Kona Hawaii October 11, 2008
Ironman Triathlon World Championship
Swim 2.4 Miles Bike 112 Miles Run 26.2 Miles

I’m standing on the balcony of a restaurant looking out to the swim start; there is a Navy Ship in the bay, a floating sentry watching out for the Navy Seals in this race who want to conquer the Ironman. I’m listening to the helicopter propellers overhead and the constant beating of the Polynesian Toere Drum paying homage to Pele “Goddess of fire”; the sun now peaks out over Mauna Kea onto Kailua Bay and the cannon booms.

Tears now in my eyes, enjoying this view, knowing what the chaos feels like…in a split second it is a sudden weakness of overwhelming adrenalin that moves to all parts of your body then a rush of incredible power; the time has now come for you to perform. The Months of training…the worries of just getting to the starting line are over and you are on your journey.

I don’t know what it is about this race that draws the best and the most serious competitors; I do know it’s important as a triathlete to get here and feel the power of this race.

The Hawaii Ironman is a much different race now then when I raced here in 1982 & 83’, back then it was the only Ironman Race and there were only half the competitors willing to test themselves. We were also on our own, we rode out to the Queen K with only loved ones or no one cheering you on Palani Drive, then, it was 112 miles of long hills, endless lava and wind, sometimes 50 miles an hour.

God forbid, your bike brakes down because you fix it or you’re out of the race. This race, a pro had a flat in front of me and spent more than a few minutes trying to replace the tube only to have the new tube burst again with too much air; so he threw his helmet down, kicked the bike and waited 10 minutes for an official to come with a new wheel and send him on his way.

The race course has changed some; now it is more spectator friendly.

Michele looked really good on the bike, strong and without any doubt about the race; we then positioned ourselves at the 1.5 mile mark of the first hill of the run. Anyone having trouble on this hill we gave encouragement and reminded them they had lots of time and to just keep moving. When Michele passed she said the bike was a bitch with the wind but she was strong and moving well; we called Derek & Melanie to say she just passed so they would be seeing her soon by the Sugar Shack 5 miles into the race. We saw Michele again at the 15 kilometer mark, she enjoyed the cheers and we said we will see her at the finish line.

Michele could only get 2 family passes for the finish area so Derek and I were waiting for her as she crossed the finish. The finish is like a 100 meter red carpet runway gated and with spectators 5 or 6 deep on both sides, the cheering is deafening. Well… she looked really good at the finish, not tired, all smiles, so Michele, Derek & I cried tears of joy; it was an emotional, beautiful thing. When I finished in 1982 I went right to the medical tent for a heart message and a complimentary McDonald’s hamburger & chocolate shake from the local Mickey D’s; 10 minutes later I staggered to the King Kamehameha Hotel entrance and then to the elevator to my room. I was soo sore the next day that I could not cross the street because the curb was too much for me to navigate. Michele got in such great shape that she had none of the symptoms I experienced after the race or the next day.

Michele you where ready for this race! Thank you for being my daughter, for being so strong, for not giving up, for making it to the starting line and then the finishing line…I get goose bumps just thinking about it!

I Love You!

Jim Muehe
Ironman 1982-83’