We are officially in race week now, and I made an early escape to drive to the end of the Queen K, to jump on my bike and ride up to Hawi at sunrise. Up to Hawi, on the race course to the turn around, and then I carried on up and over the Kohala’s with views back down the coastline, and the Queen K, towards Kona.
In 2023, I was fortunate to receive a Wild Card to compete in Kona, having suffered a brain bleed when I was hit by a car during the bike leg of Ironman Brazil, in May 2023.
I came to Kona, having taken a different approach to training in the months leading in. My coach Julie Dibens had tried to remove as much of the stresses as she could, so whilst we did do some structured intervals, a lot of the sessions were less structured – just getting out and riding my bike in the mountains (for example). On the Saturday before the World Championship race, we went completely off plan – rather than intervals and hours on the Queen K, we rode to Hawi, and over the Kohala’s to Waimea.
This later section from Hawi, isn’t part of the course. It’s luscious mountains climbing up to over 3500ft, away from the harsh lava landscape on the race course. Away from the chaos, just out riding bikes and enjoying life.
This year, with not being in the race, not needing to ride the Queen K, I made the most of being able to get out to this far part of the island, and switch off, just enjoying riding my bike as the sun rose up, and the day started to come alive. Remembering back to 2023 with good memories.
Relaxed and calm
After the peace of my ride, I headed back to Kona, the town alive, and a hive of activity, with triathletes swimming, biking and running, at the Pier, out on the Queen K, and along Ali’i Drive.
Those already done with their training were adorning the many cafes and restaurants along the front. Training sessions discussed, the course dissected, nervous laughter, but excited energy.
Today I was able to catch up with a few Age Group friends, learning more about their journey and the work put in, to get to Kona.
Ruth Simmons, from the UK, qualified at IRONMAN UK, Leeds on 27th July 2025, by winning her Age Group. Ruth is a mum of three, and a doctor with her own practice. She started triathlon seeing her husband riding his bike, not too many years ago, but has had some great success already.
From beginner to silver medallist at the 2024 European Long Course Championships, to now Kona qualifier. Simmons is part of the Brownlee Fitness squad in the UK, balancing her training with family and work life.
Being in Kona with her Mum and sister in law, it’s the longest time that Simmons has spent away from her kids. What struck me was how relaxed and calm she was. Her first time in Kona, and perhaps it was the jet lag (having just arrived from the UK), but she just had this calm presence, and air about her. Yet an appreciation and excitement for the day ahead.
Knibb double act in Kona
I was also fortunate enough to have lunch with Leslie Knibb, an Age Group athlete from the USA, who also just happens to be Taylor Knibb’s Mum. Leslie, is incredibly humble and self-depreciating of her ability, and being worthy enough for an interview. In fact she did her very best to ask me questions for the first hour, to ensure she didn’t have to answer any of my questions hoping we would run out of time. I found Knibb so fascinating I felt we could have chatted for hours.
In contrast to Simmons, Knibb has been involved in the sport for many many years, this her seventh start at the IRONMAN World Championships. In fact it was Leslie racing a triathlon, that inspired her daughter (Taylor) to take up the sport. “I don’t want to be on the side of the road watching, I want to be in the race,” the young Knibb would explain!
This is the second time both mother and daughter have raced at the IRONMAN World Championship, the first being in 2023. They don’t stay together race week, Leslie respecting that her daughter is doing this as her profession, her job, and the need to ensure that everything is in place for her, allowing Taylor to fully focus. At the same time, Leslie has all the naturally motherly sensations you would expect, when they are racing. Wanting to look out for where Taylor is on course, checking she is ok, how she’s doing.
I am excited to watch and cheer on both Ruth and Leslie on Saturday, with all the other women, as well, Age Groupers and Pros alike.
T-4 sleeps….
Café of the day: Kona Haven – ocean facing on Ali’I Drive, just not too far from the infamous Lava Java. They have the best white choc, mac nut cookies, that are seriously the best cooking I’ve ever had. Give the Aerocino a try too!
Click here for Laura Siddall’s preview and predictions ahead of the IRONMAN World Championship.
Are we in a triathlon boom, or hurtling towards burnout? Laura Siddall on the growth of the sport
