Sep 28, 2007 1:47 PM
Kona is finally here
It had been quite the journey since I qualified for Kona a year ago. Initially I was happy and excited. What more could you ask for. I was going to Hawaii and I had a year to get ready. I had great plans to improve in my second IM. Then one day in late November I felt a pain in my abdomen while swimming. After surgery in early Jan. to remove the tumor it turned out to be a desmoid tumor and I was told I needed further surgery. I made my arrangements for a condo in Kona and even bought a tri bike in the time between surgeries. I was determined to stick with my plan. The second surgery in Feb. was very tough and the recovery was long and slow. I was able to start over training again late March. I was told not to lift anything heavy so no weight training, just aerobic training. I still am not able to lift anything heavy now. I was getting some miles in and it felt good. Then during a metric century in May I had a little crash on my bike. My left shoulder was sore and I couldn?t swim for two weeks. This left a big impact on me emotionally. I have invested lots of money in the Kona trip. I had better be more careful or I might not make it! I rode very conservatively the rest of the summer even at races with thoughts of Kona in the back of my head. It has pretty much been that way throughout the training and any little hint of a pain or injury, I would back off. I worried that the tumor would come back and ruin my plans. I had a follow up MRI and there was a suspicious spot but nothing conclusive enough that the tumor was growing back. I will have another follow up MRI in November. I feel good and I have gotten the training in to feel confident that I will finish! It has just been such a mental stress with ups and downs along the way. The health issues were tough but so were the responses from people that didn't understand or relate to IM training.
I can?t believe it is finally here. I leave on Wed. the 3rd to fly to Kona. I can?t believe all the logistics involved but it will be worth it! It is a once in a lifetime experience and I plan on taking it all in. Just hope for a good day on Oct. 13th in Kona!
--I know how hard you train and how strong you are. You have pure physical and mental strength which have taken you through this rough year with flying colors. These same strengths coupled with hard training and smart racing will bring you over the finish line in Kona with smiles and energy to spare. I can't wait to see you on IMLive and then read the race report. You are ready, and you're going to do so well!
