Thanks everyone for checking in on me about my crick, all is good, a few sessions with my chiro Ken at Active Care and I was back on my feet. Thanks!
Sometimes, you just have to decide.
This weekend I stood at a crossroads. It’s a weekend I will always remember for the rest of my life. I had some decisions to make and some discussions to have with Troy. And now, I have looked at the paths in front of me, I have imagined what each road will look like, the twists, the turns, the terrain. I noticed one of the paths was littered with elevation gain, steep hills, and sweat lining the sides of the dirty gravel road. I have seen the potholes, the speed bumps and the cattle guards. And I have decided…that is the path for me.
I’m going all in for Kona.
I don’t think I need to explain the history of KONA. If you don’t follow traithlons, you still know what Kona is, you have this vague idea that it’s this crazy long event, people crawl across the finish line sometimes, there is lava involved, it’s really hot, and it’s a big deal. My friend Adam said it best (I’m stealing your words Adam, you can call later for your royalty check 
):
…from my point of view that’s THE event. Each and every year it adds to and sometimes rewrites the history of the sport, and you want to be a part of it. We do not get to play at Wimbledon or race Le Tour, but we can do Kona. There may be other races this season that are important to you, but they do not make history
Chuckie offered me the opportunity, he revealed to me “the path”. He offered to train me in a way that will have me standing on the line at Kona in the best body and mind that I am capable of at this juncture in my life. A chance to have the best coach in the sport, coach me to MY best in the sport. To say that it will require commitment, sacrifice, blood, sweat, tears… well, that would just be honest. It’s going to take those things and more to travel the road that I have chosen.
The next three months I am training for Kona, and only Kona. No nationals, no Budapest, no Cedar Point, no riding across Colorado, no Run Rabbit Run, no, no, no, no. It’s all a nope.
And to what end? Well, to the best end that I can achieve. I don’t know the answer to that, but I know that goals will come along the way as the work gets done.
People ask me why, and I say, I don’t know why, but I know that I am driven when I do.
-Ray Zahab
Excellent choice!
“When you come to a fork in the road, take it.” – Yogi Berra
You GO Grrrrrl!!!!
Luv U
Go Sonja! I can’t wait to follow your journey to Kona!
Love, Love, Love this post!!
Go with all you got!!
There is comfort in the decision once made – even if that decision will bring you much challenge and *discomfort.* I really enjoyed this post; it reminds all of us, no matter what our level, that we need to make smart training and racing decisions. And, then, once made – go *all in* with all of our heart and body. Looking forward to following your training.
Hey Sonja !
Good luck ! you are amazing !
AWESOME!! Hang on to your hat, it’s gonna be quite a ride! And how cool that Ray Zahab commented – I just watched “Running the Sahara” and I think he ROCKS! You both do!!
P.S.
Glad you got your crick worked out…
Congrats on such a great and momentual decision! I am so excited for you. I wish you the best in the training ahead and I can’t wait to follow each and every moment. You are my inspiration!
Thank goodness the crick is better!
Good luck with your big decision! I am so excited for you! Can’t wait to hear about your journey. Thanks for sharing it all with us!
YES! that’s awesome news! “You have chosen… wisely.” excited to hear about your forward progress!
I’m so excited for you!! Thanks for bringing us along on the journey!
I look forward to seeing you tear it up in Hawaii!
~felog
You’re going to rock Kona! Can’t wait hear all about the training, the race, and the journey. Grr Sonja Grr!
Just got goosebumps.
I figured the “no CP” news was coming, but I couldn’t be happier for you Sonja.
If Chuckie has some long flat workouts for in store for mid-september, you should still come out and party with me, Momma Bear and the rest of the crew. Just saying…
If the path to Kona takes a detour to come hang out with me in Ohio, I wouldn’t be pissed…
You’ll be missed at Run Rabbit Run. Good luck with your training.
Never a moments doubt that you were going to take this path and that you are going to kick some major Kona-butt!!
I never had any doubt that when you qualified for Kona at IMCdA that it wouldn’t just be a victory lap or a reward for your hard work. You’ve been blessed, not only do you have the physical ability to compete at an elite level; you have the desire to compete at an elite level.
I’m looking forward to watching you take on this event. You reached new heights qualifying; now it’s time to take it to the next level.
All the best to you and the Family,
Ron