It has been a few weeks since I have sat down to write. I really want to make this a weekly blog but time got away from me a bit over the past few weeks. It has been a very busy couple of weeks leading up to the Ironman World Championship race. We are now 10 days away from the big day and I have a little bit more time now as my training starts to taper. I came to Hawaii 2 weeks prior to the race to try and acclimate to the heat and humidity and get familiar with infamous winds of the Queen K highway. It has been a relaxing and stress free few days with some good training on the race course.
This is my 8th year here for the race (my first visit was in 2007) but my first time competing. I have attended the medical conference and volunteered in the medical tent for all but one year and it has been an amazing experience. I have met some of the most generous, caring and fun people who I now call my friends. We may not see each other for an entire year, but we pick up right where we left off. I highly recommend volunteering for this, or any other race, local or otherwise. Volunteers are invaluable to the success of the race and without them the race does not go on. This is why I volunteer, this community supports me every time I race and I want to do the same for others. It is also so inspiring to watch amazing athletes, at any level, race, to hear their stories, to hear their why.
My why has many answers, but one of the most important ones is being able to do something for those who are unable to participate in such physical endeavors. Years ago, I said if I ever got an opportunity to race in Kona it would have to be about more then just me, it has to be about something bigger. So, on November 7, 2016 I found myself with an amazing opportunity, to race in Kona. The something bigger was a no brainer for me, to raise $10,000 for the Fred Hutchison Cancer Research Center and the patients it supports. My mother has been battling lymphoma for 15 years and unfortunately I have had other family members and friends affected with blood cancers. I have never been good at asking people for money but have worked hard to reach my goal. I am proud to say that as of today I have raised $12,725 with a new goal of $15,000 by race day. This is near and dear to my heart and I think it is possible to meet that goal. So, if this cause speaks to you, please consider helping me reach my new goal of $15,000 by October 14, 2017.
http://getinvolved.fhcrc.org/site/TR?px=1656228&fr_id=1551&pg=personal
And don’t forget to track me on race day
https://bat.live/track/imkona?bib=1239
Tri, Trail, Tabata and Train 