For some, the Ironman World Championship in Kona is the athletic achievement of a lifetime. For 29-year-old Amy Bennett it's just a glass half full.

Bennett was poised to be the only woman to attempt a rare and punishing triathlon double this month — completing both the Kona Ironman, which she did in impressive fashion two weeks ago — and Sunday's grueling XTERRA World Championship — when she suffered a broken wrist during a photo and video shoot with The Advertiser on Tuesday.

Bennett, whose recovery period was estimated at six months, still hasn't completely ruled out competing in Sunday's event. However, doctors have already warned her that doing so would cross the line from gutsy and tenacious to plain loco.

"I caught my watch on something, went over the bars and went flying," said the still-chipper Bennett. "I felt pretty fit and I was hoping to crush the double, but part of all this is you never know what is going to happen."

Yet, while it is more than likely that Bennett will have to postpone her long-held goal of completing the double until next year, she has no intention of missing the XTERRA experience entirely. If she can swim, bike and run for herself, she'll sure stand, clap and cheer for the other competitors.

Bennett, whose best friend is fellow elite triathlete Rachel Ross, said the positive, supportive vibes generated by competitors and spectators alike makes the event, and the sport of triathlon, a lifelong keeper.

"I'd be there even if I had four casts on," she said.

The field is limited to 550 of the top off-road triathletes in the world. Hawaiian Airlines is offering a $2,500 prize to the man and woman with the fastest combined times from the Kona Ironman and XTERRA.

Over the years, XTERRA has earned a reputation as the premier off-road triathlon in the world, in large part because of its engagement of Maui's beautiful but treacherous natural environment.

The swim portion at Maluaka Beach consists of two laps around a 750-meter triangular course with a 150-meter sprint between laps.

The legendary bike leg takes competitors up and down Haleakala volcano, a total of 3,000 feet of climbing over silt, gravel, lava and grass.

The event concludes with an 11K run through lava fields, a forest and one long, muscle-draining stretch of Makena Beach.

"For people who want to experience the outdoors and who are concerned about the outdoors, this is the perfect event," Bennett said. "Man's greatest conquests throughout history have been man versus nature. This is a great excuse to go out and explore this playground of Hawai'i."

Bennett grew up in the Pantego district of Arlington, Texas, and attended the Merchant Marine Academy in Long Island New York. As a child, chronic knee problems led doctors to predict that she would never walk or run normally.

But the self-described "stubborn Texan" wouldn't hear of it. Despite seven knee surgeries, she participated in cross country, track, soccer and cheerleading. When her cheerleading squad had to appear at a wrestling match, she decided to take up wrestling, too, and continued with the sport through college.

Bennett eventually ended up in Kane'ohe as a public affairs officer for the Marines. On her doctor's advice she began swimming and biking to alleviate the strain all of her activity was putting on her knees.

After accompanying a friend to XTERRA one year, Bennett had a revelation of sorts.

"I was only a spectator but I never had more fun in my life," she said.

Her appreciation for the event and the camaraderie that surrounds it only deepened when she conquered the course herself.

"It's a challenge mentally because you can't ever let up or relax on that course," she said. "You've got to keep on your toes."

Bennett's injury will require some considerable adjustments to her monthly calendar. A race in Costa Rica is in question but a double-Waikiki Roughwater Swim next year is still likely. And she'll still be able to make her twice weekly coaching appearance at her friend's informal workout sessions for military spouses.

She may even take up a new hobby.

"Maybe I'll become the Halo 3 world champion!"

Reach Michael Tsai at mtsai@honoluluadvertiser.com.