Race Report..
Well, here I am sitting in our condo, looking at all our stuff, that is finally going to be returning to its home. We are going home today. I have been away since late may, and this season has been very interesting to say the least. I think I am a different athlete now, much much stronger.
For me Kona was and is everything, but this year I have finally overcome some demons regarding Ironman, that are going to help me forever. As you were aware I had contracted during my last 4 weeks of training a staph infection, which ended up as an abcess. This was very trying for both Armando and I, but we were determined to soldier on. As I am one to NEVER GIVE UP. Three words which mean so much. I had surgery in france on september 11 to remove an abcess from my leg. my training was going awesome, and we were thinking how are we going to slow down......we got the answer......
I decided that I was ready and I toed the line here in Kona. It is the World Champs and I now realise that you just cannot compete against the Worlds Best when you have a kink in your armour!!!!
The race day was good. Finally we got the strong winds that I had been waiting for. This was going to make race day a toughy. It sure did.
My swim went well, I had been avoiding the ocean pre race, as I was concerned of getting an infection in my wound, so it was up early and in the pool every few days. The ocean was beautiful, it was great to finally be in and racing. I found a good group and settled in nicely.
Once out onto the bike I realised that my swim wasn't so flash hot, but i never panicked, what can i do? Just focus on the task at hand and go. So I worked solid on the bike and started to reel in alot of the girls ahead of me. The winds started pretty early on, yeah, I was glad, this works for me. I rode very well up to Hawi and then even better on the way down. A few times I got blown sideways, but determined for the wind not to scare me. It is only wind.......not far from town, my legs started to slow down a bit, but i was very happy where i was placed. I was now in 4th or 5th position. I was always saying it ain't over until Alii drive.....so never never giving up.
I racked my awesome Cervelo and made my way quickly to the run tent.....grabbed my bag, changed and flew out the door...no time for resting...that comes after the race.
All sunscreened up, I started the run. I wasn't feeling to crash hot, but who does when you have just been biking for over 5 hours and battling the elements of kona!!!! The crowds here in Hawaii are amazing. So many different cultures all together. The support is just endless. Running Alii drive I was passed by some very fleet footed runners......many of these girls continued on to place in the top 5. It just wasn't going to be my day to make it onto the podium, or stage. Many things were going thru my mind but giving in wasn't an option. We all have to go down to go up. How can you learn more when you think you know everything......So i came home down Alii drive in 14th place. I am proud of my efforts, as only one month ago, lying in the hospital, to get to the bathroom, took some planning!!!
So I congratulate everyone on there completion of the Ironman, nothing is certain, and every race is a clean slate!!! So I hope we all enjoy our rest and time off......I am so excited about coming home, to catch up with my friends, my family and my sponsors..........who, are all incredible and I am so lucky to have such a great support team with me. OUR DAY WILL COME...AS I MUST SAY AGAIN....................NEVER NEVER NEVER GIVE UP.....
SO THANK YOU TO ALL MY SPONSORS WHO WITHOUT YOUR SUPPORT, NONE OF THIS WOULD BE POSSIBLE...
MAHALO, THANKYOU AND SEE YOU SOON.
JO
