Chasing Kohala: The Hawaii 70.3 Ironman story
Training for an Ironman 70.3 usually means saying "goodbye" to your social life, including your partner. But for Hummingbird Member, Rena, this race is a little different.
In the debut episode of Chasing Kohala, we sit down with Rena to talk about her prep for Ironman Hawaii 70.3 and the curveball life threw at her training plan. Her partner, with zero previous triathlon experience, has decided to dive into the deep end and race alongside her.
With the support of Hummingbird Collective training plans, as well as some of Hummingbird's primary sponsors, this isn't just about a race; it’s about choosing to spend those long hours on the saddle and the early mornings in the pool together. Proving that the Ironman journey doesn’t have to be a lonely one.
Choosing Connection Over Competition
The Chasing Kohala series was born from a simple, beautiful idea: what if training for one of the world’s toughest races didn’t mean sacrificing your relationship? What if it meant strengthening it?
Follow along Rena's training over the next 20 weeks on the Hummingbird Collective Instagram.
Your goals made simple
We often put the Ironman 70.3 on a pedestal, viewing it as a feat reserved for the elite or the obsessed. Through Rena and Braeden’s eyes, we see a different reality. It is a distance that is challenging, yes, but it is also accessible.
It’s a goal that can fit into a busy life if you’re willing to get creative and, more importantly, if you have a teammate by your side. That’s why at Hummingbird we developed efficient, simple and easy to follow training plans for all levels, even first timers.
The Gear: Training Smarter, Together
Training for an Ironman 70.3 is as much about the tools as it is about the miles. To keep Rena and her partner moving efficiently and to ensure the "no-sacrifice" theme extends to their comfort and sanity, we called in our go-to Hummingbird sponsors.
In the crystal-clear waters of Hawaii, a wetsuit isn't always an option, which makes the SynSkin 3 Rena’s secret weapon. This isn't just a swim suit; it’s a high-performance textile engineered to reduce surface drag and muscle vibration. Approved by Ironman and World Triathlon (ITU), its hydrophobic fabric and welded seams help athletes shave seconds off every hundred yards. For Rena, it means more speed with less effort, allowing her to exit the water feeling fresh for the bike leg.
2. H2O Audio TRI 2 PRO Multi-Sport Headphones
One of the biggest hurdles for new triathletes is the monotony of long swim sets. To keep Rena's partner motivated during his crash course in lap swimming, we’ve tapped into H2O Audio’s TRI 2 PRO. These bone-conduction headphones are a total game-changer thanks to their PLAYLIST+ technology. It allows you to "record" and store offline streaming music directly onto the headset, so you can listen to your favorite Spotify or Apple Music tracks underwater without a phone. It’s the ultimate tool for making solo pool sessions feel like a shared party.
If you aren’t comfortable in the saddle, you won't want to spend time on the bike, period. The Hurricane Pro is the world’s only truly adjustable shape saddle, allowing Rena and Braeden to customize the width, angle, and profile to fit their unique anatomy. Using 3D-printed technology, the Hurricane Pro maximizes blood flow and filters out road vibration, which is critical for preventing the numbness and "saddle sores" that often derail a 70.3 build. It’s gear that adapts to the athlete, not the other way around.
See you on the next episode!
