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:

The Sights

• 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 Smells

• 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 Sounds

• 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.

The Tastes

• 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.

The Touch

• 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:

The Feels

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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