How To Win Kona Before The End Of The World

Tower 26

There’s something brilliant happening on the west side. I moved to California Avenue to be close to the beach, close to running and biking routes, close to Pacific Palisades High pool. I came here to become a champion. On Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays for a long time coming, I’ll be in the pool, choking, struggling, fighting my way to faster times. We’re swimming with snorkels, and pull buoys, and ankle bands, and flippers. I’ve never done anything like it. I’ve been there for 4 sessions now and have a great confidence about it — that all I have to do is show up and bust my ass and every couple months, I’ll be made into something new in that water, something made to smash past times and tolerances. That excites me. I’ve got this worldly accomplished guy standing over me who has a presence and knowledge about him. His name is Gerry Rodrigues. His times in the water are disgustingly fast. He tells me I’m raw and that he can shape me and I say things like Yes Coach and Okay Coach and You Got It Coach. I always told myself that if I needed someone to tell me what to do, and how to push, and when, that I wouldn’t deserve these things I’m chasing. I don’t believe that here. Here, I need help. Here, I’m in good hands. I can feel something happening. I can feel new thresholds being created, thresholds I’ll take to the bike and run and smash and smash. My times are no longer me. Patience.