By J.R. Rosania, Co-Founder Iron90.com

The recent earthquake in Kona, HI is just one more example of what locals call the "The Queen's Rage". In October 2004 on the morning of our Kona Ironman race, I awoke to weather reports estimating temperatures to be in the mid-90's combined with 90+% humidity, winds gusts of 50+ MPH with moderate to heavy seas. At the end of the report the broadcaster said in a respectful, matter-of-fact-tone; "The Queen is Angry". Queen Kaahumanu ruled the Islands and was at times ruthless. Towards the end of her reign she was ever distrustful of "foreigners" venturing to the islands. Legend has it that disdain is felt even today and she occasionally punishes visitors and residence alike with incredible forces of nature. Her weapons of choice; unrelenting winds, torrential rain, oppressive heat, humidity and the occasional violent shaking of the earth.

"Bend, in the Presence of Her Majesty":
Queen Kaahumanu Highway is a brutal stretch of isolated black lava. After a 2.4 mile swim through a dangerous, white capped ocean, I mounted my bike for a 112 mile ride into this black abyss. This is the Queens torture chamber. There are no trees to offer shade, the mountains block any cloud cover and the cross winds reach gusts of over 50 miles an hour. The wind made an eerie sound as it pushed against my equipment and body, its voice was almost human as it screamed NO!. After over 7 hours on the bike her voice was still ringing in my ears as I began our run. It was early in the marathon that I would learn the meaning of what locals advised; "You Must Respect the Queen". I found myself bowing, then genuflecting to her over a dozen times that afternoon and into the evening as I became ill. She had punished us all and was demanding that I either quit or pay her respect. I was beaten down, the lights of Ahli Drive and the finish line seemed a 1,000 miles in the distance, an impossible task given my condition. Yes, I wanted to quit and decided to do so dozens of times only to reconsider as I made it another step, light post, mile, aid station. At some point I just gave in and cut a deal with myself, I will finish this race I don't care about the midnight deadline I will not stop until I cross the line no matter what time it is.

Our Mission
Before Pat Tillman left to become an Army Ranger, we talk about the Hawaii Ironman. Pat was fascinated with the idea of an Ironman, we would sit and talk for hours and he would ask questions. I trained him for his first triathlon and he was hooked. Pat had plans when he returned from his service, play football, start a family, do an Ironman. It was done, when Pat returned home we would train and do Kona together. He would have loved this day, the rage, the difficulty, the challenge. I thought of him on our journey to the finish line, his family, his legacy, who he will inspire years from now. It was now night on Kona and out of the darkness a gentle but steady tail wind began to whistle with an almost human voice; YES, I crossed the finish line with his #40 jersey in my hands to complete our Ironman.

I will return to Kona this year as a spectator, in support of my IRON90 Race Team member and three time Ironman Champion, Heather Gollnick as she attempts to become the 2006 Ironman World Champion. My Kona Ironman will always be special, just thinking about it conjures up memories of Pat; exciting, fun and ever challenging me to discover my limits. Pat finds me now when I am alone doing what I love, he is the powerful head wind that makes me stronger and the tailwind that pushes me home.

Pat Tillman gave up his NFL career to enter the military. He was killed in action on April 22, 2004 while in the service of his country.

About Iron90: Jim "JR" Rosania, CSCS is the Co-Founder of Iron90. JR is one of the nation's top performance enhancement coaches. JR was selected as one of AMERICA'S TOP TRAINERS by MEN'S JOURNAL Magazine (December 2004 and 2005). JR's clients include Olympic, professional and elite athletes. He is the strength and conditioning consultant to Yale, Notre Dame and Stanford University swim teams and the coach for AARP Triathlon Training Program. JR is the past strength and conditioning coach for the Phoenix Suns of the NBA. He is an accomplished athlete, competing in over 130 triathlon's, 18 Ironman Triathlons, including the Hawaiian Ironman World Championships, 23 Half Ironman's, 5 marathons and numerous competitive cycling events. JR was named the 2002 USA TRIATHLON ALL-AMERICAN after winning the Clydesdale division.