Kim Loeffler Racing

Ironman World Champs

Another World Championship is in the books.  It was a tough day for me.  I tried to put all the negativity out of my mind and only focus on positive thoughts throughout the week.  I was happy to be in Kona racing one of my favorite Ironmans, happy that my family was here to share the experience and excited to be racing against the best triathletes in the world.  But the truth is that I was breaking down and my fitness was declining.  I trained very hard for Ironman Lake Placid only to wake up with a nasy stomach bug which knocked me out of the race.  I feel like I peaked for LP and needed a longer recovery from the race and the training cycle.  I wanted to go to Kona, so I held onto my fitness long enough to have a solid race in IMLOU and get my Kona slot.  After IMLOU, I struggled with my training.  First it was a calf strain, then it was a quad bruise when my chain broke while climbing, then it was the final blow when Istrained my hip flexor 2 weeks before the race.   It was a tough day and it always is.  Considering my injury and the predicted weather conditions, my quote of the day was this:

“Let me pray not to be sheltered from dangers, but the be fearless in facing them.  Let me not beg for the stilling of my pain, but for the heart to conquer it.”

My goals were not accomplished, but I soldiered on crossed the  finish line and in the end, that’s what Ironman is all about.  

Thanks to everyone for all the support. Now, it’s vacation time!  I’m looking forward to spending a few weeks getting healthy(my husband Brian has his work cut out!) a college reunion in Beantown and some quality holiday time with my family!