After four months of hard work, dedication and lengthy workouts to whip himself into the best shape of his life, Mayor Billy Kenoi is just days away from his first attempt at the Ironman World Championship in Kailua-Kona.
After four months of hard work, dedication and lengthy workouts to whip himself into the best shape of his life, Mayor Billy Kenoi is just days away from his first attempt at the Ironman World Championship in Kailua-Kona.
Although Kenoi has competed in other triathlons including Ironman 70.3 Hawaii, Lavaman Keauhou and Waikoloa, and the inaugural Hilo Triathlon, Kenoi said this is by far the biggest challenge in his triathlon journey.
“I’m terrified,” Kenoi said with a laugh. “I know I didn’t put in the time that I needed to, but I feel good. Every step has been great and a fun experience. You meet the nicest people whether they are athletes, volunteers or just people out there to support you. I truly feel humbled.”
After successfully completing May’s half Ironman distance event locally known as Honu, Kenoi said he was blown away when World Triathlon Corporation’s Andrew Messick announced Kenoi’s invitation to compete in “the Super Bowl of triathlon” during the post-race awards ceremony.
“I was excited, honored and scared,” Kenoi said of accepting the slot. “I thought back to when I saw my first Ironman race. It was 2009 and I had the special honor of pulling the cannon to start the race. I was stunned. Seeing thousands of people who had come out, the feeling in the air — gave me chicken skin.”
Kenoi said he later went back to watch the last finishers cross the finish line.
“It was so powerful and compelling that I don’t know how else to explain it,” he said. “I sat there and saw an 80-year-old man cross, then a person with a prosthetic leg. It was the greatest celebration of the human spirit that I got to experience.”
Drawing inspiration from watching more than 1,800 athletes achieve their dreams on that day, Kenoi said he began doing triathlons nearly four years ago to get into shape. Kenoi also hoped that leading by example would impact health care at the local level — by encouraging the Big Island community to incorporate health and wellness into their lifestyles.
“I wanted to support our community, get healthy, be a role model and promote health and wellness,” the 45-year-old said. “I thought that if I start doing triathlons we could get our kids, our families, our Kupuna healthy. If we can all be the best on a personal level, then we will certainly have a more positive and healthier community.”
In preparation for Saturday’s big show, Kenoi said he’s been training under the guidance of Oliver Kiel, owner of Cycle Station and Triathlon School Hawaii. As of last Friday, Kenoi had completed his second 2.4-mile swim feeling good and more confident with the distance. He’s done a few 80-mile bike rides squeezed between his hectic work schedule, and laces up his running shoes every morning, rain or shine.
“After chatting with Oliver at Cycle Station for 10 minutes, I knew he was the coach for me,” Kenoi said. “He’s showed me how to use a heart rate monitor, a Garmin, and made a training plan for me to stay within my heart rate zone. I learned cadence and how hills can affect me. He’s allowed me to grow in training and I shaka him for all that he’s done.”
Kenoi said there’s much to be thankful for knowing he has been given a shot at a dream others spend a lifetime chasing. But he is especially thankful for his family and close friends who have supported him from the beginning.
“My wife, Takako, supports me in everything that I do and has come to every event that I’ve competed in,” he said. “My three children all say they are proud of me. I have to thank Jesse Ebersole, captain of EMS for bothering me to be healthy for over two decades. And Mike Sohriakoff who is a fire rescue specialist for keeping me motivated.
“I’m very thankful to have the opportunity to be able to participate in triathlons. It’s a great way to be healthy and it’s very humbling to do it as mayor. I’m going to give everything I have to make my family and community proud.”
Now 30 pounds leaner and in the best shape of his life, Kenoi is looking forward to finishing and has visualized what it would mean to run across the finish line well before the 17-hour cutoff time.
“That’s all I think about,” Kenoi said. “It’s a realization of a dream. I will have been able to walk in the steps of thousands who have done it before me. I will be humbled and will probably break down to cry. Crossing the finish line will be for everyone on the Big Island and show everyone you can accomplish anything that you set your mind to.”