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 | The Greatest Show On EarthCan you imagine a week of Christmas immediately followed by losing your virginity, New Year's Eve, and your 21st birthday? I can. Allow me to explain. |
ChristmasFor me, Kona Race Week is exactly like Christmas. Instead of gifts however, you receive friends and new experiences. I arrived in Kona with a fair amount of excess baggage. My old adversary, Fear, had tagged along for the journey. I had been a good boy this year, but I wasn't sure what Santa (and Madame Pele) had in store for me. Fortunately, my fear disappeared as soon as I met my pal, Brad. It's tough to be worked up when you are rooming with the Human Energizer Bunny. Once we dropped our gear at the condo, the first order of business was a swim. I love Kailua Bay. Fish, coral, turtles, sand and sunlight glistening in the water - everything a gift. To be honest, I didn't do much swimming. Just floated in the water and listened to the song of the sea. Liquid refreshment of a healing kind. Did you ever read Lori's article in Triathlete Magazine about meeting Scott Tinley in Kona? In the article, she talks about how it felt for a "mere age grouper" to meet one of the greats... Well, my next gift came electronically. Lori sent me an e-mail letting me know when she would be working the Timex Booth. Seems she wanted to say hi to the guy who was crazy enough to flog himself for a photo with her (it was VERY worth it). A mere 126 kilobytes was all it took to make me feel special. The outcome of the race was becoming immaterial. I was learning first-hand why Ironman Hawaii is far more than a race. It is an experience. The daunting nature of the distances combines with the power of the Island. It can be overwhelming at times (and I'm not a threat to anybody!). The pressure on the favourites must be immense. Walk a mile in Luc van Lierde's shoes before you criticize him. Fortune smiled upon me when a friend offered me a ticket to the Inside Tri sunset cruise. My good luck was becoming overwhelming, but one of the most important things I've learned over the last year is to accept life as it comes. Life is not a zero sum game, and there's plenty to go around. So, I roll up to the pier and a Who's Who of the tri-community is assembled. Thank God, I brought my X-Tri cap! ;-) I'm on the Catamaran for less than a minute when John Collins walks up and introduces himself. I am then treated to a one-on-one Q&A of Ironman history and folklore. Our conversation runs from living in Panama to cycling in the UK. Of course, we did talk (just a little) about Ironman. Like me, John's racing IMNZ 2001, and I look forward to seeing him again. My final gift was the most special. It doesn't involve anyone famous or any free gear. I was on the upper deck of the Cat having a conversation with a very interesting lady. Over her shoulder, I could see the coffee plantations and green hills of Kona. I could smell the ocean as a warm sea breeze blew across my face. An orange sun warmed my back and someone shouted behind us. We turned and, looking down, saw a group of dolphins playing in our wake. I took a deep breath and a mental picture of the whole scene. A deep calm filled me and I knew my race preparations were complete. I was one, and I was ready to face the day. |  Feeling special at the expo
Ready for a great day out. |
