Looks like Mark might be giving Lloydy a run for his money on the mineral waters! More seriously, well done Heather! That is a seriously cool accomplishment, and these vlogs might be my favourite bits of content on here
Thank you Heather for all the inspiration you gave here and in the other videos. I watched this one many times since august this year (2023). Soon or already you landing again in Kona for work this time. My flight is tomorrow. Hope I see you there. You do so great work. Best regards Marie-Louise 🇸🇪
I actually cried a few tears when you started to cry at the end because l could feel the emotion you must have felt after such a grueling SBR! Fanastic blog and thank you so much for sharing your experience with everyone. Awesome job!
Pascal Khoury Why would you say that? Such a completely immature and pointless comment. I really don't know why you'd waste your time posting that at all. Humanity still needs quite a bit of work if there's still people making comments like this.
Your tears made us cry a bit as well Heather! It's the moment you've all waiting for! I remember my tears from the first IM 70.3 finish, still couldn't imagine myself at the end of a 140.6, even in Kona! Congrats all the way!
This is again some of the best content on all the channels. Your humbleness in the face of this challenge normalizes it for us lifetime amateurs. Would love to hear more perspective of this versus your experiences in pentathlon.
I had the pleasure to meet you few times (indirectly) in Kona during the Ironman week. For me the entire week was a humbling experience understanding how good the qualified athletes are compared to regular Ironman finishers. In regard to your question about what to do with celebs and generally the invitees in the race I believe putting them in a separate event would reduce the impact of the race splitting the public attention between the two events. What makes this event great is the fact that is one of the very few where as non-pro can compete against real pros. However I agree that invitees could interfere during the race with the pros or with the qualified age groupers. In order to minimize this possibility the organizers could create 6 waves at the start instead of four: 1 Pro men 2 Pro women 3 Qualified age groupers men 4 Qualified age groupers women 5 Invitees men 6 Invitees women This wave system would really spread the competitors based on their value/speed.
This is by far the best video both on GCN and GTN so far. Congrats Heather!!!!! Everyone can really tell how you enjoy this sport, or actually all three of them :)
You are gorgeous. I just wanted to give you a big hug when it dawned on you at the 10:06 video mark that you can see yourself finishing. You are awesome, so felt your emotions at that moment. Congrats and thank you for sharing with us that genuine moment.
Congratulations Heather! Thanks for sharing your experience with us. I may never compete in an Ironman, but I know the feeling of satisfaction you had at Kona is how I feel every time I complete my local sprint triathlon. That feeling of accomplishment and sense of pride is indescribable! Well done!
Heather, thank you so much for sharing your experience, it really touched me and gave me the motivation I needed... I just started training for my first Ironman 70.3 like 3 weeks ago and I was having a tough time adjusting to the swimming... In the stationary bike I was going great, I could already do 81 K thanks to my running-background-endurance, but then last week I had my first training with a racing MTB bike (I don't have a triathlon bike yet) and I felt SO lame... I felt like I was going to fall into the ground by any second because I'm not used to the frame and light weight of the bike (and I ALMOST did fall which didn't helped at all)... I was just so scared about all the things that could possibly go wrong but then I saw your video and I felt so motivated to keep pushing myself out of my comfort zone until I get the hang of it... Because I want to get to the finish line just like you, with tears of joy in my eyes, and with the people I love cheering me until I finish...
after gmbn's Martyn Ashton Rides Whistler video, this has to be my favorite video of the gcn network. i will put this along side the whistler video. Heather you really took us on a journey here! I feel so proud, even though i have never done any triathlon or anything. I am proud of you!
Heather you so inspire me! I am currently in training for my first 70.3 and all these vlogs help me to be motivated even when I don't want to me. Thank you!
Great job heather ..and the GTN show ..you guys are just what we needed .to inspire us all to get to out ultimate goal .....I personal can't wait to full fill my dream on day and feel that emotion from beginning to end of an kona experience !!! Thanks for share 😂
Congratulations, Heather!!!! I am still dreaming of my first Ironman and you completed 2 already, including Kona!!! You earned bragging rights for life!!! Thank you for showing us how it looks like for age-groupers...keep these videos coming!!! ❤️
Just managed to see this. Absolutely fantastic VLOG. Made you feel as though you were actually there. You could really feel your excitement and nerves. Like some of the others have said almost brought a tear to my eye when you finished. Could go on for ages about how good this was but better cut it short. Well done to you and all the team at GTN.
Dammit Heather, I've just come here from Mark's Nordstrom Video, and Fraser's extreme triathlon video, i even had goosebumps with that last one, but you got me on the finish line sentimental moment, I guess Kona IS that special. Great job Heather, and i have to admit i laughed out loud with Mark at 17:48 saying "this race is long" with the shades out of place haha, excellent content here. Congrats to all GTN you all three are beasts, my personal idols you all.
What an amazing video Heather is a real inspiration love the way she keeps it real, she has a lovely personality ❤️ she is a real credit to GTN I'm hooked. Keep up the good work Guys 👍👍👍
What I like about this channel and those who represent it, is that they actually race in these events so when they share about the ways to train and how to prepare and what to do during these competitions, they know what they're talking about.
This is one of the best IM coverage I've watched so far. Heather did an amazing job and had a well deserved finish, sharing her feelings, emotions, and joy in a beautiful way. You, lovely Heather, have become my instant idol ! Thank you so much !
You guys have a lot of great videos, but this has been by far the best. You captured the multitude of feelings and emotions that I think a lot of your viewers/ fans felt on race day (personally for me, you brought back memories of my first Ironman 70.3 in Victoria this year) and to semi relive but also in the context of kona and a full Ironman is ridiculously inspirational and motivating. Makes me want to go for the full at sometime. Thanks for being so open with your thoughts and feelings and sharing Heather! WELL DONE!
Seeing Heather get emotional at the end reminded me of my sister finishing Ironman Mt. Tremblant in 2015. It really is an incredible feat. Brilliant work Heather!
So inspirational! Love seeing your enthusiasm and excitement for the race. Finishing that course must be so hard, smashing it like you did is absolutely amazing! Loving the channel!
Amazingly well done. Both on the race, but also on the best content GTN has to offer. You should really think about putting this together as a long form documentary in one video.
Just amazing, the physical achievement and just the raw emotions. Such a motivating video. Awesome job GTN and thanks Heather for letting us follow your triathlon journey. Definitely not easy preparing for your own race and presenting at the same time. Appreciate the work that you and mark are doing. Well done GTN! Bravo!
Congrats Heather, so inspiring, I know how it feels like to cross the finish line after such a long event, especially when it's the first time you do it. You might burst into tears but inside it's the best day of your life. That's the sign of a race well planned and executed, kudos!
I loved seeing the pressure slowly build up and then the release at the end. Any race that can do that is special. Great job! I would love to be able to do an ironman, I want to know what it feels like to finish it.
Very impressive performance Heather! you summed it all: "it was such a long way to go!"fantastic!... you got the respect of everyone! GTN is lucky to have you. Everytime I watch a video I say: this is the courageous girl who did Kona! wow...
I was there on holiday, accidentally one week before the Ironman of that year, and we drove along those semi-desert roads (south coast is quite dry) and saw people biking and running along it for training, at high noon, in the midday heat. Absolutely impressive!
That just give me goosebumps and very emotional at the end.😭 Well done Heather, I hope to do Ironman UK in Bolton in 2022 at the ripe old age of 59, I must be mad!!!
This was awasome! Congrats from TJ, mexico!! u were the best!! i hope one day i can be as stong as you are! this was such a cool video! hope we have more like this :D
Would also like a follow up to see how Heather is felling post Kona. As well videos about maintaining or regaining motivation after a major event would be great too!
OMG Heather finally got to watct this fantastic insight to your 1st Kona!! Never done anything like it but I felt the emotional rollercoaster for ya!! So lucky to have done it..... what a life goal achievement ✔!!!😍👌🏻
Fantastic video ..... tears here too.... Ironman is an emotional, painful but nevertheless inspirational thing, ridiculous we put ourselves through it really!!! Would love to be in a position to do Kona one day. ALOHA Heather!!
What a legitimately moving video, holy wow. Super props to you Heather, I'm humbled by your generosity, kindness, and ability to push yourself while remaining poised and human. Thank you
This is what I've been waiting for. Waiting 30+ years for. A proper point of view of Kona from the eyes of an age grouper that I kind of feel vested in. Well done Heather! I got choked up at the end. What a great story. But, still, with all that sunscreen on, you still got a burn? 😜
Looks like Mark might be giving Lloydy a run for his money on the mineral waters!
More seriously, well done Heather! That is a seriously cool accomplishment, and these vlogs might be my favourite bits of content on here
Thank you Heather for all the inspiration you gave here and in the other videos. I watched this one many times since august this year (2023). Soon or already you landing again in Kona for work this time.
My flight is tomorrow. Hope I see you there.
You do so great work.
Best regards
Marie-Louise 🇸🇪
I actually cried a few tears when you started to cry at the end because l could feel the emotion you must have felt after such a grueling SBR! Fanastic blog and thank you so much for sharing your experience with everyone. Awesome job!
I started crying too!!!!
Yep!! I've watched this video a few times and always cry when I see the depth of her emotion and accomplishment. Heather, you were AMAZING!!
So did I. So emotional.
Pascal Khoury Why would you say that? Such a completely immature and pointless comment. I really don't know why you'd waste your time posting that at all. Humanity still needs quite a bit of work if there's still people making comments like this.
Well done Mark, strong finish! You can see he's really struggling during the race.
James Ambrocio 😂🤣😂
😂🤣😂
Mark is not the one running
Well done Heather. You are a champion.
Your tears made us cry a bit as well Heather! It's the moment you've all waiting for! I remember my tears from the first IM 70.3 finish, still couldn't imagine myself at the end of a 140.6, even in Kona! Congrats all the way!
This is again some of the best content on all the channels. Your humbleness in the face of this challenge normalizes it for us lifetime amateurs. Would love to hear more perspective of this versus your experiences in pentathlon.
Congrats Heather. Amazing acomplishment!
I had the pleasure to meet you few times (indirectly) in Kona during the Ironman week. For me the entire week was a humbling experience understanding how good the qualified athletes are compared to regular Ironman finishers. In regard to your question about what to do with celebs and generally the invitees in the race I believe putting them in a separate event would reduce the impact of the race splitting the public attention between the two events. What makes this event great is the fact that is one of the very few where as non-pro can compete against real pros. However I agree that invitees could interfere during the race with the pros or with the qualified age groupers. In order to minimize this possibility the organizers could create 6 waves at the start instead of four:
1 Pro men
2 Pro women
3 Qualified age groupers men
4 Qualified age groupers women
5 Invitees men
6 Invitees women
This wave system would really spread the competitors based on their value/speed.
This is by far the best video both on GCN and GTN so far. Congrats Heather!!!!! Everyone can really tell how you enjoy this sport, or actually all three of them :)
These are the best gtn videos! Keep them coming, guys! Congrats Heather!
I’ve been looking forward to this so much, definitely my favourite GTN content! It’s so cool to have an insight into the day, well done Heather!
Samuel Walls They could have made a movie out of this 😁
You are gorgeous. I just wanted to give you a big hug when it dawned on you at the 10:06 video mark that you can see yourself finishing. You are awesome, so felt your emotions at that moment. Congrats and thank you for sharing with us that genuine moment.
Congratulations Heather! Thanks for sharing your experience with us. I may never compete in an Ironman, but I know the feeling of satisfaction you had at Kona is how I feel every time I complete my local sprint triathlon. That feeling of accomplishment and sense of pride is indescribable! Well done!
Heather, thank you so much for sharing your experience, it really touched me and gave me the motivation I needed... I just started training for my first Ironman 70.3 like 3 weeks ago and I was having a tough time adjusting to the swimming... In the stationary bike I was going great, I could already do 81 K thanks to my running-background-endurance, but then last week I had my first training with a racing MTB bike (I don't have a triathlon bike yet) and I felt SO lame... I felt like I was going to fall into the ground by any second because I'm not used to the frame and light weight of the bike (and I ALMOST did fall which didn't helped at all)... I was just so scared about all the things that could possibly go wrong but then I saw your video and I felt so motivated to keep pushing myself out of my comfort zone until I get the hang of it... Because I want to get to the finish line just like you, with tears of joy in my eyes, and with the people I love cheering me until I finish...
This is peak GTN. I’ve watched this so many times over the last few years. I get choked up every time at the end.
after gmbn's Martyn Ashton Rides Whistler video,
this has to be my favorite video of the gcn network. i will put this along side the whistler video.
Heather you really took us on a journey here!
I feel so proud, even though i have never done any triathlon or anything.
I am proud of you!
Congratulations Heather! I got choked up at the end too. Videos like these will be the hallmark of GTN. Keep 'em coming
Heather you so inspire me! I am currently in training for my first 70.3 and all these vlogs help me to be motivated even when I don't want to me. Thank you!
Great job heather ..and the GTN show ..you guys are just what we needed .to inspire us all to get to out ultimate goal .....I personal can't wait to full fill my dream on day and feel that emotion from beginning to end of an kona experience !!! Thanks for share 😂
I just wanted to hug Heather after she finished!
Fully inspired now to take on my first IM in April in South Africa! Well done Heather, and kudos for keeping your sock game strong
Congratulations, Heather!!!! I am still dreaming of my first Ironman and you completed 2 already, including Kona!!! You earned bragging rights for life!!! Thank you for showing us how it looks like for age-groupers...keep these videos coming!!! ❤️
Philippe, good luck with getting to the start line of your first, it will be worth the hard work!
That made me tear up at the end . What an amazing job you did ! This is my dream. Thanks for the inspiration and the tips channel ! Congratulations!🎉
Tatiana, that is very kind, thank you.
Just managed to see this. Absolutely fantastic VLOG. Made you feel as though you were actually there. You could really feel your excitement and nerves. Like some of the others have said almost brought a tear to my eye when you finished. Could go on for ages about how good this was but better cut it short. Well done to you and all the team at GTN.
Thanks Phill, it's great to hear you enjoyed it!
Well done on an honest, real and emotional vlog. You did great.
That's what triathlon is all about... Nothing beats those pre race nerves and excitement. Heather is an absolute leg-end!
Dammit Heather, I've just come here from Mark's Nordstrom Video, and Fraser's extreme triathlon video, i even had goosebumps with that last one, but you got me on the finish line sentimental moment, I guess Kona IS that special. Great job Heather, and i have to admit i laughed out loud with Mark at 17:48 saying "this race is long" with the shades out of place haha, excellent content here. Congrats to all GTN you all three are beasts, my personal idols you all.
What an amazing video Heather is a real inspiration love the way she keeps it real, she has a lovely personality ❤️ she is a real credit to GTN I'm hooked. Keep up the good work Guys 👍👍👍
Thanks Ian!
What I like about this channel and those who represent it, is that they actually race in these events so when they share about the ways to train and how to prepare and what to do during these competitions, they know what they're talking about.
Thank you for showing the emotion at the end. That was the best part of the vlog! Very cool, and we’re all proud of you!
This is one of the best IM coverage I've watched so far. Heather did an amazing job and had a well deserved finish, sharing her feelings, emotions, and joy in a beautiful way.
You, lovely Heather, have become my instant idol ! Thank you so much !
Loved watching the live feed of you finishing. You smashed it heather!!!!!!!!!!
Congrats Heather and great job GTN with the filming. Also, laid back Mark is the best Mark lol.
Well done Heather and GTN! Wonderful editing and music. Thank you!
You guys have a lot of great videos, but this has been by far the best. You captured the multitude of feelings and emotions that I think a lot of your viewers/ fans felt on race day (personally for me, you brought back memories of my first Ironman 70.3 in Victoria this year) and to semi relive but also in the context of kona and a full Ironman is ridiculously inspirational and motivating. Makes me want to go for the full at sometime. Thanks for being so open with your thoughts and feelings and sharing Heather! WELL DONE!
Congrats, Heather!! Fantastic effort and content from all of you at GTN. Thank you so much for being a great inspiration!
Amazing achievement, huge congrats. Also: kudos to the rest of the crew behind the camera. This film turned out great!
Seeing Heather get emotional at the end reminded me of my sister finishing Ironman Mt. Tremblant in 2015. It really is an incredible feat. Brilliant work Heather!
So inspirational! Love seeing your enthusiasm and excitement for the race. Finishing that course must be so hard, smashing it like you did is absolutely amazing!
Loving the channel!
Amazingly well done. Both on the race, but also on the best content GTN has to offer. You should really think about putting this together as a long form documentary in one video.
Cheers Jan, glad you enjoyed the video!
Good on ya, Heather! Wow. And, GTN, this was so beautifully shot and produced. Such high quality. Cheers!
Fantastic video, looking forward to the sequel next year!
Congratulations Heather! You made the race look easy which is dangerous because I might try to qualify after my first race like you
Fantastic video. Congratulations and thank you for sharing the roller coaster ride of emotions. Bravo!
This was absolutely ace. Perfectly edited and what an accomplishment for Heather! Congrats!
Thanks Colin.
Congratulations Heather and thank you for a very inspirational and beautiful video! Keep up the good work at GTN!
One of the best videos on TH-cam, congrats Heather that was a fantastic performance
What an incredible video, pure inspiration for the sport. Massive congratulations to Heather, unreal accomplishment
Loved this! Had tears and cheers for Heather! Loved how Mark also toasted her with a pint!
Just amazing, the physical achievement and just the raw emotions. Such a motivating video. Awesome job GTN and thanks Heather for letting us follow your triathlon journey. Definitely not easy preparing for your own race and presenting at the same time. Appreciate the work that you and mark are doing. Well done GTN! Bravo!
Wow i love this format! Keep it up guys hope GCN does this format more often as well congrats heather!
Great job Heather!! Been waiting for this video to see how it went for you! 👍👍
Congrats Heather, so inspiring, I know how it feels like to cross the finish line after such a long event, especially when it's the first time you do it. You might burst into tears but inside it's the best day of your life. That's the sign of a race well planned and executed, kudos!
I loved seeing the pressure slowly build up and then the release at the end. Any race that can do that is special. Great job! I would love to be able to do an ironman, I want to know what it feels like to finish it.
Very impressive performance Heather! you summed it all: "it was such a long way to go!"fantastic!... you got the respect of everyone! GTN is lucky to have you. Everytime I watch a video I say: this is the courageous girl who did Kona! wow...
Bernard, thanks!
I was there on holiday, accidentally one week before the Ironman of that year, and we drove along those semi-desert roads (south coast is quite dry) and saw people biking and running along it for training, at high noon, in the midday heat. Absolutely impressive!
Bravo Heather. Brilliant vlog of Kona. Many Many Thanks GTN.
Cool video! loved the documentary style of it. Congratulations Heather on the time!
Well done Heather. Very inspiring especially for newbies like my self. Best of luck.
Heather that was am amazing time you nailed all three kudos.
Fantastic GTN, love the positive vibes and community spirit deep at the core of the channel!
That just give me goosebumps and very emotional at the end.😭 Well done Heather, I hope to do Ironman UK in Bolton in 2022 at the ripe old age of 59, I must be mad!!!
From a Kona dreamer, congratulations and thank you for the inspiration to push harder!
So much love for this! Did anyone else well-up or was it just me and Heather? :')
Glad you enjoyed it Sebastian!
This was awasome! Congrats from TJ, mexico!! u were the best!! i hope one day i can be as stong as you are! this was such a cool video! hope we have more like this :D
Would also like a follow up to see how Heather is felling post Kona. As well videos about maintaining or regaining motivation after a major event would be great too!
Mark has been taking tips from Dan Lloyd on topping up on mineral waters! Congratulations Heather great effort, had me welling up at the finish
I love these vlogs and I’m not even a triathlete. Congrats on your accomplishment!
Even I got goosebumps seeing this video. Wow well done!
Absolutely awesome! Massive congratulations Heather!
That was awesome Heather. Thank you! So inspiring!
These vlogs are the best Heather. Thanks
Thanks!
Wow, I cried seeing you get so emotional at the finish line. This makes me so excited to finish my IM 70.3. Great job Heather!
Thanks Alyssa, good luck with your 70.3
Amazing stuff, Heather. Truly inspirational. Well done
Just watched the vlog you did amazing, you are an inspiration to us all 😎
Thanks Michael
Great Job Heather. Mark - you're next up!
Excellent job Heather! Absolutely smashed it and still had the clarity to give a quick interview immediately after! You are a trooper!
Such a great vlog! I come back to this video every now and then for a pickup 🏊
Love that!
OMG Heather finally got to watct this fantastic insight to your 1st Kona!! Never done anything like it but I felt the emotional rollercoaster for ya!! So lucky to have done it..... what a life goal achievement ✔!!!😍👌🏻
Thanks Jason :)
@@heatherfell_oly can we get a tour of your "pain cave" and didn't know you were a pentathlon Olympian 😁😉
@@jascollinscork I think it's in the pipeline, or something similar once we're back to normal. Keep an eye out.
These vlogs are so cool, keep them coming!
Such an emotional video! Congrats Heather
Amazing video. Go Heather!
Amazing Heather! Your performance was fantastic!
Great job Heather! It was great to see you out on the bike leg and I'm glad to see you finished so strongly on the run! Massive kudos!
Fantastic video ..... tears here too.... Ironman is an emotional, painful but nevertheless inspirational thing, ridiculous we put ourselves through it really!!! Would love to be in a position to do Kona one day. ALOHA Heather!!
Much love and respect for Heather from California 🤙🏽 Way to goooo!!! You are such an inspiration.
Thank you!
Epic Heater very well done. Aimming to do my first Long Distance in 2019 at Outlaw
Phiu Phiu! Congratulations, nicely done Heather!
What a legitimately moving video, holy wow. Super props to you Heather, I'm humbled by your generosity, kindness, and ability to push yourself while remaining poised and human. Thank you
Thank you for sharing this tremendous experience! You are amazing, Heather
Heather - way to go! I've got a bit of the jitters for my first IM on the 10th in Boulder. Wish I could swim as well as you!
This is what I've been waiting for. Waiting 30+ years for. A proper point of view of Kona from the eyes of an age grouper that I kind of feel vested in. Well done Heather! I got choked up at the end. What a great story.
But, still, with all that sunscreen on, you still got a burn? 😜
Congratulations Heather, Its so gud to see u chase ur dream. Love from India
Just watched you finish... Congratulations!
Awesome Job Heather! Congrats, you Ironman!
Second ever Ironman,that too in Kona! Done so brilliantly well, congratulations Heather!
So very inspirational, honest, and true. So very proud of you....
Mtndoc1 thank you.
Getting nervous just watching! Hope to be there one day!
YEA, HEATHER!!! Well done, and ends with a smile.
Heather, you are inspiring. Keep up the race coverage.
Thanks Lori.