Tomorrow morning, I will be at the start line of the VINFAST IRONMAN World Championships. This will be my second time in Kona after previously participating in 2015.

I’m very proud to see a Vietnamese company as title sponsor of this legendary event just seven years after the first IRONMAN race came to Vietnam in 2015. It is also wonderful to see more athletes representing Vietnam at these World Championships than in any other year, including Le Hong Minh and Lam Tuc Ngan.

To me, the taglines for the two brands “ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE” from IRONMAN and “Boundless Together” from VinFast not only speak to endless possibilities for the growth of triathlon in Vietnam, but also to Vietnam’s own economic development and integration into the global economy.  

I’ve been fortunate to see Vietnam develop along many different dimensions during my 14 years living in the country. More recently, this has included the growing health and wellness movement and the ongoing focus on important social impact causes.   

I would like to use my Kona race as an opportunity to raise awareness and funds for three charities that Tina and I have been actively involved with over the years: Devotion to Children, Operation Smile Vietnam and Newborns Vietnam. All three organizations help improve the futures of the children and families whose lives they touch in Vietnam and elsewhere. I’ve had the honor and privilege of spending time with the spirited women who helped start each of these organizations and admire the impact, passion and ongoing conviction they have in making a difference.  

My goal, in celebration of my 50th birthday this year, is to raise USD50,000 for each of these organizations from now until the end of October. To help reach this goal, Tina and I will match all donations dollar-for-dollar. I hope you will support me on my journey and embrace this year’s race theme "Kū Like" (Stand Together) with a small donation.  

My bib number is 2350 if you wish to follow me on the IRONMAN live tracker app.  Seven years ago, I finished in 11 hours and 34 minutes at the age of 43. Tomorrow, I hope to also show that age is just a number by going faster!