For Skye Ombac, competing in the Ironman World Championships has been a dream for as long as she can remember. In just three weeks, her dream will finally come true; Ombac will be among 2,500 of the fittest athletes of the world to finally make her mark in this iconic race held in Kailua-Kona.
“I am just so excited and ready to go!” Ombac said. “A couple of weeks ago I was feeling excited but nervous, but now I’m just feeling excited! We have done most of the work we can, the money is in the bank.
“Ironman is constantly on my mind; I’m sure my students and roommates are tired of hearing me talk about it. The race is so special and brings a type of energy that cannot be described. I cannot wait to feel that energy and be on the start line. I am counting down the days to one of the most special moments of my life.”
Born and raised in Hilo, the 26-year old fifth grade teacher at Kahakai Elementary School did not get serious about sports until high school when she competed in track and cross country. Growing up, Ombac remembers her parents making the two-hour cross-island trip from Hilo to Kona so that Ombac and her twin sister could witness the world’s best compete in the full-day 2.4-mile swim, 112-mile bike, and 26.2-mile run.
“I grew up watching the best athletes in the world compete on my home island, it was hard not to get inspired and want to compete one day,” Ombac said.
Ombac remembered the adrenaline rush cheering for Ironman all-star athletes like Normann Stadler, Natascha Badmann, Kate Major, and Faris Al-Sultan. However, it was local professional triathlete, Bree Wee, who inspired her like no other. Little did Ombac know, they would later become close training partners and friends.
“Bree was the local athlete I always remember cheering for,” Ombac said. “I had no idea she would one day become my training partner, mentor, and one of my closest friends. Throughout this amazing journey she has been there for me every step of the way. She has given me all the confidence I need to get to the finish line on October 6.
“Without Bree, I would not be where I am today. She has shown me what it takes and has been the world’s greatest mentor. She has stayed with me on my darkest training days and my greatest training days — without her, my ‘Road to Kona’ journey would not have begun yet.”
As a full-time teacher at Kahakai, Ironman training doesn’t come easy. Ombac constantly juggles her training before and after school to get miles in. Sometimes that may mean waking up well before the crack of dawn to squeeze in a long run before school.
“I’m not going to lie, it is tough,” Ombac said. “Beginning a new school year when Kona is just around the corner is exhausting. I thankfully have the support system to remind me why I love everything I do.
“Our 5th grade team at Kahakai has made it possible for me to spend hours training because of all of our collaboration. The Kona Tribe always shows up to every training session with me to make the hours fly by. Sometimes we wake up at 3:30 a.m. to get a long run done before school — which sounds impossible when setting my alarm — but as soon as I am with my training partners, 3:30 doesn’t feel early anymore. The people I have surrounded myself with make the teaching and training life possible for me.”
Ombac said she and a few others are coached by former Hawaii professional triathlete, James Cotter.
“We are learning that sometimes less is more and it is about quality over quantity,” she said. “We are swimming every weekday morning at Kona Aquatics before school, and if we have a run on the schedule, then we get that done before Masters. If a bike is on the plan, we meet after school to get that done.
“Our weekends are our big training days with Saturday being our long bike and brick run; Sunday being our long run day. I cannot remember the last time I went into a training session alone; my training crew and I do whatever we can to start and end a workout together.”
Ombac’s father also happens to be local race announcer, branding specialist for Nutrex-Hawaii, and a 2015 Ironman World Championship finisher, Eddie-O Ombac. Her fraternal twin, Katrina, is also an elementary school teacher and Ombac’s best friend.
“Being a twin is the best!” Ombac said. “I always had a best friend that couldn’t get rid of me. She is always at my races and she goes on my emotional rollercoasters with me. If I’m at the finish line crying, so is she. She is always there for me. I couldn’t ask for a more supportive sister and I truly appreciate her keeping up with my wild antics.”
Ombac said she is already looking forward to seeing her family and training partners at the finish line.
“I know I will be a big puddle of tears when I cross that finish line. My family knows that this has been my dream since I was a kid, and they have been there for me every step of the way. When I picture the finish line, I see them there waiting for me. They will get the sweatiest, most tearful, and gross hug ever! The Kona Tribe has also been there for me every step of the way, and I could not imagine getting to the start line without them. I cannot wait to see them at the finish line and immediately start going through our day and how everything went.”
