Cornerstone No. 190, page 12
we are not allowed to ride in a “peloton”, or big group, so there was no way to
escape the wind. Another 30 km up the road the wind died down, only to come
back as a cross wind and then a head wind for the last 20km as we climbed to
the highest point of the course; the village of Hawi. As I turned around I
realised I had lots of time to get back to the pier in Kona. I just had to cycle
safely.
On the way back to Kona the wind had swung round and there was a headwind
for the last 60km of the bike ride. Arriving back at the pier and getting off the
bike I had lots of time to complete the marathon, 42.2 km run, but the wind
and the undulating course had taken a lot of energy out of my legs. The
marathon was going to be a very long walk.
In Hawaii it gets dark very early and I was glad I had placed a small head torch
into my pocket. It served me well. My family were all watching my progress on
the athlete tracking system; we all knew I had plenty of time I just had to grind
out the marathon. I had rehearsed this run in my mind so many times over the
weeks building up to the race. As I made the last turn-around in the Natural
Energy Lab, I looked at my watch and I still had 4½ hours to walk the last 14km
back to the finish line on Ali’i Drive. I had time. I kept walking with my head
held high.
I kept drinking water and coke and eating fruit, as I went and then I was back
in the town of Kona, The support started to grow as I made my way down the
hill of Palani Road for the last time. Then to be greeted like a hero by my family
I had just a mile to go. The number of supporters kept growing as I jogged
gently downhill to the sea and the famous Ali’i Drive. The encouragement grew
more and more vocal as I made my way towards the carpet which marks the
last 50m of the course. The crowds were leaning over the railing holding their
hands out to hi-5 and congratulate me. I really felt like a star as I ran up the
carpet with my arms outstretched soaking up the atmosphere, and the energy.
It felt as if I had won, and in my own terms I had.
It was worth every single penny it had cost me to get there; all the hours of
training; all the previous races; all the restless nights. It all made perfect sense
– it was all for this one moment on the carpet they had laid out on Ali’i drive to
welcome us home. And then it was all over, I had crossed the Finish line. Race
Time: 14:43:16
Thank you to everyone who has supported me over the years, my family, and
my friends. It has been one amazing journey, and it continues. I want to go
back to Kona. I don’t know how, I don’t know when. But there really is a pot of
human gold on that finish line, and I want more.
Robert Kenneth