What a trip!!! I have been home a week and I am still playing catch up. I was fortunate enough to have the opportunity to be in Kona this year for the race. I had two athletes racing Trephina Galloway and Chris Nook. A big thank you to Trephina for making my trip possible.
I arrived on Thursday late afternoon before the race and left Sunday night,it was indeed a quick trip. It was really hard "roughing it" at Trephina's beach house right on the ocean. Located on the Kona coast at about the 2.5 mile marker of the run course. I drifted off to sleep each night to the sound of crashing waves. Trephina thanks again for everything, for the meals, the house, sharing your family and for mostly letting me be a part of your dream.
I will leave the actual race reporting to Trephina and Chris. Hawaii is incomparable to anything I have done. My watching and cheering experience are not representative of how they felt or what they went through.
However,I did gain a valuable perspective of Ironman. For me getting to Kona was the ultimate goal. After accomplishing that I never let myself truly appreciate or enjoy the experience the way I should have. My performance suffered greatly that day. I realized being out on the course and watching Trephina and Chris that I had not really let go of that lack luster performance. As I know look back, it effected several Ironman races after that. I kept focusing on what had happened in Hawaii and it directly effected the outcome of many races.
As I watched Trephina and Chris it became clear to me that you are only "as good as the race you are in". The past and the future are irrelevant, your focus has to be on the NOW. Trehina and Chris fought through 45 mile an hour gusting winds and 90 degree temperatures,they both came out on top by more than finishing an incredibly difficult day with smiles on there faces. It was symbolic of what I believe Ironman should be for most of us mortals...finding a way to better place, where we can truly appreciate our abilities for what they are.
It was a great trip, some additional highlights:
Video of the "Underwear Run". Trephina should have one best costume, check it out on YouTube.
Make sure to watch NBC coverage of the race. Trephina should be highlighted,they were with her through out the day, very cool. I had to wait in line to talk to her!!
Seeing the support of Trephina's and Chris's families. They were all truly amazing. It does take a village to do an Ironman.
Chris Nook's smile throughout the entire day.
Trephina's finish line picture.
I could go on there was much more. Hope to have more pictures and race reports coming soon.
Congrats again to Trephina and Chris!! Well done!
