In our community, October always feels special. It starts when the leaves begin to change color and pumpkins appear everywhere, while triathletes picture the sun and brutal heat on the lava fields and the famous Coffee Boat. It's almost an obsession! Whether you do casual triathlons in your community, target your next local race or state award, or only race short course or even mini sprints, KONA is the core element, the essence, the drive of our triathlon community.
It brings the sparkle back. It can ignite curiosity in someone new or reignite the fire to get up and go again.
It is a constant flow of energy. I'm not sure if it's the island itself that fuels it, but year after year it has sustained our drive for TRI. There is something special about swimming, cycling, and running back to back, and the island has made it unique. Why not settle for just the bike and run (duathlon), since many people want to skip the swim? Somehow TRI is always the goal to complete, the one that comes with "ANYTHING is POSSIBLE." The island energy keeps that alive for everyone, including those who don't even know it and those who swear "never again" but somehow always find their way back to TRI!
KONA is the driver, the aspiration. One day, maybe it will be possible for me to do an IRONMAN. One day I can be on the island as part of the IRONMAN World Championship. One day, perhaps, I can conquer the island. Perhaps one day I will find my ultimate personal best!
Across the years, KONA has become part of what it means to be a triathlete. It's a core value, even for people who have never raced there, never raced long distance, or only know about triathlon from the outside. When you say "I am a triathlete," it is always associated with KONA. I believe it has brought that constant energy and drive, and it's why this year women and men will gather together on the island for one World Championship. One thing I really liked when I started TRI was the vibe: beginners to the most advanced and elite athletes, the top of the top, all racing in one competition. IRONMAN is just that, and KONA makes it even more special.
You're often asked what you would recommend to your younger self. My answer: don't wait for the perfect moment. Take the opportunity to race, learn, and grow instead of waiting for a "magical" moment when everything lines up. Years will pass, and you may never get the opportunity again, even if you didn't feel ready enough to compete. Race in brutal conditions, learn, grow, and become stronger, smarter, and more mature for the next moment in life, because you did KONA!
For everyone in KONA: embrace your experience, celebrate the journey that brought you there, and be the best you can be on the course. Use all the experience you've built to race your best on the day, keep learning and growing, and be proud of whatever the day offers if you gave it everything. Take on the challenge. It will be hard, and you will face obstacles to overcome and adapt to, but that is why we come: to test ourselves and see that when we put our minds to it, anything is possible!
To all of you, be inspired. For those racing, keep inspiring us. Remember, we are one big Ohana. Take that energy and have a great race!
Anne Basso
Zoot Sports Contributor | Professional Triathlete
Anne is a USAT Level 2 Coach with QT2 Systems LLC and holds an M.S. in Chemistry with a specialized academic focus in Exercise Physiology. As a professional athlete and elite coach, she combines scientific rigor with real-world racing experience to help athletes achieve their goals. Follow her training and coaching insights at @anne_basso on Instagram.
