Dave Scott last raced Ironman Hawaii in 1996, where he finished 6th.  In 1994, at the age of 40, Dave finished second to Greg Welch.   Dave has won Ironman Hawaii 6 times. 

duathlon.com: Who do you see as the favorites?

Dave Scott:   I don't know who to really look at. I like Peter Reid and I think two years ago he was way back. I like his running ability and form and he ran up and it gave him the confidence that he didn't have to beat everyone on the bike and he was good enough to catch them on the run. Confidence wise I look at him.

I think Luc is the most talented person out there. I have seen him on the bike and he is so fluid on the run. What was he doing on the run last year when he was 8 minutes down on Peter Reid going into the run? He started the run 8 minutes down on Peter Reid and finished 8 minutes behind Reid. Why didn't he pick it up and go after Reid? Lothar Leder moved up through the race. Luc finally picked it up when Lothar came up on him during the run. Luc had a sensational swim and he was soft on the bike. He doesn't press the pace. It seems to be the pattern that they follow the sheep. You have to be aggressive. I would pick Luc as a co-favorite, he has to be hungry and he has to be mad at himself.

The women's' race is wide open. I think Lori is talented. In Canada this year her swim was 5 minutes faster than what she did in 1998 in Canada. And I think she can run with anyone. I would pick Lori one, and Karen Smyers two. I think Karen will be back to do well this year.

duathlon.com: What type of training did you do the week before Ironman? [not suggested for most athletes]

Dave Scott: I get there 7 to 10 days before the race. Monday, I do several steady pace efforts at faster than race pace. I will ride for two hours. I will hold 20-40 minutes at race pace. Then I run 8 or 9 miles and I hold 4 miles at 6 minute pace.

Tuesday, I climb up on the high road and I ride up there for 2 or 3 hours. I do 3 or 4 efforts of 5 minutes out of the saddle. I run 6 miles with 4 miles at 6:20 per mile. Swim the course.  Wednesday I cut back , run 3 or 4 easy and ride 50 minutes. Swim 1500 in the ocean.

Thursday, I will do 2 or 3 efforts of 3-5 minutes close to race pace on the bike .   On the run I do 2 or 3 half mile efforts with a lot of recovery at 6 minute pace for a total of 30 minutes. Pick ups in the swim. I swim 1500 again. Friday I have a really easy 4 or 5 miles on the bike and 15 minutes on the run and 500-800 swimming. In hindsight I would curtail Tuesday's workout quite a bit.  

duathlon.com:  In the past you have said that athletes are too focused on their time while they are racing Ironman. Explain what you mean.

Dave Scott: You have enough intuitive tools based on training, your perceived exertion riding and running, and speed while you are running.  What does it feel like when you are running 6 minute pace? It is important to use all those tools in training, and don't be dependent on one. Perceived exertion becomes a much greater tool as you become more polished and fit. It is a tremendous gage.

Going into the race someone might say `I have to hold 23 mph on the bike, and x pace on the run.' The first part of the run, in the pit, that is 2.7 miles. Age groupers may run 9 to 11 minutes per mile at that point and then move up to 8 or 9 minute miles later in the race.