Triathlon Challenge: Channeling Kona

Next week, the CNN Fit Nation Triathlon team heads to Kona, Hawaii, for a week of intense training? Follow along on The Chart and on Twitter, @CNNFitNation

"Every triathlete's dream is to race in Kona," my coach, Eric Reichwein, said when I told him the 6-pack would be going there for a week of training.

Being new to the sport of triathlon, I had no idea how incredible this opportunity really was or the significance of the location. I started to research Kona and discovered that many of the greatest professionals in the sport have trained and competed there. Now, I can hardly wait to get on the plane.

The fact that it's my first trip to Hawaii is really cool. But more than that, I'm excited about the opportunity to train there. I can just image myself running on the same sand, swimming in the same ocean and riding on the same trails that the best in the sport have experienced. What an honor that will be.

I hope to feel the presence of the greats that have trained and competed in Kona. I hope to be inspired and push myself harder than ever before. I hope to build a momentum that will carry me to a strong finish in New York City.