With race day quickly approaching, we wanted to check in with Endurance Nation's fearless leader, Patrick McCrann, to see how he has prepped for the challenges that await him in Kona.

How is your prep heading into Kona different from any other race?

This year I am trying a more minimalist approach to training hours, just 12.5 hours a week vs a more "typical" training build that would see me closer to 16-18 hours. As I get older, my body is forcing me to appreciate all the hard work that went into the first, qualifying effort of the year.

In addition to the overall change in structure from the volume of the early season, I spend more time swimming in open water to prepare for the stress of race day. I also have been working with Todd of TTBikeFit.com to make sure my position and bike are 100% bulletproof.

You will be traveling with your family to Kona this year, how does that affect your race?

So excited to share the event and the Big Island with my girls (ages 6 and 4) and my incredible wife. I will be arriving much later than usual, so we can stay longer on vacation. But having them on the race course will make the day that much more meaningful to me...it's already an emotional experience, having them there is the icing on the cake!

Do you feel added pressure being the head coach of the online triathlon community, Endurance Nation?

I'd say the opposite is true, I feel like I have 800 raving fans! The best part is over twenty of our athletes will be competing alongside me. For me the hardest part of a season is getting to Kona, now that I am here it's time to have some fun. We keep everyone connected online throughout the event, partly to support the racers but also because race day coincides with our Annual Ice Cream Time Trial...this year I hope to complete the Kona / Ben & Jerry's double!

How many EN athletes are racing this year?

We have just over 20 Members racing; there are usually 15 to 20 training plan athletes racing as well.

What is your reading material of choice on the long flight to the big island?

Anything that will keep my kids in their seats. I bet it's going to be a lot of books about fairies.

You recently made the move from Boston to RI, why did you make this move and how has it affected your triathlon career?

We moved to Barrington, RI in July of 2011 because we were looking for a great community to raise our girls. We found a great place and have never looked back. From a triathlon perspective, the local triathlon community is so active (thanks Fuelbelt Race Team!) that I can't go for a workout without seeing a friend. I am fortunate to have found a group of elite athletes here to train with as well, and that has totally upped my performance despite leaving the "hills" of New England far behind.

Last year you had some serious jet lag that resulted in a brief case of narcolepsy in Kona, have you changed your routine so you wont fall asleep during race day?

This year I'll be reading K-Fed's recently released newlywed cookbook, "It's Getting Hot In Here" or his lesser known work "Do These Ovenmitts Make Me Look Fat?"