Yes, that’s right! Just as the temperatures started to drop in the Northern Hemisphere, I took the first flight South. FAR South!
On Sunday I’m racing the inaugural Ironman Fortaleza. This new race is a very different from Ironman Brasil, the race on the southern island of Florianopolis each May. When I raced Ironman Brasil in 2013 we had mild temperatures and near perfect conditions. Fortaleza in November is HOT and WINDY! So windy in fact, that instead of buoys on the swim, we’ll be sighting off of two 60 foot boats!
Moonrise over the Marina. The park on the right is the race Start, Finish, and Transition.
Why race in Fortaleza? As I was lugging a ridiculous amount of luggage through the Rio de Janeiro airport, I was asking myself the same question! A five hour drive to Panama City Beach would have been a lot easier! But in PCB I wouldn’t get to have dinner with Petr Vabrousek and Balazs Csoke and listen to Petr’s crazy stories about racing 150 Ironmans (including 8 in 9 weeks each summer!) I wouldn’t get to make new Brasilian friends who helped me find the shuttle to the supermarket!
My new buddies Marcelo and Diego! Thanks for helping me navigate the mercado guys!!
And I wouldn’t get to brave the warm and choppy ocean waters with a guy from India who used to do 10k swim sets with my fellow Smashfest Queen Pro Alyssa!
Kal is the only athlete here from India!! But he used to live in Baltimore and swim with my friend Alyssa!
So here I am, far from home and WAY outside of my comfort zone! But I think conditions like these bring out the best in me! And on race day, my best is exactly what I’m looking for!
Shawn from Ironman is here so be sure to check the Ironman Live Blog for updates during the race! The gun goes off at 5:50am here in Fortaleza, which is 3:50am EST. Boa Sorte to all and Obrigada for the cheers!!
{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }
Welcome to Brazil, I wish you good luck and the best for this Sunday. Thank you for the picture!
Go Mongoose! Have a great race, Haley!
Haley-
I clicked on the ironman link in your blog and it is in Spanish. Did you know there was a picture of you in the scrolling advertisement photo (center)? If it’s not you she certainly could pass as your twin. Yeah, you could have done IMFL but look at it this way… the swim was cancelled and that’s your favorite part of Tri. Anyhow, best of luck tomorrow. I know you will do well.
Dave
Congratulations Haley Churra, you were spetacular in Fortaleza, hope yo enjoyed and that you come back next time.
job well done
Haley, we all met you at Belews Lake this year when you led the Enfinity swim clinic. Congratulations on your win at Fortaleza! Looks like it was worth the trip! Hope to see you soon.