🏝️ reflections on kona 2025
Coach Julie was on the ground for Kona 2025 (supporting our fabulous athletes Judy McNary – 2nd in her AG!! – and Kathi Cover) and got to witness first-hand everything that surrounded the race, and the final women’s-only world championship. She has some great takeaways and thoughts about the future of the world championship, given that the men and women will be back together in Kona for 2026. Read her article here.
what to read / watch / listen to:
Coach Julie:
Read: Are you ready to be reminded why you wake up early for that long run or bike ride — even on the days when the legs are heavy, the alarm clocks are cruel, and the finish line is still miles away?
In The Unforgiving Hours, Shannon Hogan brings together gripping stories of athletes who kept going when the path was dark, cold, lonely, or simply unforgiving. You’ll find 70-year-old ultra-runners, single-gear mountain bikers in the Alaskan bush, teen open-water swimmers braving the English Channel, and everyday athletes doing extraordinary things.
More than just “wow, that’s an ultra,” this book helps you see how grit, resilience, adaptability and community turn ordinary folks into finishers. Whether you’re training for a 5 K or an ultra, dealing with burnout or setbacks, this is a read that reminds you: the slow steps, the weird hours, the problem-solving in the rain and cold — all mean something.
Bottom line: Pick up this book, and you’ll walk away with renewed energy for your next session, a stronger belief in what’s possible — and maybe some ideas to apply to your own “unforgiving hours.”
Coach Alison:
Listen to:Â Like many of you, I watched every moment of the Kona broadcast. I was riveted – absolutely glued to the screen for over nine hours. And part of what made the race so fun to watch was that I was more prepped and knowledgeable going into the race than I’d ever been.
Obviously I was watching for the big four (Lucy, Taylor, Kat, Laura), but I also had some other possible names on my radar (Solveg, Lisa) along with some dark horses to keen an eye on (Holly, Marta). I had a pretty good idea of the dynamics we’d see in the swim and bike (and yes the race played out pretty much as expected through T2) and I knew what to watch out for going into the run (time gaps between Taylor, Lucy, and Kat & Laura).
The reason I was so prepared is because – thanks to Julie’s excellent recommendation – I’d listened to all of the daily Kona pods from Pro Tri News and The Triathlon Hour. They’re going to do those daily pods again for 70.3 World Championships in just a few weeks, and I highly recommend tuning in – for the previews and just in general, even outside of world championship season.
Pro Tri News has very knowledgeable hosts with some good insider perspectives, and The Triathlon Hour has very knowledgeable hosts with a healthy dose of banter, friendly mocking, and side wagers. Both provide great insight, but if you’re gonna pick one I’d go with TTH for the entertainment value.