It’s been seven years since I last traveled to Kona to watch the Ironman, and sitting on a plane somewhere out over the deep ocean I’m filled with anticipation as to how the race, the hoopla leading up to it and the energy of the island has grown and changed during that time. I’ll always remember the thrill of my first Hawaii experience, back in 98, and my role as cheerleader for my then husband. It was a week full of constant pins and needles, my nervousness almost matching his as I embraced my maiden voyage into this community that now feels so much like home. On race day I watched as much as I could from the course and then retreated to our condo to try and catch sight of him on TV during the marathon. I knew there was a good chance I’d see him, as he tended to place along with the top pro women, who I knew would be the focus of much media attention. As I tuned in, sure enough, there he was…bent over on the side of the road, hands on his knees, puking up the contents of his stomach, the helicopter zooming in on his discomfort.
That was the last I saw of him until the finish and, since it was in the days before online athlete tracking, I had no idea whether to expect him close to his goal time (under 10 hours), crawling to the finish just before midnight or even worse, carted back via ambulance. It all turned out well in the end, as once he emptied his stomach he felt much improved and went on to achieve his goal. But that feeling of excitement, anxiety and the wild unknown was my initiation to what makes this sport so deeply compelling.
Since that day, I’ve known there are two types of people in this multi-sport world: those who have no desire to ever take part in such madness, and those, like myself, who long for it in a deep, crazed, slightly obsessive part of their soul. Hanging out with the cheering throngs, waiting for our loved ones to finish, we Iron-wives and Iron-dads and Iron-friends all voiced our opinions on the topic, and the majority belonged to the never-ever crowd. But there were a few of us, the fever of the mere idea sparkling in our eyes, who gazed down Alii Drive and solemnly, determinedly nodded our heads “YES!”
Fast forward nine years, and I have multiple triathlon finishes to my credit, including two full Ironmans. And though I have yet to be fast enough or lucky enough to race in Kona, I’m determined someday to step to the start in Kailua Bay, say one final prayer to the island gods and dive in with the rest of the crazies. I know that the intensity of such a day on the Big Island would rival anything I’ve experienced in my lifetime, and I long for and welcome it.
Meantime, I’m headed to Kona this year in an entirely new capacity. I’m a member of the GU crew, six GU Sports staff members escaping the Berkeley daily grind for a week of marketing madness and fun in the Hawaii sun. Headquartered in the House of GU on Alii Drive, we’ll be out & about in force all week long, sampling to the masses and supporting our athletes, including defending women’s World Champion Michellie Jones. If you’re in Kona be sure to keep an eye out for us, and don’t be shy about asking for samples, especially of our new seasonal flavor, Mint Chocolate. If you’re stuck home jonesing for the crashing waves, the heat of the lava fields, the who’s who scene at Lava Java and the boom of Mike Reilly’s voice, keep checking back here and I’ll be posting throughout the week on our adventures. I’ll even supply photographic evidence of some GU inspired activities (underpants run, anyone?), though we’ve instituted a strict “hands off the camera after the 3rd mai-tai” rule.
Aloha to all, and I’ll check back soon!