Anything Is Possible
IRONMAN isn’t just a race.
It’s a mindset.
A journey of mind, body, and soul.
I wasn’t born an athlete.
I built one — mile by mile.
No one expected me to be here:
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Running 30+ miles a week.
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Riding 180 miles through hills most avoid.
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Swimming 10,000 yards after a double mastectomy.
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Thriving without ovaries.
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Rebuilding after being hit by a car.
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Living fully with Hashimoto’s.
But here I am.
Because I believe that anything is possible when you show up with heart and grit.
Why I Race
I train not because it’s easy —
I train because I can.
I’m 47.
A mother.
A cancer previvor.
An endurance athlete who refuses to stop moving forward.
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In 2021, I finished my first triathlon: Augusta 70.3.
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In 2023, I crossed the IRONMAN Florida finish line — 140.6 miles of strength.
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In 2024, I ran the Boston Marathon.
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And now, I’m training for IRONMAN 70.3 Chattanooga.
This isn’t about being the fastest.
It’s about becoming the strongest version of yourself — from the inside out.
Why It Matters
IRONMAN changed my life.
But not everyone has access to this kind of transformation.
That’s why I race for the IRONMAN Foundation — because they bring hope, funding, and resources to the communities that host us.
To date, I’ve raised nearly $6,000 for this mission.
Because finish lines should build more than medals.
They should build people.
They should build possibility.
What I Believe
You don’t need perfect circumstances to become strong.
You need commitment.
You need heart.
You need belief.
I swim with a crooked elbow.
I run hills every week.
I train every day — not because I have to, but because I get to.
And I carry every woman with me who’s ever wondered:
“Can I really do this?”
Yes. You can.
Join Me
Every dollar I raise helps the IRONMAN Foundation do more — for more people, in more communities.
If this story moved you — or reminded you what’s possible —
Please consider donating.
Together, we race for more.
Thank you for supporting this journey.
Thank you for believing in what’s possible.
Get The Word Out
https://ironmanfoundation.donordrive.com/participant/IlanaKearns