Thoughts on the way home. Kona is over. We're out. By most objective measurement, and perhaps even some subjective, it was a successful trip. The sub categories of that measurement, of course, create the detail. And we all know who lives there. In our sport, it is all detail. Working as a manufacturer's rep at the most prestigious and important event of the year gets one as close to the action as one can get without actually experiencing the dramatic extremes of racing Ironman. We mix it up pretty tight with the pros and share a precious part of the path with the age-groupers. Having worked Kona since 1998 I remain unconvinced as to which group appreciates our product(s) more. The pros respect our performance related dependability because it has a direct impact on their financial security while those in competition with others in five year age brackets happily see mercurial increases in the single overall determining ranking factor: Speed. The synergy of a podium result by increased biking power is what we do. It is our calling card. A detail that, although seemingly as obvious as lightening, and about as subtle as thunder, often gets missed. Speed through power.
The truly beautiful thing about this foundational truth is in it's relativity. I was watching last night at the awards banquet, how the top ten in every age group demonstrated a metamorphosis of body shape. The 18-21 group, although fast as all get-out, carried the classic traits of youth, musculature still in formation, building, gaining mass and tone. Into the prime years, 30-34, the complete package appeared Vitruvian-ish and close to perfect. After that the inevitable decline began to show. The relativity is in the detail. No matter what your age, and regardless of past success, the power you are able to sustain for a test (a race) will in most cases determine its outcome. And that power can be improved upon, enhanced or polished. All you need to add is the desire to improve and the motivation to engage. Yes, there is a cost. Sometimes we must sacrifice. It hurts. But if your goal is to get to the pointy part of the success chart, to stand upon the podium of champions, your journey truly begins at the end of your current comfort zone.
Step outside. Risk, in this case means leaving normal behind. It means saying goodbye to the middle. It means paying the price on the sometimes scary ride to the top.
This isn't for everyone. The magic moment when you decide to act, to commit, to reach, changes everything. We train 364 days of the year for one moment in the Hawaiian sun. This is the test. There are many routes that lead here, many roads to this Ironman superhighway. You will be challenged. There will be days that you will question your resolve. There will be blood. You will change.
Through all of this transition, the one crystal clear mental picture that is more powerful than any, is of that change from the ordinary to the superlative. You become the hero in your own drama. The image of you finishing the dream you started however many months or years ago, is a powerful answer to the "why" question. To stand before your peers, to be sincerely pleased with your performance, happy with the effort, and satisfied with the quality of the quest, is monumental. Your right to passage.
The thunderous applause from last night still rings in my head. I am re-energized and re-motivated to get this thing done. Again. They might as well call this the deja-vu flight as I often jot similar notes as we return from the Island Paradise.
It has been a long journey. It has been fun, it has presented a plethora of growth and challenge opportunity. It is far from over. I recommit again to training smarter, getting stronger and perfecting those pesky detains that have, to date, kept my ticket for the big dance, so close, yet a thousand miles away. The elusive victory. I'll be back.
Madame Pele, after a dozen years, witnessed the return of the rock on Sunday. A tiny bit of lava that I kept as a memento of my first trip to the sacred grounds. Another ritual. Somewhat sacrificial and partially superstitious. Myth maybe. A curse removed, spell broken? We shall see. Business done.
Details sometimes get a little extreme.
See you next year.
Pix: Maui from 12,000 ft. The curse of Pele, undone. Men's podium:
1. Pete Jacobs (AUS) 8:18:37
2. Andreas Raelert (GER) 8:23:40
3. Frederik Van Lierde (BEL) 8:24:09
4. Sebastian Kienle (GER) 8:27:08
5. Faris Al-Sultan (GER) 8:28:33
6. Timo Bracht (GER) 8:30:57
7. Andy Potts (USA) 8:31:45
8. Timothy O'Donnell (USA) 8:33:28
9. David Dellow (AUS) 8:35:02
10. Dirk Bockel (LUX) 8:36:21
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