Kona, the mythical place

I just watched a show abt the 2008 Ford Ironman Championship. boy, was it inspiring... watching it is so different from reading abt it on website coverage. witnessing the endurance, determination, pain, fear, anxiety, hardship, and then the relief and exuberance at the finish, is really amazing... and to listen to the stories of how the individuals arrived at the starting point. like how a person survived cancer and decided to try out for Kona. how a disabled motorcross rider wanted a new challenge. like how David Goggins, the navy seal, wanted another event to raise funds for families who lost breadwinners in the war. like how the oldest starter, at 72, also became the oldest finisher many hours later. and so many others who sacrificed so much to achieve that elusive dream.