#IMWC #Kona #BigDance Ironman World Championships returns to Kona; last race here was 2019. I did not start in 2019 due to a torn hamstring. My previous trip to IMWC was in 2017. It has been a minute.
To say I have history here is putting it mildly.
30 years ago, I was here as a spectator on the last-minute trip to watch my brother's college roommate race. I had no idea what Ironman was besides a free Hawaii trip. I was a year out of college swimming, very out of shape, and landed in what felt like the land of the fittest people. I swam the swim course, NBD, but was in complete awe of what unfolded that day. I had never seen such grit and suffering, and at the corner of the Queen K and Palani when Mark Allen made the pass in the Ironwar, I was speechless. I was moved in a way that I cannot explain. My brother made a bet I would be here one-day racing.
12 years later, I ran a marathon, barely finished, and called my brother and said no fucking way, an Ironman is not even doable. 6 years later, in 2007, I bought a bike after being injured so much running, and then stumbled in a sprint and was hooked!!! 2008 was my first Ironman, and 2009 was my first year in Kona.
2009: I raced sick, ignored my HR of 170 on the bike, started puking at mile 70 of the bike, cried in T2, stumbled out on the run, and passed out at mile 8 of the run. I was laid out, and every time they asked if they could take my chip, I said NO and tried to get up; at some point, they loaded me up and hauled me to the med tent. A few IVs later, I realized I had DNFs.
2010: I had one goal, FINISH. I swam hard, biked conservatively, and ran a "comfortable" run with no pressure; I just collected the medal and wore the gear I bought in 2009.
2011: I was ready to race; I took some risks, pushed it a bit too much in the early part of the run, and puked the last 10 miles, nearly every aid station. I hung on for a sub 11 hours. It was 7th.
2014: I needed a break from the Island but was ready to return in 2014. This was a hot year, and I knew I was in trouble on the bike, dizzy, and dehydrated, and I did the best I could. Early in the run, I was walking and overheating. Diarrhea started about mile 10 and stayed with me for 16 miles; I ran from aid station to aid station . I was so worried I would DNF; at one aid station, I put my head into the trash can of ice water, much the volunteers protested. I crossed the finish line and puked all over my handler, which I coached for a few years afterward.
2016: New nutrition plan, new hydration plan! Rode conservatively to have a good run. 10 miles, no problem, and then I started puking again and basically trotted aid station to aid station. As it cooled off, I started guzzling coke, as in 5 cups at a time, and I got a 2nd wind and thought I could crack the top 10. I have no memory of the finish line and apparently told the medics I was at a circus, a few IVs later, and GTG.
2019: DNS torn hamstring
2021: St George, I had a great day, but let's be honest, it's not Kona!
So with 6 days to go, I am reasonably calm. I came over 2 weeks early to try and heat acclimate; I learned in 2016, with extensive testing at the KSI, that I lose over 72 oz of fluid per hour with 2200mg of sodium. On our post-testing call, he said, " you are not made for the heat and humidity, stick to cool races, and you will be fine" Well, that is not an option...
I want a GD Podium Koa Bowl, but I cannot focus on that.
If I can keep my fluids in my body during the run, this race will be a success!! And I can hope for the result I am chasing. My lead-up to IMWC St. George was spectacular, and I felt invincible. This lead-up has not been so ideal; from Giardia to an undiagnosed GI Issue, a lot of my critical training was compromised. This is not an excuse; it just is!
This race is humbling and I am ready to be humbled.
I want to enjoy this magical place; Kailua Bay is my happy place, where I want my ashes scattered, so in case I die, you all know.
Enjoy all my friends and athletes!
Smile and be grateful that KONA is back!
I will do the best I can on that day.
