After completing his 20th Ironman this Fall in Hawaii, Don returned to Kona a month later for the UltraMan World Championships (Nov 29, 30 and Dec 1), a grueling invitation-only three-day ultra distance stage race.

Below is Mel's daily journal as part of Don's support team: 

• Day One November 29: A 6.2 mile ocean swim, followed by a 90 mile bike ride through the lava fields of the Hawaii Ironman Course.
  
• Day Two, November 30: A 171 mile bike ride through the Ironman course and through the climbs at the Northern end of the Big Island.
  
• Day Three, December 1: A 52.4 mile double marathon...an out-and-back on the Queen K Highway through the lava fields. The total distance covered over three days is 520 kilometers.
  
  

  A 52 MILE RUN?

  Well the day started as usual, at the pier, except no swim gear, and no bike gear….only run gear. About 5 minutes before the start, the race director instructed the athletes to get in a circle and hold hands and the support teams made a circle around them and hold hands too.  A local Hawaiian blew the conch shell and we all prayed to the Goddess Pele, some more than others!  It ended with an applause for the athletes and 30 seconds to the start.  6:00 am sharp before sunrise, the race started or should I say began its ending. 

  The support teams left 5 minutes after that and for the first three miles there was a no feed zone.  Ssshh, don’t tell Don but I wasn’t sure I had enough water and ice, so we stopped at the mid-point of Palani and Matt picked up more ice and water (which by the way we didn’t need in the end but…better safe then sorry!).

  Sergio Cordiero, a Brazilian, lead the race from the get go.  Together, Don and Canadian star, Tony O’Keefe (only 22 minutes behind Don in the overall standings after Day 2)  followed behind (top three).   As planned, we stopped every mile to give Don water, GU2O and Gu (see….Don really does follow his plan…he’s just not b/s’ing you guys…(inside joke for Don’s coached athletes!).  
  
  After the first five miles, we got the system down.  Don and Tony were both in good spirits and were looking great!   
  
  We can see the turn around ahead, 24.4 miles at the entrance to the Waikola Village…..can hardly believe we are this far out on the Queen K.  At about 30 miles (50 KM), Tony surged up a hill to leave Don.  Not sure what Don said to him but Tony had enough (just kidding!)  Don’s spirits were still high and we continued to stick to our plan. Many athletes recruited friends to run with them which was allowed. So, at about 34 miles, we pulled out all the stops….I began to run with Don.  He was definitely hurting as can be expected. The previous day’s bike ride was having its effects. 
  
  OK….we are nearing the Natural Energy Lab (NELH), thank God!  Only about 10 miles to go. The pro triathlete and overall leader passed us in the energy lab with words of encouragement. Our experience in the energy lab wasn’t quite like the one Natasha Badmann has (soaring like an eagle) but we got through it none the less.

  		— Run all the way to Waikoloa Village and back?? Don brings it home, on his way to third place. Photo courtesy of ultramanlive.com

   
  
  We are back on the Queen K, thank God (did I say that already?)! With about four miles to go we are passed by Uli Winkelman from Germany a veteran ultraman….he gives us encouragement.  We are now in fifth place in this stage and we are able to hold off the others to end that way too.  We are going to make it!  With one mile to go, Don tells Matt to drive to the end and run over the finish line with us…..it was a team effort (all three days).  Matt is excited and gladly complies.  We round the bend and head into the old airport with a quarter mile to go….thank God!  Matt meets us and we join hands as we cross the finish line….7:52 minutes and fifth place for the day.  
  
  Although Don did not hold second place overall, we are still very excited and pleased with his 3^rd place overall finish and first American!  His total time for the three days was 24 hrs 55 minutes……amazing!  What an accomplishment and inspiration!!
  
  No, it didn’t inspire me to sign up for next year, but…..at least I know this race won’t close out anytime soon!
  
  Well, got to hit the shower and then treat Matt to a well deserved dinner out!  Thanks Matt….we couldn’t have done it without you!!!
  
  Thanks to everyone for all the encouragement and we will see you all at Friday’s Masters Swim class!  Don’t miss it….we’ll be bringing back some jellyfish and sea lice and other good Hawaii sea creatures for practice.
  
  MAHALO!
  Mel

COURSE DESCRIPTION: You can find out more about each stage by clicking HERE.

RESULTS: You can find stage-by-stage, and overall, results by clicking HERE.