Ironman Kona Swim

I wanted so badly to swim the 2.4 mile World Championship course! I knew my training wasn't there yet as I'm getting back to it and I ran right before. But I felt fantastic out there! I took it nice and easy and just enjoyed every second! I went out with Ashley (@ahappypace) and Ang (@angtris) and it was amazing! We stopped at the Kona Coffee Boat on our way out. And for the first mile it was one of the most amazing experiences of my life! The water was absolutely incredible! It was completely clear to the bottom, an indescribable blue, sunbeams reaching the ocean floor, swimming with gorgeous fish! And I was feeling so strong! I could swim all day! As we got further out the swells were getting bigger and bigger, but I had no problem swimming, I still felt so strong. But nausea started creeping in. And it kept getting stronger and stronger. I was both nauseous and dizzy. And all I kept thinking was how I wanted to do this! I made it to the turn around point and I was feeling bad. We turned around and by the next buoy I was throwing up. I knew if I could get the vomiting and dizziness under control I would have no problem. But it wasn't stopping and I was only getting worse. I spotted a shore and told the girls I had to swim to shore. They didn't want me to go alone, but after the three of us had been alone out there forever, there was a lady who had swam out from her hotel to where we were. Obviously an angel in disguise! She talked me back to shore which was not an easy swim bc of the current and rocks at that point. She was an older lady who was an Ironman and had just done IM Australia and was here to watch her son. At one point she offered for me to grab onto her shoulders so she could bring me in. Bless her and her sweet heart! But I swam in. And after a brief rest, I did what felt like the walk of shame. It was a little over a mile I think, in my swimsuit, barefoot, and looking mighty green down Ali'i Drive among the crowd. I'll never forget that walk. I was so disappointed. I swam 1.9 of 2.4 miles! But I'll always remember how amazing and incredibly beautiful it was out there! And I have to say as awesome as it was out there, I'm super relieved IMTX is a lake swim! 😂 I WILL go back and do that swim!!!

How Do You Vacation?

How do you vacation? Do you lay by the pool with a drink or soak up the rays on the beach? Or do you go, go, go? I have to say we definitely fall into the latter category which is really helpful when you're training. We are the type who cram our days exploring as much as we can no matter our destination. Here in Hawaii, on the Big Island, it fit us perfectly as we were able to explore, be active, and get in some training too!

In the mornings I was able to walk right out of our hotel and run along the popular Ali'i drive. Runners and bikers filled the streets and sidewalks and looking over to the water you saw swimmers swimming from Dig Me Beach - truly a triathletes dream!

There was no shortage of beautiful places to run along the way!

One of my favorite spots to run was Black Sand Beach!

You have to swim out to the Kona Coffee Boat with friends! I was able to check out the Ironman Kona swim course with friends Ashley and Ang! (More on our swim in my next post!)

Snorkling with my hubby in Hawaii has to be one of the best experiences of my life!

And I made a couple friends along the way!

And we were instant friends! You see we are about the same pace! In fact, he may even be a little faster! Lol!

We also went Stand Up Paddle Boarding. It is much harder in the ocean than it is in our laid back lake. Lol! Needless to say I fell in! Ha!

Another one of my favorites was our 6+ mile hike out at Green Sand Beach! Best views in the World!

So happy to have a partner who loves doing what I do - and when he doesn't he plays along. :0)

Another fun adventure was our bike/hike out in the lava fields! Though this girl could have used a helmet! Ha! It looks way easier than it was! It was a bumpy ride and lots of sliding around! But fun!

And how many people get to say they got to run on lava! There was more hiking and climbing, some running and jumping! What an amazing experience!

And the reward at the end was an active volcano! We got to watch lave erupt and flow right into the ocean!
We talk of one day laying on the beach sipping a drink, but neither of us are sure it's in us to do it! We really enjoy an active vacation! What about you?

Lumo Run Goes to Ironman

You can't imagine the excitement in the air for Ironman even just stepping off the plane in Kona.

Athletes, family members, people working Ironman, and spectators are all welcomed. The sport and tradition were very honored here on the Big Island!

I was super excited to meet Mark Mastalir who consults with Lumo Run. What a great guy! I look forward to working with him in the future!

My husband and I were given VIP access at the Ironman events. It was such a great time!! My favorite was the VIP seating at the finish line. You can't beat that!!

I had a couple Lumo Runs to giveaway. Ashley Davis found me on her run to claim hers!

And the second Lumo Run went to Jen Rulon of Rulon Racing! Can't wait for them to try out their new virtual coaches! 

It is amazing what this little device can do! I never go on a run without it!

It's truly a great device for runners of all levels! It helps you focus on important areas such as cadence, bounce, breaking, drop, and rotation. It's like having a coach in your back pocket!

Lumo Run always finishes strong and now you can too!!

Lumo Run #thisismycoach Contest

My best friend JessRunsBlessed let me know right away about a contest Lumo Run was having to win a trip to Kona. She knew it is a dream of mine to go to Kona for the Ironman World Championships. So right away I entered the contest. I was on pins and needles every day I wanted to win so badly! 

Jess asked me what I wanted for my birthday and seriously all I wanted was this trip to Kona! I never win anything!

Then on September 6 (my mom's birthday), I won!!!!! My friend Susan Oyler texted me that night saying OMG Congratulations!! I was like What?!?! And then it hit me! I told my husband Oh my gosh I think I won! I was shaking and he was asking me what I won and getting rather frustrated with my hysterics and not telling him what I won. Lol! And then I saw the post and I was screaming, crying, shaking, couldn't breathe. I was hysterical really! I was in complete and total shock! It was a dream come true!! I cannot even explain the overwhelming excitement and gratitude I was feeling!

In just a month I would be heading to Kona, Hawaii to watch some of the world's most talented athletes compete in the 2016 World Championships!