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Race morning was good. I was calm, but that is
nothing new for me. I'm lucky in that my way of
dealing with the stress of race morning is just to try and
have a little bit more fun, joke around a little, laugh
and smile a little.
Around 6:40, Heather Fuhr and I got into the water and
swam around the pier to find a good start position.
I had decided to try wearing the Seal mask goggles, the
ones that look like snorkeling goggles. They look so
dorky, but you get a great view above the water for
sighting. I really didn't want anyone to see me in
them, but what do you know, the photographers swim right
up to me and start snapping pictures.
 The gun went off and at exactly the same time, the guy
next to me belted me in the face with his fist! Nice
start to the day! My only thought was that I hoped
he had hurt his hand more than he hurt my face!
As I got about a quarter of the way through the swim,
things started to calm down a bit, buy I was still trying
to position myself in the thick of things, hoping that I
would end up with a faster swim, as I usually get
frustrated and move towards the outside, looking for open
water.
 By the turn around boat, I see Heather
again! I knew she saw me too, and it's rather nice
to see a friend out there in all the mayhem. We were
separated again, but by the end, managed to be within
about 20 seconds of one another after the swim.
It is so hard to tell what position you are in at this
point. But, I always know that the good swimmers are way
ahead! This is what motivates me to try and get
things going on my bike right away. After the climb
up Palani Hill, I couldn't believe how hard the winds were
already blowing just past the airport.
I catch up with Heather, say a few quick words, and
keep going, hoping that she will have a good day too.
Before the turn to Hawi, I've already caught and passed
people I don't usually pass until later in the race, so I
figured that maybe my day was going okay. Udo Bolts,
the pro cyclist from the Telekom team, passed me like a
speeding bullet. He was so smooth, and it was
awesome to see such a good rider, even if only for a few
seconds.
The cross winds were so bad I felt like I was riding
sideways. Next came the hail. Hail in
Hawaii? I would rather have hail than cross
winds! Unfortunately, we got both! So here I
was riding in hail, getting blown sideways, and hoping
that everyone else was having as much trouble as I was.
After the turn around at Hawi, I figured it was time to
really get my
 motor going and pick up some speed on
my bike. I usually get stronger as the bike ride
goes on.
Unfortunately on this day, I didn't feel like there was
any second gear. I was riding okay, but not
great. And in Hawaii you can't win the race by just
being okay - you need to be great.
At this point, I was more than ready to stop. For
almost the whole ride, I had had a huge amount of pain at
the back of my head, and it was now stiffening in my
neck. I'm sure the tension of trying to hang on to
my bike wasn't helping the situation any!
At least I was still moving forward and passing more
women, so I figured I would continue, until the end of the
bike ride anyways!
I finally neared town. Usually I would smile,
from the rush of seeing all the spectators, but there was
no energy left to do even that.
 As I passed the condos where we stay, I saw Heather
Fuhr and her husband Roch standing watching. I had
to do a double take, and realized that Heather had pulled
out. Every bit of me wished I was standing there
beside her.
I changed into my run gear. I didn't have to
worry about starting out too fast - there was no
chance. I moved along slowly, and just picked my way
up the first hill, then down into the pit and back
out. I
could see Wingnut just ahead of me. I
finally caught her and told her that I liked her bathing
suit!! Then we both sort of laughed.
I managed to slowly inch ahead of her, but it was a
struggle. I started eating some Gu's and drinking
coke, but it didn't seem like anything could give back my
lost energy. I had no idea how I could possibly make
it through a whole marathon.
I just kept hoping that the next mile would feel
better. So, with my sore, bloated stomach, and sore
head and neck, I carried on! Heading back towards
the condos again, I was looking for Rock and Heather, but
thankfully didn't see them. So I kept going and
headed into town to the loud cheering of the crowds.
I was so thankful to see and hear all of them.
I was hoping to feel the same energy I had last year
just before I ran up the Pay 'n' Save hill and caught
Karen Smyers. Well, it wasn't the same, but at least
it was enough to continue up the hill.
Finally up on the highway, I could see Fernanda and
Beth about 3 and 4 minutes ahead of me. This gave me
hope - I must have been making up a little bit of ground.
I didn't even know where Natascha was, and didn't
really care, she was in another world. As I headed
towards the airport, I finally felt like I was running the
way I was capable. It took a bike ride to hell, and
10 minutes of running before I felt good. I could
finally get some leg turnover going. Well, better
late than never!
For some reason, the Energy Lab is my favourite section
of the run. I think it's because most people fall
apart in there, and I always feel good. At the turn
around in the energy lab I get a chance to see how close
Beth and Fernanda are and realize that I can catch them
both. They keep getting closer and closer.
Finally, just before exiting the Energy Lab, I pass
Beth and tell her she's doing a great job. I know I
will pass Fernanda soon as well. She is just in
front. I almost feel bad. If I pass her she
will be in third position, again. But I wasn't about
to give up on second either! If I finish second,
that will be my third second place finish in Kona!!
I catch Fernanda and I know she will hang on for a
while, as she is tough and never gives up. This has
been such a hard day, that I will fight all the way to the
finish. Fernanda steps on the back of my feet and I
stumble. It only happens once and doesn't bother
me. I know it was an accident.
Shortly after, a competitor going the other way reaches
for some water, and hits me hard in the stomach. I
screamed, and grabbed my stomach, which was sore to begin
with. I found myself hyperventilating and gasping
for air. After five minutes, I am able to breathe
normally again. I feel so ragged at this point, but
I know that soon I will be finished.
Fernanda has dropped back, but I am afraid to look
behind. After the day I've had, I'm determined to
get to that line. As I run towards the finish, I'm
smiling and happy. I am relieved to get to the
finish line.
 What a day! At the finish, I
don't even know if I am happy or sad. I'm happy that
I turned a horrible day into a better day. When
describing the race, I tell my friends that it was like
going to hell and back, so I am happy about placing second
on such a tough day.
At the same time, I am sad, as now I finally realize
how much it really means to be the Hawaii Ironman
Champion. I think it takes a full year before you
realize what it means to you.
But, all is not lost. Those really, really tough
races teach you alot. I know I can dig deeper than I
ever had before. I hardly thought about the Hawaii
Ironman all year, and now, it is on my mind every day.
 I had discovered a whole new motivation and
determination that didn't exist within me before.
Suddenly I am more excited about training and racing than
ever before!!!
See you in 2001
Lori
Bowden
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