Mary Eggers

Day five in Kona was a relatively mellow one. We had some recovering to do after the Ironman World Championships. And it was Charlie’s birthday!

I began the day with a 10 mile run along Alii Drive. I was the girl smiling. So many people were out running and cycling…. and no one was smiling. I wanted to stand in the middle of the road and shout “HELLO! WE ARE RUNNING ON ALII DRIVE IN HAWAII! SMILE”.

I couldn’t think of one reason not to smile while I was running. I am in Hawaii!!!!!

Next it was on to the TYR luncheon, where we got to rub elbows with Craig Alexander and Andy Potts, relax poolside and make some goggles. It was perfect to be mellow and chat it up with the gang.

This evening we went to the awards ceremony for the Ironman World Championships. Many of our QT2 Systems athletes got on the podium, and it was awesome.

Pete Jacobs…. the men’s winner, I found to be particularly inspiring. He reminded me of why I do this to begin with. He said that he asked his friends and family to tell him something about love during race day. Whether it be…. Love what you are doing….. LOVE it brother…… You gotta LOVE it…… because he wanted to be reminded of why he was out there. Because he LOVES TO BE OUT THERE.

That resonated with me. I sat up and took notice. I love to be out there too brother! We have something in common, THIS is my language. I LOVE that I get to be an athlete. I LOVE that I get to run down Alii Drive. I LOVE that I get to be coaching these athletes. I LOVE that I get to have the physical ability (I have lost it before….. TWICE….. so I have an appreciation that others might not).

Passion and love and sport have a lot to lend to sport. When you find that passion you know it. When you lose it you know it. Right now I have it. I have it back. And that’s what drives me. He spoke about how he put together his all star team. How he found the shazzy, and man I loved that.

I loved what Peter Jacobs had to say. I identified with him. I think many of us do.

Time in Hawaii is coming to a close. It’s been wild. Absolutely wild. We are going to make Monday all about the water. Surfing. Cliff jumping. A possible kick off with a former world champion. And no worries, it will be Go Pro’d this time!!!!

I love Hawaii. I am having a freaking BLAST!

And I think I have found my shazzy.