Taking risks and pushing yourself is the only way to get to the top. I took my share of risks and pushed myself through some difficult times. I was not the first to cross the finish line but had my best finish in Kona by finishing 9th, as well as being the first American across the line.

For weeks I was preparing for this race. spending time in Hawaii to acclimate to the weather and get used to the winds that usually blow very hard on race day. This year was definitely unusual in that for 3 weeks there was almost no wind on the islands and more humid than normal. I felt I was more prepared than ever before. I had a great lead up in training for this race. No injuries and feeling good. I had great mental preparation that I felt would separate me from the rest of the field. I came into this race prepared and focused to push myself. I set my goals high and believed that I could accomplish them. You can prepare all you want but you still have to deal with what the day brings. For me one thing came that I was not expecting. 3 days before the race I got a cold, congested and sore throat. It was manageable and not sure if it had any affect on my performance. I still gave it my all and didn't think about it. Now after the race I am really sick and am at home trying to recover.

The race started out well. I was very comfortable and relaxed before and during the swim. I finished the swim in the front along with a group of maybe 20 or so. I had plans for the bike portion depending on how it panned out. Many scenarios and how I would approach each one. The one I didn't think of was having Norman Stadler have a great swim and be with the lead group already early on the ride. Norman came through about mile 5 or 6 of the bike, and I hesitated if I should make my move now and go with him or wait as I had planned. Norman is a great cyclist and would have been a great person to key off of for the bike portion. I figured he would pull away as he did but thought he would fade for going so hard early on.

After mile 15 or so I decided I needed to try and work my way across and get away from the group of 7 riders that I was with. Norman was up the road maybe 3 minutes and thought I could slowly bring him back. I took the risk and went for it. I pulled away from the group of riders, but they kept me within a minute. They elevated their effort to stay close. I was holding Norman's lead at 3 minutes for the hour I was riding alone but wasn't putting any time into him, and the group was still just behind me. So I decided to wait up and ride with the small group. It is always easier to ride with a group than by yourself, especially with how the rules are. So I conserved some energy and rode with them for maybe 30-45 minutes, and as we hit the base of the climb to Hawi (the turn around point on the bike), I decided to make a break again and try to separate myself. Norman's lead was around 5 minutes now, and I knew I had to push it hard up the climb. Trying to ride just a little harder, I would have just pulled the group along at a faster pace. My goal was to separate myself and try to improve my odds not just improve everyone's odds. I took the risk and went hard up the climb. I was able to break away from the group and was able to slowly put some time back into Norman. It wasn't much, but I was slowly bringing him back. After riding solo for another hour I started to slow a little and Norman's lead was 6 minutes. The last hour stretch home was rough. My legs were getting tired, and I was unable to hold the same effort of riding. Norman slowly increased his lead to 7 minutes by the time we started the run. Norman was out there by himself all day and had a great ride. He was definitely the strongest out there that day. The last part of the ride and the first part of the run I had some bad GI problems. My gut was in pain, and it was cramping. I had to stop a couple times early on and hoped that the GI problems would pass. Because of my stopping the small group of riders that were 3 minutes behind me caught me early. I ran with them for a little while, but I had to stop again in the port-a-potty. The first half of the run was very difficult for me. I had to deal with a lot of mental and physical pain. I was able to regroup by mile 14, but it was to late. That small group was now scattered up the road 4-8 minutes ahead of me. I started to run better and felt like my GI issues passed. I ran well the second half and started to bring them back, but it was to little to late. I finished 9th and first American, which I am honored to have done. I didn't reach the goal I set out to accomplish, but I am pleased with my journey and the things I learned for next time. Norman Stadler had a incredible race. He took all the risks and was successful. I applaud his race and his performance.

Dream big and strive to separate yourself, as I will continue to do myself.

Thanks for all your support and encouragement. It all helps me in my journey.

Sincerely,
Chris Lieto