Before The Big Race  Robin & I have enjoyed 3 days here in Kona, Hawaii.  A little swimming, biking, and running; home-cooked meals; and lots of naps and rest.  It's great seeing many friends here.  My swimming feels the best in a year. We enjoyed a Trinity Triathletes prayer service, arranged by Chad and headed by Pastor Bruce Campbell, the day before and met some new friends.  Funny thing, at the race meeting, asking if anyone was interested in the qualifying slots per age group, I was the only one to raise my hand. They went on without telling.  Guess everyone knows but me.  It didn't matter, though, I'm here to try hard, God's here to make things work out for best.

Race Day 4:30am wakeup. Bike in the dark to the transition area.  Just like Ironman!  Robin & I rack our bikes opposite each other :)  There's Chad & Ally.  And John, too.  He always looks mellow and excited for us all to race together.  Water's a bit chilly at first. Robin & I pray together.  I realize we have prayed together a lot this year, and seen so many answered.  With a kiss, we swim off our separate ways.  I find a rock and check for sea urchins.  There are 800 swimmers treading water or standing on rocks.  Scott Witthoff joins my perch.  We wait for the gun.

Reflecting I'm here to show my dedication to perseverance.  I've felt called by God to persevere and encourage others to persevere.

I can do everything through Christ who gives me strength.   Phil 4:13

I know on my own, qualifying for the 25th anniversary of the Hawaii Ironman this year is most likely not an option.  And that's ok, because you could say things just haven't gone my way:

May: Broken ankle; July: painful therapy; August: excessive swelling; September: beginning of chronic sleep problems; rt. shoulder pain; October: lt. foot injury from coral; rt. calf injury from ankle break; November: ongoing nausea from sleep medication; weakened state shown on blood tests; December: recovery effort; leave-without-pay; races cancelled; January: running going great; marathon planning; rt. peroneal tendon damaged; Dr. Matt Janzen only doctor to diagnose interference w/metal ankle plate; 2nd ankle surgery; February: crutches again, 1/2 marathon cancelled; ankle healed; Achilles develops tendonitis; biking cancelled (2 wks to care for injured cat); March: marathon cancelled; Dr. Janzen fixes Achilles; April: pneumonia for 3 weeks; cold virus 1 week; rt. shoulder pain worse; May: Dr. Janzen fixes year-long shoulder problem! Workouts suddenly going great; lt. knee hurts; Dr. Janzen fixes knee week before race.

But, nonetheless, I am here today to try qualifying.  May seem unrealistic to those triathletes (like Marco Campagna, Tony Pedeferri, Kimo Seymour and Scott Witthoff) who were at the last qualifier (Cal. Half Ironman) 6 wks ago, watching me finish 32 places out of qualifying.  But that was a successful race for me and if I do my best again, today will be very successful, too.  I'm here to try to qualify.  To actually qualify is up to God.  If it's His will, it will happen.

The Swim Go! I get a good draft & feel good. Check my watch at the turn; 14 min; good!  Push harder coming back. Looking for drafts.  Rt. shoulder feels great.  I accelerate when I feel the swells push me.  The finish is behind a shallow cove of coral.  I have to sight well in order not to end up on the rocks.  I finish great, 45th out of the water, only 3.5 minutes behind the great swimmer, Marco.

The Bike  I jump on the bike, getting up to speed before putting my feet into my shoes.  We turn left on Kuikini Hwy, heading out to the lava fields. My heart rate is too high.  I begin drinking from my aero-bottle the Cytomax Robin mixed for me - yum! good consistency.  Scott Witthoff passes me.  7 weeks ago I was 5 minutes behind Scott after the swim and never saw him.  I'll try to stay near him.  Keep him in sight.

The Hawk Flies By A Saucony jersey  goes by and says something.  Sounds like Chad! "All right, Chad!" But I wonder if it was really him because it seemed he passed so slowly.  When us age groupers pass each other, we do it quickly for intimidation, and then settle back into pace.  But Chad, going by smoothly, never settled back into our pace.  Just kept going.  A 101st out of the water, he would go on to be 2nd after the bike! Passing more bikes than anyone else.  Officials stopped him for being in the left lane too much!  This didn't seem a fair penalty.

Trust And Go Faster I realize this is the day; I must trust God and push harder.  It will hurt. Leading up to the race, I often visualized that my plan would be to simply pedal harder, catching the people that usually leave me behind.  My mind argues: "Ok, push harder, Troy". "But it's hard and I'll blow up and walk the run".  "Just do it, trust God to take care of the rest".  Ok. Scott is now coming back to me.  I'm passing him & encouraging him to keep strong.  I'm passing more guys.  I pass the Queen of Kona, Paula Newby Frazer, telling her she'll always be the greatest.  She says, "Thanks".  I've averaging 24.5mph.  I say "Hi" to Michelle Deasy, the first woman out of the water!  She smiles and encourages me, too.

Could This Be True?!  At 20mi, Muddy Waters on his scooter say's "You're a player, Troy!  You're in 6th place".  Wow!  Chills go up my back.  Could it be true?  6th overall?  I see the lead rider coming back from the turn-around.  It must be Chad. "Go Chad!". Oops, it's Peter Hursty, the guy at the pre-race mtg that voiced his determination to end Chad's 4-time winning streak.  From his face, I don't think he liked my assumption that Chad must be in the lead.  But there's Chad in 2nd. And there's 6th, 7th, ...16th, 17th, there's Marco (I remember seeing him in the same position in 2000), .. 20th, 21st, .. ok, I'm not in 6th but 23rd is great! Wow, last month at the previous qualifier I was 153rd (top 9%) after the bike and now I'm already in the top 3%!  I remember 2 months ago trying unsuccessfully to keep up with Marco on some hills in training.  But I am hoping I will catch him today.  I recite part of Ps. 23 in my head, "The Lord is my Sheppard, I shall not want..", and remind myself I don't want places or awards, just to follow the Lord's will for me.

The Unthinkable We're heading back to town.  I'm in 20th now.  I can't ease up, every pass is important, as is keeping from being passed. I charge up to another guy.  My wheel is a foot from overtaking him.  He speeds up.  I dig into my seat and push harder.  He picks it up more.  I have only 15 seconds to complete the pass.  Knees are starting to hurt.  It's not worth it... I ease up and fall back 3 bike-lengths (the legal separation required when a pass fails).  He motors ahead.  I'll try again later.  But I feel a wobble.  A slight instability under my rear wheel.  I glance down.  The tire's slightly wider where it hits the road.  I look up thinking, "I didn't see that.  I'll look down again, and this time the tire will be narrow and firm".  Nope, it still looks fatter than normal!  The real check: bounce on the seat.  Clunk!  I have a flat!  Quick, pull over, jump off the bike, praying all along, "Lord, please help me change it quick, please help me change it quick."

What Now?  In the back of my mind appear negative thoughts, "all hope is gone", "a qualifying attempt ruined by a rare flat tire".  But remarkably I hear the truth more clearly,

"your amount of training doesn't warrant qualifying anyway.  The only reason you are trying your hardest is because the Lord has called you to, despite all circumstances, despite all odds.  Flat tires, or anything else that happens, doesn't change that mission.  Qualifying, or finishing 10 places behind, is not the point; persevering through adversity and discomfort to glorify God is the point."

Pressure I rip off the tire, check for debris, and pre-inflate a new tube with my mouth.  I keep asking Jesus to help me be fast. I feed the tube in and put on the tire.  A foot behind me riders whiz by. Many that I worked so hard to pass.  Some ask if I need help. Some encourage me.  I grab a CO2 cartridge of pressurized air and say a quick prayer.  The tire will either inflate instantly or pop instantly if installed wrong.  Whhoost!  It's good!  Grab my stuff, jump on, and sprint back into the race.

Help From Above 23mph.  I pass 3 people. A spectator shouts 37th place!  I've lost 20 places during the repair.  I don't care.  I'm racing my best for God.  And I get a weird feeling that He purposely had this happen in order to do something amazing, showing nothing is too impossible for God. John Dougery, one of the best cyclists I know, passes me.  Usually this is where he disappears ahead of me.  But we go back and forth.  I pass on the rises, he passes on the flats.  He always does well in this race so If I'm near him I must still be in good position.  He says he got a flat. I feel bad that he got one, too.  Another guy in my age group is also passing me.  Back & forth. 37th, 35th, 37th.  With only 17mi to go.

"...They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever.... I beat my body and make it my slave..." 1 Cor. 9:25

I recite this verse.  I'm sore but I must ignore it and push harder.  I suddenly feel more comfortable and fall into a faster rhythm, even into the wind.  I pull away from the guys.  I'm surprised I dropped them  (later I found out that John had a flat WHILE he was riding next to me.  He had to stop and pump it up again).  I pass Michelle (thanking her for encouraging me when she went by), Paula, and Scott Witthoff again. I'm focused on getting to Alii Dr. in town where the headwind will stop and racers may slow up anticipating the end.

Making my Move on Alii Dr  It's 5 miles long.  I pour it on.  Sacrificing rest before the run.  Going faster.  Getting hotter. Pouring water on my head.  I start passing a lot more. There's Marco!  One of the top triathletes in my age group. This is a good sign.  But he runs like a gazelle and I only get 30 seconds on him by the finish.

T2 Joyfully coasting into the bike-to-run transition, I stretch my calves and legs and feel the tightness from 2-1/2 hours of hammering.  Somehow I'm in 15th place now!  There are plenty of volunteers to catch my bike and hand me my shoe bag so I don't lose time doing it myself.  I concentrate on donning socks and shoes, grabbing hat and GU's, and drinking water.  I'm thrilled to be so far up, but, as impossible as it seems, I must get out there and try to pass 5 or 10 more.

An Exciting Start to the Run  Marco got out ahead of me!  Now in 16th.  Wow, my legs are TIGHT!  But I'm smiling.  God has given me a feeling of confidence; that I will be able to take the heat, that I will run smooth and fast. Mile 1: Up a short, steep hill.  It's hot!  Marco's 200yds ahead.  I see 5 others.  I pass one in another age group and he actually helps me out, telling me the next guy is 30yrs old and encouraging me on.  I'm fatigued and stiff and this is very welcomed help.  Also good because I didn't know the next guy was in my age, his number had washed off.  I pass him.  The next guy just pulled off the course, grabbing his calf muscle in agony. I pass him. The next guy looks sick and is now being attended by an official.  I pass him.  And the next guy, who is looking stiffer than I.  10th place now!

The Pit Mile 2:  I push hard to keep Marco in sight.  The leader, Peter Hursty, is looking grim.  We climb & then descend into "The Pit" - the lowest part of the course and very hot.  There's Chad Hawker, in 2nd!  He looks strong, "Go Chad, God is your strength!"  I grab water, sponges, and ice at the turn and  cover my body with coolness.  Shoes are soggy.  Climbing well.  I see those behind me starting to feel the heat.  There's John, he's so encouraging, and every bit helps.

Sub-7 Pace Mile 3-5:  I'm feeling better and running faster.  Muddy really boosts me when he yells "Awesome comeback, Troy, go run with Marco" and then turns to the spectators and says, "He even had a flat!!"  If I can't catch Marco, at least staying with him will move me up because he's eating up the field.  I'm in 8th.  Alii' Dr. is getting hot.  I'm getting tired.

The Low Point Mile 6-8: I feel like I'm bonking.  I eat more Gu but pace is slowing.  Chad's in 1st place! I dig deep on a small hill and catch someone else.  I finally ask for the secret weapon, "Coke, please!"  A few sips.. ahh! that's good.

The Home Stretch  Mile 9-12: I make the turn at the Royal Kona and now it's 5mi straight back with 4 little climbs.  I count each one.  I'm dripping with water, ice, and sweat.  I start steadily going faster, though.  I see John, Reid Swanson, Tom Werner, and my beautiful wife, Robin, running so well!  I see Leslie Bull, Julie Davis, and Carrie Chavez.  Everyone is telling me I'm smooth and look great.  It really helps.  I'm gulping Coke, Gatorade, water and GUs.  I don't remember passing people now.

He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he restores my soul..." Ps. 23:2-3

Reciting that verse sounds so good!  Everything hurts, I want to stop, but He's giving me strength and making this a Cinderella story.  I also remember:

"... since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, .....let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us." Heb 12:1

I know the witnesses around me are those in the race and cheering.  Treating them well with a good attitude is important.  I think I'm getting delirious, though, as I'm saying "Thank you" to spectators that haven't said anything and I'm replying to friends that have already passed me 5 secs ago.  Now I see a guy a minute ahead.  He's just out of reach.

The Finish  I'm tempted to look behind me. But in '96 here I learned the importance to run your own race, the best you can.  So instead I just run faster.  I hear the voices of friends running the other way cheering for me but everything is a blur now.  I see the ocean waves... the orange cones... it's so close... now the turn.. the finish line!  I hear the announcer "In 6th place overall, he was 6th in 1998, too, it's Troy Soares from San Jose!"  I pray. My heart is rejoicing.  I see Marco and then the guys behind me. We all congratulate each other.  Ally Hawker greats me.  Chad is so excited for me, telling me I probably have a spot.  All I can say is I'm so happy how it went that I don't care if I qualified.

I'm So Fortunate  I walk back out for a ways and am overwhelmed by appreciation for God being so faithful and loving to me that He would join me personally for the entire race, guiding me all the way.  Tears fill my eyes.  It doesn't matter if I qualify or if I have to keep trying.  My happiness is so dependant on knowing that God is close to me.  At times through the last 6 months, it seemed like God wasn't in control and that His encouragement for me to qualify was an impossible feat.  But I see His plan better now.  To increase my faith in Him and prove to others that it wasn't my own doing, He allowed my great training plan to fail terribly and even threw in the flat tire to prove nothing is too difficult for Him.  I regret having any doubts the preceding months.  He has answered my prayers to be able to run again.  He has gone above and beyond for me.  He has shown His incredible love to me.

Robin's Incredible Race  All along, while cheering for me every time I was in sight, Robin was setting a personal best herself.  She had a great swim, despite being the largest triathlon mass start she's been in, and came out 29th woman overall!  She transitioned quickly as usual and started the bike in 28th.  Candi Cochrane passed her early on, and soon after, Lisa Nelson did, too.  But Robin passed 3 others and was biking faster than ever.  Even against the winds, she averaged 20mph for the 56 miles; her fastest bike split yet!  In the bike-to-run transition, however, they couldn't find her shoe bag.  She had to spend some valuable time looking for it.  She lost a couple places and came out in 27th overall, 6th in her age group.  But the run is always her strongest leg.  She bursted into the hot sun, towards "The Pit" which she has never experienced.  For a first-time Hawaii runner, the heat will make your mind immediately think, "Walk!".  It's like climbing into a van that's been parked, windows up,  in the sun all afternoon, and then doing calisthenics.  It's very uncomfortable.  But Robin was battling it out with her competition.  She re-passed Candi Cochrane, moving into 5th.  But Melanie Aiona caught up and gave her fierce competition.  They both caught up to Amie Glaser.  Robin and Melanie finally got ahead of Amie and both battled for 4th place!  At the half way point they passed Michelle Carter who had been over 7 minutes ahead after the bike.  But at 7mi, Robin started feeling the bonk also.  She was eating and drinking smart the entire race.  But the dramatic climate change and fast pace was taking it's toll.  She had to switch from racing to suffering-management.  Melanie got ahead but Robin stayed strong and finished in an amazing 4th place.  It was her 3rd Half-Ironman ever!  She was also the 1st in her age group from the Mainland as Jenna, Lisa, and Mealanie were all from the Hawaii Islands, and, no doubt, more accustomed to running in stifling heat.

Hawaii Ironman Slots  Robin was shocked to be in a position that might qualify for the Hawaii Ironman.  She wasn't feeling particularly excited about running in this heat again for twice the distance, and she also already had the Canada Ironman lined up for August.  She prayed about it and felt led to turn it down if she was offered.  In Robin's age group, there are 2 Hawaii Ironman slots.  1 for Hawaii Big Island residents and 1 international slot for the rest of the world.  If the 3 Hawaiians that beat her are from the Big Island, she would be offered the international slot!  But only 2 of them were Big Island, the other was from Oahu and took the slot.  Robin was actually relieved.

Dream Coming True  I heard there were only 2 slots in my age group.  But God came through again, as there were actually 3 slots.  They gave me a ticket to the Hawaii Ironman, and in a sudden moment, all those days of ankle pain, sickness, sleeping problems, and struggles, just seemed insignificant.  I thank Jesus for giving me the opportunity to share this story of perseverance and reward.  That is my main purpose for going to the Ironman.  I hope that everyone will be encouraged to never give up.  And when faced with set-backs or difficult struggles, that they will think of Jesus and how he says,

"If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer." Matt 21:22

Large setbacks are just big opportunities for Jesus.

God Bless.

Troy Soares and Robin Soares.... "Team Soares... Press On"