1 Day Until Kona

On the eve of the race, we check in one last time before Macca looks to defend his title in the Ford Ironman World Championship. Coming in as a defending champion has a much different feel than chasing the elusive crown. Macca let's us know just how different it is:

Last year i was really facing some serious demons. I had won every major triathlon event in the world multiple times and had not yet won this event in Kona. I was here for my 5th year and my best result was a close 2nd place finish. The event was really starting to baffle me and the conditions played havoc on my body. The past 3 years I have spent so much time in the labaratories working out my own physiology and how my body responds in these brutal conditions in order to get my hydration and nutrition schedules with in this event sound. I was getting close but not winning the race. Last year it was really a crunch event for me. I had to deliver. I didn’t want to be known as the greatest multisport athlete in history to never win the big one in Kona. I was really looking at this in the mirror every day. I really felt that pressure and my competitiors and the media really played this up. I won the race and took this monkey off my back. It was a great relief.

This year I am much more reserved and can really enjoy the process. I know I have the title and I have worked this event out. I don’t have this personal pressure as deeply anymore. I know I will race this event at the pointy end for the next 5 years so now it is about maximizing my performances here and trying to win as many titles now as possible. It is about legacy and my own personal ambitions on the lava fields. I am much more at peace with my self. I don’t feel the need to have to force it. I know it will happen as I have done it before. I can win this race, I have won this race and I will win it again. This is the mindset this year, as opposed to previous years when it was like "what if I just cant win this race", or " maybe my bodies physiology is not suited to these hot humid conditions." The negativity is gone now.
 

Be sure to check back for an update on Macca's title defense and some post-race thoughts from Macca over the coming days.