I felt that Brian Keast (overdistance) took undue flack around here for bringing up the topic of WTC reducing slot count at the last minute to 50 slots. A lot of guys jumped in here and said, 'just race faster'.

Well, what many posters do not know is that Brian is a former Kona age group champion. But it gets better (well, not really). Like many of us, he was not super human either and had to have a triple bypass surgery a few years ago. Just because we are fast does not mean our hearts cannot get clogged up. Brian has had a very inspirational path back from the triple bypass, resumed sport and already kona qualified multiple times.

Yesterday he finished 1st in M55-59. Turns out he did not need the extra slots from a 60 slot race, but others will benefit. If I have my numbers right, Brian finished his 30th IM on Sunday. He also finished the full distance before they rain shortened the swim, so he has that moral high ground. I believe he is now heading to Kona number 17 (he qualified a bunch of times for kona in his youth at half IM events).

Also big congrats to my long time friend and training partner Barry "Konaexpress" Dmitruk. He got that nickname, not because he was the fastest guy in Kona, but because in his 40's he pretty well qualified at every race he showed up at. In his 50's that path has been tougher due to less slots and also some life/physical challenges that he keeps fighting to overcome. I hope 4th in M50-54 is enough to get the Konaexpress back to the show at the top of his age group at 54. I believe Barry just completed ironman number 34.

Well done both of you and thanks for setting the high bar for those of us 5-6 years behind you! Every time I feel I am too old to be doing this crap, i just need to look all around at the amazing gentlemen still pushing the pointy end of speed. I want to be like you when I "grow up".