Honu Half Ironman Camp - Day 1
WARNING not good reading here! I became very ill
on the flight over to Hawai'i.
I don't know exactly the cause, but when I woke
up Friday morning at home I knew something wasn't right. I'm usually a very
"regular" kind of guy. Much to the dismay of my wife. However, on this day I
wasn't regular, and I made a comment to Kristen that my body must know I'm not
racing this morning because my body isn't working like
normal.
I was feeling fine otherwise,
and at the airport I still had no feeling of what was to come. As I checked
into the airport, I was presented with the opportunity to upgrade to 1st class.
I've never flown first class before and since I was flying alone, I decided to
do it.
I ended up in the first row of
first class for the flight from Boise to Phoenix. As soon as we were in the
air, I started feeling bad. I passed on the trial mix stacks they were handing
out, but accepted the orange juice. I had diarrhea for the flight, and became
very glad to be positioned in the first row right next to the first class
lavatory. I guarded it well on that flight.
At the Phoenix airport I started
thinking about turning around and catching a flight back home. I felt nauseous
and sitting only made it worse, so I walked the terminals trying to feel better.
I walked the terminals for two hours until my flight to Kona started to board.
I was first row of first class, again,
for the flight from Phoenix to Kona. And again, in prime position to guard the
lavatory. Unfortunately, my nausea was getting worse. Shortly, after becoming
airborne I lost it. I made it just to the door of the lavatory and exploded.
The stewardess who watch this occur, quickly closed the door behind me, locking
me in. Luckily, I only had clear liquids in my stomach, but it must of been
over a gallon of it. I was in and out of the restroom, vomiting the entire
flight. When it turned to dry heaves, the diarrhea returned. The flight
seemed to last forever. My the muscles in my legs and back began cramping and
mild convulsing. My hip, back and knee joints ached and was sooo uncomfortable
sitting in those airplane chairs. I was so grateful I had upgraded to first
class. I can't imagine being in the back and having to crawl over people to get
to the lavatory.
I was so glad when the
plan finally landed in Kona, and 40 minutes early too. I have to wonder if my
conditioned encourage the crew to expedite the flight. I found the first patch
of grass and laid down until my bags arrived - in Hawai'i the terminal in
outdoors. Once, my bike box and bag arrived, I grabbed them and moved out to
the curb to wait for Mitch to pick me up. I called him to let him know I made
it but I wasn't in a hurry, and to inform him of my condition. I found another
place to lay down and waited. Mitch and Micheal woke me up and loaded me into
the van. I don't recall all the details, but they picked up another van, so we
would have two for the camp, and there were other campers coming in on later
flights. I asked to be dropped off back at the airport so I could lay down,
while they ran other errands. I just relaxed until the last campers came in.
Just for the record, Mitch returned and picked up the other campers from the
airport but forgot me and left me there. He did remember as he was heading out
toward the highway and doubled back, so that was
good.
I talked Mitch into stopping for
a Jamba Juice. This is the only thing I eat all day. I went to bed once we got
to the condo.
Posted: Fri - May 26, 2006 at 02:27 PM