Where the marathon starts is after 30 kilometers. That’s where you feel pain everywhere in your body. The muscles are really aching, and only the most prepared and well-organized athlete is going to do well after that. -Eliud Kipchoge I last attempted to run the Boston Marathon back in 2018. I stayed with my friend, […]

If you donʻt have aloha, you’re not alive. – “The Duke” Kahanamoku Aloha is a deeply held spiritual belief best understood through Native Hawaiian culture. Beyond a greeting, aloha can describe a deep love and respect for people and places, or act as a reminder of how to behave appropriately in the world, or “with […]

Success doesn’t mean to win everything, but to make the best out of every situation. – Daniela Ryf 2022 has been quite the rollercoaster. 2021 World Champs in May, racing every single weekend in August, and competing in several 70.3 deferrals from COVID times are making this season extra demanding, exciting, and humbling. 2021 World […]

I’m baking like a toasted cheeser! It’s so hot here! Ham Porter, Sandlot Racing is back, baby! 2020 was a rollercoaster year for staying encouraged to train. All the virtual racing, Zwifting, mock racing scenarios, and training mostly at home was beginning to get mundane. While I stayed fit and achieved some fun personal feats, […]

When the pain comes, you know what I do? I smile. – Chris McCormack I love sport comeback stories. Jonny Brownlee’s recent victory came at the perfect time. It was inspiring to watch before my Ironman because it was his first World Triathlon Series victory in two years. Jonny had many doubters.  “People have very short […]

He who is not courageous to take risks accomplish nothing in life. – Muhammed Ali Nothing in life gives me more butterflies than the days leading up to a big endurance event– especially the first triathlon of the year.   It seemed like it took this long for the first triathlon of the year to arrive: […]

“I know you got mountains to climb, but always stay humble and kind.” – Tim McGraw When you are pursuing a big goal, it is easy to get lost in the mountain that is ahead of you.  One thing I constantly remind myself is not to get distracted by the small, mundane problems that can […]

We have four simple rules at the Kawaoka compound: Don’t talk, act. Don’t say, show. Don’t promise, prove. Don’t eat Mcdonald’s, eat lettuce.   This past weekend, I had two athletes racing a local 10-mile road cycling time trial (Taco Time Ice Breaker TT) — my wife (Becca) and Michelle M. This “out season” has […]

Juggling a busy family and work life and training for an Ironman can be very daunting.  However, it can be done with success with the proper training and periodization throughout the year. Kim has managed to train very effectively, while still being an amazing mother and wife (her husband is also a hardcore Ironman triathlete!). […]

Training is in full swing for Becca.  She is preparing for the Boston Marathon in April and doing her inaugural Ironman in Whistler. Becca reminds me a lot of my work ethic and willingness to be the best she can be. The progress she has made in just over a year in triathlon is incredible.  […]