My Kona experience

I knew it was going to be a tough one. The race itself is one of the toughest Ironmans out there – “the toughest day in sports”. This is of course due to the heat, but also because of the 1500 meters of climbing you do on the bike course, as well as a pretty hilly and extremely warm running course, – not to mention the wind, but let’s talk about that later on …

I woke up and I had slept incredibly well. Down to the swim start, where our athlete number is “tattooed” on both arms. Likewise plenty of sunscreen on the carbo-loaded machine of a body🙃. I was in the first swim wave after the pros, so my agegroup had to go in the tub as one of the first. We are all excited and waiting to be called into the water after the pros have started. The waterfront is packed with people all around. As we were called into the water we started swimming the small distance of 200 meters out to the start line. A rather friendly atmosphere accoured with 10sec to start, as we wished each other good luck. The start went off and the friendly atmosphere was replaced with something that felt like being in a fistfight inside a washing machine. I started my energy plan prematurely and swallowed 2-3 liters of saltwater throughout course😅 It didn’t feel like I was swimming particularly good, and the wind had already at this point started to create a lot of big waves. I got out of the water in 1h5min, which I was extremely satisfied with, considering the fact that we weren’t allowed to swim with wet suits. I came out of the water as # 29 in my age group.

T1. Quickly through the fairly long transfer zone and out on the bike course.
I knew that the wind, in particular, would be a huge thread. In the first 40k, we had the wind lightly on our backside, so it naturally made us fly off. But with 15k to HAWI the wind decided to turn on us making us drive in a stiff headwind towards the 30k long climb up HAWI. Fair enough, that should mean that we would get a tailwind later on, where the wind would probably be stronger. I got wiser …
The Hawi climb is known for its headwinds, as well as the violent cross winds, especially on the descent. 30k uphill, where I got frustrated with people drafting just a little too much. Of course, I tried to race my own race, although it actually really annoyed me. A slightly hidden smile appeared on my face as I turned on the top and the ‘penalty tent’ was well filled.
The descent was “smashed” since I knew that I would have a tailwind almost all the way to the finish of the bike course. But as the Kona race is known for, the wind is unpredictable and it turned once again. We drove downhill with a strong tailwind, but from there, it was stiff headwinds the last 55-60k towards the end. At the same 55k, I managed to lose my chain twice. One time I got it on while driving, and the last time I had to get off and get greasy. I didn’t lose that much time on it, but still freaking annoying 😅 at each aid station I grabbed an extra water bottle and poured it over me, trying to keep my core temperature down a bit, it worked to the purpose as the wind cooled me down as well.
I raced harder than I have done in a race on the bike part and ended up in 5h17min, which I was also extremely pleased with, having the conditions and the course in mind.

The T2 was a slightly longer shift, but eventually I got the running shoes on and all my accessories with me 😅
At this point I had extremely heavy legs. The bike ride had really left a mark. I couldn’t even imagine going through a marathon with these rotten legs. My super cool team was cheering along the run course, which was really nice. The heat felt inhumane with a real-feel of 35degrees and humidity close to 80%. It was a battle for survival between every single aid station. After 12k spectators were not allowed to go further on the highway, which meant that I had to cheer for my self the rest of the race. It was so brutal. People were collapsing around me, and I was on the verge of a breakdown my self. I usually say that the first 15-20km of an Ironman-marathon you can enjoy, otherwise, you are running too fast. I did not enjoy a single kilometer between 1 and 42, and in between vomiting I had plenty of time to think that ‘I am NEVER gonna do this again’. I tried to balance my energy, focus on liquid and salt intake the best I have learned in the constant fight of the real threat – the heat. I was pretty far out, and couldn’t even cool myself down. The last 10km were completely unclear, but suddenly I’m at the finish line and as usual I get a bug in the eye right before I cross the finish line – typical 😉😭

My marathon time was 3h32min, which I am actually quite happy with, considering that I started on a pair of running legs someone had apparently forgotten to charge🔋
Compared to my last race just back in May, I have taken a huge level-up with this performance. I am incredibly proud of that.

The past year…
Has been extremely tough and demanding. From not knowing anything about the triathlon sport to complete 3 Ironmans in a year and the last of them on the biggest of stages. I am incredibly proud of what I have achieved in a short time, and the progress I have been through. Special thanks to Thomas Mortensen who has done all my training programs for the past year. Amazing how much that man knows about the sport. And of course, thank you very much, family and friends, who traveled to Hawaii to support. Indescribable to share this experience with them all. Huge

Wins.

There’s plenty of wins to take away from this specific and very special race. One of them is that you can actually beat a lot of guys that should be kicking your ass, if you manage to just know your limits, and not go past them. I knew I wasn’t there to win, but to learn, and with that attitude, I ended up in the best half of the field, with one year of triathlon experience – not bad after all…
I don’t quite know what’s going to happen with me now, other than that I’m going on a vacation/training-rehab for the next 2 months. It will be good.
Thanks for all the support, it means the world!