Why I am racing in Kona....by Steve Larsen
When I was a kid growing up in Davis, California Dave Scott was my idol and I always dreamed of competing in the Hawaii Ironman. I could not have imagined the circuitous route I would follow to finally arrive at the start in October of 2001. Like many of the athletes that competed that day, my race did not go as it had in my dreams. After giving all that I had to fulfill my personal expectations of how “my race” should end, I found myself in a nearly apocalyptic state for the 24 hours post race. Losing blood and bodily fluids, agonizing in the fetal position on my hotel bed, while my kids were playing poolside and enjoying Hawaii, was not what I had planned for our first trip to Kona. The next year I could not start due to injury, and in 2003 I made the decision that I would give everything to be ready to race at my best and see where that left me amongst the tremendous competition at our sport’s World Championship. I did not win. I did not even finish.
Shortly after that 2003 Ironman I made the decision to retire from professional sports. Fortunately I made a living in sports that I loved and was passionate about for over fifteen years. It was more important to me to retire when I still had a passion for those sports. I plan to enjoy them for a lifetime. I am still passionate about them.
When I first had the opportunity to compete in triathlon, it was the people and their generous spirit that drew me in. Everyone was so welcoming and the lifestyle so obviously healthy. I fed off of that positive energy. To me it is what the sport is all about.
This year I turned thirty-five, Dave Scott is still my idol, and I still have a dream to compete in Kona. This year however, my dream ends differently, with me arriving at the finish on Alii Drive with a smile on my face and the joy of running down the finish chute with my three children. I am not worried about my finish time, although I will certainly give all I can on the day, and will embrace the spirit of the event that I was unable to appreciate the first times around. I am not embarrassed by this dream or how I earned the opportunity to make it real.
The realities of my life are different from 2003 and I am grateful for that. I have worked hard in the last eighteen months to establish myself in a new career which I love. It has been wonderful to learn to snowboard with my kids, coach soccer, and time at swim meets, start a junior cycling team, visit the pub, mow the lawn, and generally be a normal guy. The fact that I have managed to stay reasonably fit (finally not over trained) has been a bonus. I believe it speaks volumes about the lifestyle I hope to maintain for a lifetime, and it is what keeps me sane. But there is a healthy balance now and of late I have been rewarded with some good results. My recent performance in the Vineman Half Ironman was as much a surprise to me as anyone. I had previously made the commitment to speak pre race with Greg Welch, and decided to compete in one of the events that originally got me hooked on the sport. As race day grew closer my hope was that I might go 4:15 and be fortunate enough to qualify to compete again in Kona. On the day I had good legs and thankfully knew what to do with them. It was an honor to win the Vineman again, and qualify for our sports World Championship. My hope is that I might use my participation in Kona to bring awareness and raise money for a worthy cause, the Challenged Athletes Foundation. These athletes are legendary and embody all that is good about our sport. I hope in some small way my contribution may create an opportunity for some of them to grow as athletes and people.
For those of you that question my motives, I am sorry there are none. In the end, I am a Triathlete just like you.
Ride Fast & Have Fun,
Steve Larsen
Additional notes for those that are interested:
I am happily married (12 years) and have three wonderfully healthy children.
I am a full time commercial real estate broker.
Most weeks I am fortunate to train more than six hours. I make them all count and have many years of hard work to call on.
I was paid by Scott USA to consult on the design and marketing of their new triathlon bike the Plasma. They do not pay me to race. They do not pay me bonuses. They do not pay my entries. I believe I have helped them design a better bike. There was never an expectation that I would race again. I do it because I love it. Part of Scott’s commitment to me was in the form of ten road bikes for my recently created Forza Velo Junior Cycling Team. One of our athletes won two national titles on a bike provided by Scott. I don’t make a penny from the team, but have spent many hours working to ensure its success.
I am fortunate that many of my friends in the industry continue to send me product to use or try. It does not make me a pro, but confirms the value of building personal relationships over a very long career. I rarely call and ask for it, but am always grateful when it comes. Thanks.
I will challenge any sponsor that provides me product for Kona to make a monetary contribution to CAF. I hope to raise money through pledges for any pro that I am able to catch on October 15th, 2005. I hope the legs are good!
Steve Larsen - dad, triathlete, mtbiker, roadie & online retailer
http://www.worldtri.com
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