Training for Kona--In Iraq?!?!

Many of you know that my endurance sports journey began in the desert of Iraq when I was there from Aug '06-Nov '07. It started with running the Baghdad Army 10-Miler in Oct '06. Training for that was such an awesome way to deal with stress that I just kept running. Next thing I knew I was training for a marathon, running a 1/2 Marathon in Baghdad, and knocking 10 minutes off my first 10-miler time when the 2007 race came along. It was also in Baghdad that one of my dearest friends convinced to me give triathlons a shot when I got back (little did she realize the monster she would create!). The longest run I ever did was 18 miles, and the longest stationary bike ride I ever did was 2.5 hours. Between work, training, and sleeping I didn't too much else. Having done one Half-Ironman now, training for another, and planning to to train (stateside) for an Ironman next fall, I cannot even IMAGINE training for an Ironman while in Iraq, much less training for Ironman World Championships in Kona. But Marine Major Bill Conner is doing just that at Camp Fallujah as he won his slot in this year's lottery picks. I've been to Camp Fallujah, and the area to train there PALES in comparsion to the opportunities I had at my camp in Baghdad. Kudos and best wishes to you Major Conner!! I'll be rooting for you come the big race on 11 Oct! Click here to read the full story about Major Conner!