Ironman World Championship Sidenote: This was written in 2018 and I know LIFE has happened to all of us. I made some changes on this post, as personally, life changed for me as well. And I am finally talking more about it, as I have healed and am healing. Thanks your patience.
Ironman Kona week is this week and I am feeling a bit nostalgic about seeing everyone in Kona this year, especially as the all women race. Why? Let’s look at the word, “nostalgic.” According to Google Dictionary, nostalgic comes from nostalgia, which means:
“a sentimental longing or wistful affection for the past, typically for a period or place with happy personal associations.”
Friends, six years ago when I qualified for Ironman Kona, it was such a happy place and time in my life. I was able to share it with ex husband, Chris, my Mom and her dear friend, my bestie, Krista and her friend and the WHOLE FUCKING WORLD, who followed me in my Ironman Triathlon Journey through being a friend of mine since 1989, to social media platforms, to my team, Rulon Racing and many other avenues in my 28 year journey to Ironman Hawaii.
I started thinking about the “feels” of Kona and what it was like to be there. I came up with “The 5 Feels of Ironman World Championship” and the breakdown is very simple. You have seen the five feels before, which are technically the five senses of perception or sense but I will call them “feel” because when you land in Kona, I can guarantee those “feels” are real.
I won’t go through EVERY day of Kona and the breakdown of 140.6 but I will give you my thoughts and you will see a great video at the end of all of those feels:
Coming off the plane and seeing an “Aloha” sign
The ocean blue color
The bright orange as the sun is setting
The Queen K road that you see many times driving and riding
Maui in the distance off of Havi
The UNBELIEVABLE sight of running down Ali’i Drive
The very fit people doing the Ironman World Championship and “Holy Shit, I am one of them.”
Seeing the legends of Mark Allen, Dave Scott, Paula Newby Fraser, Karen Smyers to name a few
The beautiful locals and their generosity
The palm trees swaying in the wind
The finish line to Ironman World Championship
Seeing a turtle when swimming after the race
The butterflies on the race course and as I am leaving Kona
The ocean air
The breeze of salt (maybe the ocean air)
The sunscreen before the race
The port-a-potties before, during AND after the race
The Hawaiian flower
The Kona coffee brewing every morning in your condo
The smell of bacon for your breakfast (Oh wait, that is anywhere in the world)
The crashing of the waves
The Seagulls
The cheering at the finish line
The wind out on the Queen K
The dolphins underneath the water
Hearing Mike Reilly say to you, “Jennifer Rulon. You Are an Ironman.
Kona Coffee
The salt on your lips from the ocean swim
The EFS Pro getting warm at mile 90 on the bike and washing it down with COLD WATER!
A glass of wine after a finish.
The amazing fresh food on the island.
The Acai Bowl the day after.
Holding on to the coffee boat during your practice swim
With your feet in the sand
Of you sunkissed skin from race day
Of ocean water flowing over your body during the 2.4 miles
Of your ex husband, family and friends loving on you as you are about to pass out and stink but they still hug you anyway.
Of soreness on your body after you wake up the next day from racing your dream!
While this next “sense” may be something that others have came up with, it is something that I need to use because it is very hard to put it in words:
My Higher Power surrounding me with gratitude, love and joy as I accomplished my 28 year old dream.
Thank you Universe the incredible life that I have build for myself during the last 50+ years. I am forever grateful for those that have been on my journey with me.
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