"A lot excuses, none of them good."
I heard this once from my friend and colleague, Sue Aquila, and I think it pretty much sums up my thoughts about Kona this year. I had tremendous support from my family, friends and sponsors and for that, I want to say a very sincere, Thank You.
Hopefully next year I can give it another (better) shot.
Now, in the continued spirit of less words and more photos, this year's Kona Photo Blog with commentary:
My cat, Siggy, helping with the packing.
Shot from the shore of our condo a few hours after I arrived.
A sunset photo snapped by Brooke on her first night in town.
The overalls I'm wearing are not ironic, nor do they have anything to do with the fact that I went to Texas A&M. I actually find them to be quite helpful when doing extensive work on my bike.
I met Laurel Wassner back in 2011 while training in Tucson with Cliff. This year she and I were the final professionals to qualify for Kona on either side. Photo was snapped after the pro meeting on Thursday.
Our condo we rented was somewhat unassuming from the road, but the inside grounds and the view of the ocean were pretty fantastic.
Had the pleasure of having a few swim sessions with friend, and swim coach, Tim Floyd (center). Pictured here is his crew from Magnolia Masters in The Woodlands, Texas; including defending IMTX champion, Matt Hanson.
Brooke and I with one of the best in the biz, Dave Christen (RD of IM Boulder, Boulder 70.3 BPeak and various other legs of IM races around the States).
A photo Brooke snapped about 5-10 minutes before starting. All the paddle boarders do an amazing job of making everyone hold the starting line. It's unlike any other race in the world with an in-water start.
Mark Pietrofesa and I hanging out on White Sands Beach. We first met in early 2008 through Gordo Byrn. Since then, he and I have met up all over the place and have met at various race sites around the world.
A shot of White Sands Beach. One of the few beaches situated on Ali'i Drive.
Another Brooke sunset shot.
A flower. That's all I got.
Art Gallery in Hilualoa.
Working through the various pre-race set up tasks.
Brooke and her mother, Gail, at bike check in.
This post race photo was snapped by good friend, Dave Walker, from Boulder. To my right is Rachel Joyce, who put together another solid race in Hawai'i, finishing 2nd, her third straight podium finish in Kona.
Ray Picard and I. Ray is originally from Mexico and currently resides in Hong Kong. He and I have known one another since 2012 and it's been a real pleasure to see him progress every year since then. He has numerous strengths as an athlete, but one of the most impressive is his resilience in the heat; an absolute must to be successful when training in Hong Kong.
Brooke and I got married on a beach north of Kona in 2010. Our anniversary fell on Monday after the race and we were fortunate to celebrate our 5th anniversary on the island.
This church is situated on the one other Ali'i Drive beach near the run turnaround.
A few days after the race, I drove Brooke up to see Hilualoa and the surrounding high mountain terrain. When I have spent some extended time in Kona, I always liked to ride up high where the roads are quiet and everything slows down. Brooke and I walked from the main road down to a place called the Hilualoa Inn and found this view. Going to need to stay more than five minutes some time soon.
A very amateur attempt by a mainland-Colorado-boy at bodysurfing.
Sup.
Palm Trees.
Our flowers from our anniversary leis headed out to sea.
Sup.
Sup.
A photo snapped in the first mile of run by long time friend, Kevin Burnette (of Modcraft Studio in Boulder, CO). Kevin and I raced numerous times against one another while were in college in Texas. Every race we ever did, he ran me down and beat me. One day, when he inevitably caught me on the run, I decided I was going to run with him until I died. I thought I would last a few seconds, but I managed to stay with him for the next four miles. Even though he ultimately still got me in the final 100 meters, that race changed me as an athlete, even to this day. It was the first moment I truly found that the limitations we place on ourselves always begin in our minds.