Sunday morning in Kona I was up bright & early, grabbing a welcome cup of coffee at Lava Java and preparing for the PATH 10k run. It’s an annual 5k/10k run/walk in conjunction with Ironman that helps raise funds & awareness for cycling safety throughout the island, so it’s not only fun but also important to participate. It always draws a mixed crowd of locals, IM athletes going for one last burst of speed and IM supporters wanting a great workout and perhaps even their own moment of Kona glory.
Having arrived Saturday afternoon, toasting the warm winds over dinner at the Kona Inn with my first ever mai-tai (though certainly not my last), I wondered how my body would react to the rum, the jetlag and the island heat during a race. I’ve also been battling asthma and a general lack of training over the past several weeks, so it was nothing short of shocking when I managed to place 2nd in my age group. I can only attribute this to one thing: the packet of Espresso Love GU I downed 15 minutes prior to the start. Trust me, the stuff really works!
Kona is already teeming with Triathletes. It always amazes me that I can be so far from home yet see so many familiar faces. From the people I actually know, to the celebrities of the sport I know about, to the people who look like someone I know because they’re sporting the requisite shaved legs, intense looks and IM garb, it’s a family of athletes and aficionados who traverse the globe in search of the ultimate agony and joy. I’m thrilled to be here!