Stacy Taylor, 2007 Lottery Winner Kona Hawaii Ford Ironman Triathlon World Championship

I am one of 200 people world wide who won a lottery slot to the 2007 Ford Ironman Triathlon World Championship in Kona Hawaii this October 13. This is THE Super Bowl of triathlons where 1600 the very best triathletes in the world compete for the championship title every year. I however, am not one of them. The Ironman distance triathlon includes a 2.4 mile swim, followed by a 112 mile bike and then finishes with a marathon of 26.2 miles. Yes, I am crazy, but in a good way!

A quote from Ironman Founder, John Collins

John Collins didn't realize it, but he and his wife Judy were onto an idea back in 1978 that is simply brilliant. It is also the most inspirational and amazing part of what Ironman is all about. He is also the reason that people like me are able to compete at Kona.
His message has translated to all distances of the sport of triathlon over 30 years, not just the Ironman. Click on the link below to see the youtube video of John and Judy Collins from the 2003 Hawaii Ironman Highlight show on NBC.

"The name of the game is to finish."
"Ironman has always been about finishing what you've started. It's about being able to do what you've set out to do. Maybe not as fast as the person in front of you, but certainly faster than the person who never started."
John Collins, Ironman founder - finish time: 17 hours and some change.
Didn't I say "brilliant?"