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The Big Island buzzed with excitement and energy during the Men's IRONMAN World Championship, a true celebration of determination and spirit!

As the warm sun bathed the athletes and the music filled the air, there was an undeniable sense of ‘Ohana’—a bond that united us all. Every heartbeat echoed with promise as we swam toward the starting line, ready to embrace the challenge.

But as fate would have it, my journey took an unexpected twist. Just minutes into the swim, I was stung by a Portuguese Man-O-War—a fierce reminder that obstacles can strike when we least expect them. My forehead and forearms felt numb, but instead of succumbing to the pain, I embraced the philosophy of resilience. I focused on my breath, my rhythm, and the road ahead.

Upon reaching T1, the volunteers’ kindness soothed my discomfort and propelled me into the next phase: the 112-mile bike ride. The oppressive heat and relentless winds in the lava fields tested my limits, yet I forged ahead, drawing strength from the challenges. Even as hot spots threatened my feet, I remained steadfast, knowing that each mile was a testament to my tenacity.

When I finally reached the pier and dismounted the bike, relief washed over me despite the lingering sting. The run began, and I fought to find my rhythm, using ice and Coke to fuel my revival. Losing the lid of my water bottle felt like a setback, but hope arrived serendipitously when I found a replacement cap—a tiny miracle that reminded me of life’s unpredictable gifts.

Then, at mile 16, my journey took a beautiful turn as my athlete, John Renken, joined me on the run. Together, we embodied the spirit of unity and perseverance, crossing the finish line on Alii Drive in a moment of pure triumph. John’s selflessness and leadership illuminated the path, showcasing the power of support in overcoming adversity.

Reflecting on that day, I see the profound parallel to life itself. Just as we face exhilaration, challenges, and moments of doubt, we learn that together — through shared struggles and collective strength — we can conquer any obstacle.

A heartfelt aloha goes out to everyone who made this experience unforgettable. You are the encouragement that fuels our relentless spirit. Remember, in the face of adversity, never give up. Embrace the journey, uplift one another, and let your determination shine brightly!

The stage is set under the breathtaking skies of the Big Island of Hawaii, where tomorrow, a fierce army of 2,500 athletes will rise to the challenge, surrounded by the devoted spirit of thousands of volunteers at the 2024 Men's IRONMAN World Championship.

As the sun graces the horizon, these warriors will dive into the ocean’s embrace, swim 2.4 miles, conquer 112 miles on their bicycles, and summon every ounce of strength to run 26.2 miles. This isn’t just a race; it’s a symphony of spirit, community, and incredible history that binds us all together.

I discovered my “why” back in January of 1980, when only 99 brave souls dared to compete on Oahu. How the world has evolved since then! Yet, in the grand tapestry of progress, some threads remain unbroken—the relentless pursuit of our dreams and the courage to stand tall in the face of adversity.

This sport has been my greatest teacher, instilling in me the values of relentless determination, unwavering drive, and the beauty of vulnerability. It has shown me that true strength lies not just in finishing but in the journey—in the ability to adapt, to persevere, and to emerge from battles, no matter how fierce, with an unyielding spirit.

As I embark on my 50th Ironman distance event and race for the 11th time in Kona, I reflect on the profound evolution of my journey. Forty-four years ago, I could never have envisioned this moment. I am eternally grateful for the Queen K, my incredible team, the vibrant TriDot community, and above all, my “Sensational Six” athletes who light up my heart with joy, happiness, and a depth of inspiration beyond words.

To each participant, I offer my heartfelt wishes for a transformative race experience. As you journey down the iconic Alii Drive, remember—the final 50 yards on the red carpet are not just a finish line; they are the culmination of years of dreams, sacrifices, and unwavering belief in yourself.

Embrace this moment; allow it to change your life. Let each stroke, pedal, and stride echo through your spirit, connecting you to the legacy of those who dared to dream, just like you did. Live fiercely, love deeply, and race boldly—your moment is here, and it will shape you forever.

This past week on the Big Island with Queen K has been nothing short of extraordinary as we gear up for the 2024 Men's IRONMAN World Championships.

From breathtaking sunsets to savoring delicious poki and enjoying the rich flavors of local coffee, every moment has been a true celebration of our journey. It has also been incredibly rewarding to connect with my athletes during this crucial phase of their final preparations for the race next Saturday.

The spirit of Ohana, accompanied by an infectious positive energy, is palpable all around us. With favorable weather predicted for race day, we stand poised and ready to embrace the challenges ahead. Together, we are not just preparing for a race; we are creating memories that will last a lifetime. Let’s make this an unforgettable experience!

It is truly inspiring to witness individuals achieve remarkable success and witness their hard work pay off. I had the distinct pleasure of coaching Matthieu Van Veen, Chief Revenue Officer at IROMAN, and his journey exemplifies the power of determination and resilience.

Despite facing extensive travel and the unpredictable challenges posed by hurricanes in Florida, Matthieu demonstrated unwavering trust in the TriDot training platform. This past weekend, he participated in the IRONMAN North Carolina 70.3 event and delivered an outstanding performance, finishing with a remarkable time of 5:39—well ahead of his predicted 5:44. His race ex*****on was nothing short of sensational, and his enjoyment in his performance speaks volumes about his commitment and spirit.

Stories like Matthieu's resonate deeply with me and enrich my experience as a coach. Collaborating with driven professionals who fully embrace the sport of triathlons, along with the countless benefits of staying active within a supportive community, brings me immense fulfillment. It is a privilege to guide and witness such transformative journeys.

The weekend at the TriDot Pool in Orlando was highly successful. Both Scott DeRue and Matthieu Van Veen from IRONMAN demonstrated exceptional performance, each achieving impressive improvements in their 100-yard freestyle times—16 and 20 seconds faster, respectively.

You also have the opportunity to enhance your freestyle performance and achieve similar results. Openings remain for the upcoming TriDot Pool Schools, which will be held in Los Angeles and San Diego.

https://www.tridot.com/tridot-pool-school/about

It is hard to believe that I graduated from Kearny High School over 50 years ago!

Last week I was informed that I would be inducted into the 2025 Kearny Komet Hall of Fame. I was told the process is arduous and very competitive which includes being nominated, vetted, and voted in.

To create some context, back in the 70's, Kearny was a powerhouse in athletics. I played football and was on the swimming team and looking back it was evident that swimming was my niche, that I was able to parlay into the sport of triathlons and now leveraging the opportunity to also serving as a professional triathlete coach.

I am grateful to the people who believed in me. I am grateful for the mentors I had along the way. I am grateful that this small little inter-city community produced some superlative individuals.

This has been an incredible ride and I am truly over the moon to be amongst some remarkable people who inspired me to be a "Mad Dog" and do it with grace and humility in all aspects of life.

The IRONMAN Canada races this past weekend were epic!

Mother Nature was a participant along with 1,800 athletes and over 2,000 incredible volunteers. When Queen K and I arrived on Thursday night, everything seem to be falling into place. On Friday, the weather was beautiful and the water was 73 degrees. On Saturday, the air temperature dropped to 60 degrees and it rained all day long. The water temperature dropped to 65 degrees. On Sunday morning it was clear and the air temperature was 50 degrees.

The water temperature dropped to 57 degrees and as I walked into the transition area, it was announced the swim would be shortened to 900 meters and the race start time postponed to 7:45 am. I also noticed my rear tire with a disc wheel was flat. I had to get this issue resolved right away. At 7:00 am, they announced the swim was cancelled (I later learned the water had dropped to 50 degrees).

Therefore, we had to wait two hours for a biathlon. Yes, we would bike and run without a swim which is similar to going to a restaurant and not having an appetizer or salad or soup, and going right into your main course.

At about 9:00 a.m. I took off on my bike with one other athlete. they were sending off two athletes every five seconds. This was so different. No swim, just bike and run, similar to doing a race rehearsal at home. Everyone was pushing the pace and I felt good, especially when I was at 70 miles. I checked my bike computer and noticed my Normalized Power was close to 190 which was higher than I wanted and knew that I had climbed over 5,000 feet. I lowered my intensity the last 20 miles and at mile 110, had a flat on my rear tire and made a decision to ride it into the transition, rather than stop and fix the flat. I was over the moon with a 6:07 bike split for 112 miles.

The run was warm and a few hills in the beginning and elevated HR got into my head and I need to shift that mindset and keep running. I felt better at mile 8 - 21 and it was super exciting to be racing with my athletes which made me lead by example and be tough. At mile 24, I was in a decline with my energy and fatigue and someone let me know I was in third place with the fourth place competitor was a few minutes behind and within striking range. I did my best to just keep moving and shuffling and keep going.

I was beyond fortunate to finish in a total time of 11:15 and third place in my age group and earned a slot to the 2025 IRONMAN World Championship in Nice, France.

All five of my athletes (Julie Hester, Kelly Mulvany, Gene Peters, John Renken, and Pat McQuade) made me extremely proud. Juli won her age group in the 70.3 event, Kelly went 11:45 in the full distance event, Gene Peters won his age group as the oldest competitor in the race, John Renken was second in his age group in the 70.3 event, and Pat was fifth in her age group in the 70.3 race.

Shout out goes out to everyone who competed in this race and the volunteers were remarkable. We could not have done it without you. Super shout out to Queen K who was in my heart and in my head throughout the day which allowed me to finish strong. TriDot Triathlon Training

Our TriDot coaching is elated and overjoyed relative to this new announcement which is well deserved. Michellie is the master in so many ways and we are grateful to have her on our coaching staff and also be an integral part of IRONMAN U:

IRONMAN World Champion Michellie Jones joins Roster of IRONMAN U Master Coaches TAMPA, Fla. (August 20, 2024) – IRONMAN, together with TriDot, has announced that IRONMAN Hall of Famer Michellie Jones, an Olympic medalist and the first Australian woman to win the IRONMAN World Championship, has joined the IRONMAN U team as a Master Coach. IRONMAN U Master Coaches serve a fund...

Greetings!

I am hoping everyone is having a fantastic Friday and wanted to share this update regarding our TriDot Pool School, We continue to get remarkable improvement rates and at our pool school last weekend in Chicago, there was a 19.4% improvement rate from our participants.

It is time to take action, optimize your swimming skills, and enroll in a pool school near you:

https://www.tridot.com/pool-school/los-angeles-oct-12-2024

Greetings!

We are super excited about this announcement and additional resource that can be utilized by our TriDot athletes and coaches:

Zwift Announces TriDot as First Zwift Link Connection This link creates a more seamless training experience between the two platforms, allowing TriDot athletes to easily export bike and run workouts to Zwift for ex*****on in Zwift’s immersive worlds.

Attention All Triathletes and Future Triathletes!

We are in need of triathletes at any level who are curious about getting faster, preventing injuries, and embracing a state-of-the-art online personalized platform via a research study.

You will get two months FREE of optimized training that will meet your specific needs. The requirements are as follows: 1) You are actively pursuing a triathlon during the next 12 months; and 2) You train with a device with GPS and/or power. From there you connect your device and your journey has begun.

Keep in mind that TriDot is the Official Training Platform of IRONMAN: Here is your sign-up link to get you started:

https://app.tridot.com/onboard/sign-up/kurtmadden?type=81&sub=64

The Oregon 70.3 event this past weekend came through for TriDot for all of the volunteers, and for all of the sherpas!

Despite the thunder and lightning during the night and just before the swim, athletes sailed down this river at super fast speeds. It was remarkable to come out in 20 minutes.

It was raining for the first portion of the bike, with a little hail; however, the course was fast and people were flying. Near the end of the bike, I came up on a person who had his entire crank arm come off and he was pedaling with one leg. Oh dear! I gave him a shout out and told him to keep grinding.

This run course was remarkable. We had cloud cover with a little bit of wind for the majority of the time. Furthermore, the volunteers were incredible.

Julie Hester and Gene Peters both earned a slot to the 2025 World Championships in Mallorca, Spain. Additionally, Gene is currently ranked #1 in the world according to the IRONMMAN All World Athlete ranking. Truly inspired for someone who just turned 80 years young.

I was super pleased to finish 8th in my age group in 5:27 with a 3-day taper and now gearing up for IRONMAN Canada in four weeks.

Shout out to everyone who embraced the mindset to "be the best you can be from start to finish."