markets still overwhelm me, I can't imagine her sensory overload today.  

This is TRULY a crazy place to do an Ironman, but you know, the more time I spend here, the more I see that it really just all somehow 'works.'  You look at the buildings on the street and they literally look like they might collapse, but they don't (or at least not on a regular basis!!!)  Things just keep ticking here, no matter how much the appearance of it all might make it seem impossible.  Although I haven't done the race yet, just from my current experience of being here I would encourage anyone wanting to mix Ironman with Adventure....to come to China.  It's not like showing up in a western country to race. This is a level of "Ironman" all unto itself.  A level where the race is really just the icing on the cake.  But again...talk to me a few hours after the race when I can't feel my body (or maybe WISH I couldn't feel my body - yah that's more like it) as I may be singing a different tune....but somehow I don't think I will.  I think that racing is a life experience that can strengthen you in more ways that one, but then combine it with an environment like China...serious double whammy!!!!!  Sweet!

 At the same time, racing in China also makes you realize just how absolutely ridiculously fortunate we are to have all that we have.  Yesterday I was running down some farm roads and I saw a woman wearing two different colored sandals, her weathered face and hands spoke volumes of the challenges and difficulties that she has faced in her life.  I passed her while I was running and I had to wonder just what she thought of me.  To have the time and the energy to be able to run for the sheer pleasure of it (or even for a JOB!!!)...this is a concept I am sure she cannot comprehend.  And fair enough.  The idea of not having to tend to the rice fields for 16 hours a day just to maintain some form of survival is probably not even something her mind has ever entertained.   Although Ironman is tough...oh yes....it is tough....living the life that so many of the Chinese do here on a daily basis is far, far tougher.  We slap ourselves on the back for a job well done when we finish a race, or when we succeed in meeting our goals/dreams, but how many even have the opportunity to even consider chasing after a dream...let alone even have the dream to begin with?   And you know....that's something I am filing away for this race (and for future races too.)  To always race with my very best effort and to never give up, not only for myself, but for all those who may never have even a glimpse of any of the opportunities that I, or any other 'westerner' has been given in life. 

 In fact, I have made a little pact with myself, or actually more of a realization than anything.  When I am racing next Sunday and I see the locals on the side of the road with perplexed looks on their faces, I am going to remember that I am racing this, not only for myself, but also for them.  That I recognize just how lucky I was to have been born in Canada and to have the physical ability to swim, bike, and run.  I will see the strength in their eyes that they have used to get through their own challenges, and will channel it into my race so that I can take little pieces of them with me during the race.  As cheesy as it might sound - to me it is the only way a person can make sense of the complete inequalities that exist in our world.  

Gan Bai, China!  (Cheers, China!)

Today being an easy day I was able to fit in my easy spin, stretching, Trigger Point, race visualizing, emails,and a few race preparations on my bike (setting up my flat wing) all by noon.  This gave me the rest of the day to check out Haikou a bit more, which Eric also reminded me to do....take some of it in....don't get stuck TOO much in race mode.) Good advice.  This was a perfect scenario, as a few German-speaking athletes started to show up at the hotel which started to make me a little excited about starting to work on race prep details.  I reminded myself, however, that there is plenty of time for this...and that a mental break was the cat's me-ow for today (Anybody ever wonder where that strange saying came from?  I'd sure love to know!!!)

I will say that so far here in Haikou I have been very fortunate with an incredible 'balance' that has been handed to me.  The hotel is clean, comfortable, and relaxing...it allows for great de-compressing and focus. Yet, beyond the 'gates of the hotel' is a world that begs to be explored, and it is the ultimate 'get away' particularly when you have difficulty imagining an event such as Ironman taking place here in a week's time.  Having the opportunity to literally step in and out of two seemingly different worlds is a great way to maintain that balance to your mental preparation for a race.  Hotel = Focus.  Beyond the hotel = Wander Lust. 

Anyways, I got off the bus (sadly I cannot rent a scooter here....) and headed a different direction from my first visit to this area.  The first time, I was dropped at the 'plaza' stop, I started heading left...but the bus driver stopped me and told me to go right.  Sure enough...right was the path of least resistance.  Modern'ish plaza with 'sort of' western-type comforts.  Nice the first day for sure, but not for today.  Today...I wanted to see a bit more of the 'real' Haikou.

 So, I proceeded into an alleyway with sights and smells where even after having lived in Asia for three years....still shocked and overloaded my sensory system.  You want some examples? Partially butchered pigs laying out in the sun to dry for 'further butchering' in the very near future.   A woman sleeping on two plastic stools pushed together while right behind her chickens squawk away which are grotesquely mashed into horrifically cramped cages (something I will never be able to witness without cringing.) The pungent and musty smell of fish, pickled EVERYTHING, fruits like jackfruit...that are so sweet - not even the best candy can compare, cheap plastic, incense, and everything else under the sun.   Ummmm....and I'm racing an Ironman here in a week? 

Another thing that continues to strike me about Asia is how people just 'do what they will' and no one even flinches.  Things like picking one's nose or burping really loud in public are just completely normal.  No one even flinches.  I even saw a woman walking down the street with pink curlers in her hair this afternoon. She didn't seem to care, and neither did anyone else.  As strange as it might be...there is something very free-ing about this laissez faire attitude.  Yet, all the while this 'freedom' occurs in a country where I would say that the people are anything but free.  I would hardly consider working 7 days a week, 14 hour days - to encompass a life of freedom.  Ironic... at best.

I also love how natural consequences rule here.  Take traffic for example. Things are anything but orderly.  Honking and beeping is not considered 'rude' but is, instead, is just a simple way of letting people know you are there (usually!)  Jay walking is the norm because there are no 'pedestrian crosswalks.'  The trick is...use your common sense.  Is there time to cross?  If yes...then cross.  If no...then don't.  None of this stopping at red lights with no one coming from either direction.  In Asia...if the coast is clear - then off you go.  If you abuse this...you don't get a ticket...instead you get a broken leg from being hit by the car.  Natural consequences.  They work!

 I wandered through People's Park today as well...which I believe somewhere within this park is the actual finish line of the race.  Gorgeous...just gorgeous.  And CLEAN!  Recycle/litter boxes everywhere...which was a sharp contrast from Taiwan - where garbage cans are a severely endangered species!  I headed up some stairs with a crazy looking statue of the infamous "Mao" and found myself into the Chinese version of a 'gym.'  In a small elementary school type jungle gym were about 20 adults cranking out chin ups and other calisthenics.  I nearly flipped a lid when I noticed two guys about my age with archaic - Flinstone type barbells that they were lifting in the dirt.  Loved it. 

Anwyays, that's all for today...off to chow down on my street-vendor tofu with that special sauce of "I don't know what but it tastes marvelous-o!!!"

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 Yesterday morning I woke up to a swim workout which I was planning to do in the 'sea' just behind the hotel.  I had sent some emails prior to arriving in China about pool access but everyone had told me there weren't really any pools to train in, but with the ocean right at the hotel I wasn't concerned about getting swims in. Open water it is!  I knew the hotel had a pool but I had assumed (and also been told) that the pool would not be large enoughto actually train in.  So, as I walked out back to head towards the ocean to swim I passed by the pool, which I expected would be a teeny little thing that wasn't up to much.   Ahem...not quite.

 As I got closer, I realized that this 'teeny pool' was actually a 50 meter paradise surrounded by Chinese statues and orchids.  I couldn't believe it.  Here I was worried about access to getting swim workouts in...and I hit jackpot...and then some!!!  Unbelievable.

I did my second run in the heat and noticed that although it was still very hot...I felt better than I did the day before. After a solid 11 hours of sleep and some progressive adjustments to the humidity it was already more manageable.  But the heat/humidity here really is something else and is going to require deliberate and focused attention to pacing on race day. Pacing, pacing, pacing...always important...but I believe even more critical for this race in particular.  Don't go out too fast or you'll pay for it later.  That's been made clear to me already! Scott says things every day that are spot on, but one thing in particular that he told me earlier this fall is something I will never forget...as I believe it's some of the best advice regarding racing that one can ever get...and I'm going to share it with you!  In an Ironman...there are 4 things you need...everything else is just details. Those 4 things are:

Pacing, Water, Sugar, and Salt.  That's it folks.  And although this is crucial for every IM....China is going to take those four things and make them astronomically more important.  

Biking on the trainer in the heat has been interesting...largley pertaining to the confused looks that I get from people who pass by.  Really?  Riding a trainer outside of a hotel is a pretty weird thing to do anywhere...but you can easily multiply that strangeness by 100 or more when you are doing it in China.  Honestly, people really must just think I'm completely whacked.  In fact, one of the guys at the front desk insists on helping me carry my trainer out to my 'little spot.'  Yesterday, when he went to put it down...he of course looked for the area with the most shade.  But when I told him that I would like to go into the direct sun he just looked at me like I had some serious mental disturbance.  I don't blame him....what on earth possesses me to do these weird things?  Triathletes are a funny breed. 

 Beyond training though...another notable feature about China is, of course, the food.  Much like in Taiwan, the Chinese are very proud of their cuisine.  And for good reason.  The tofu, exotic fruits, juices/teas, fresh fish, hot pot...it's all pretty amazing.  Yet, I have to say that there continue to be some foods that I will just never understand.  Chicken feet on the top of the list.  I have always found this to be utterly repulsive, but yesterday I witnessed this at another level.  There, hanging in the supermarket was a freeze dried bag of these little buggers. Freeze dried chicken feet!! I really don't get it....never have...and never will!  But hey....who am I to comment on these things?  I'm the one who chooses to ride a bike in one spot in the direct sun of a tropical climate.  Hmmm.