I have known John Schelp from SCS Multisport and he was bringing a small group from Minnesota down to Florida for some training.  I always love the Triathlon Camps but this was the 3^rd Camp in four weeks.  I didn’t expect anything out of the usual, swim - bike – run – coach – socialize – eat – and teach but this group was special. Each athlete I can honestly say was so amazing I can’t even explain it.  Coach John is a Christian and I think he just attracts (coaches) these personalities.Maybe it was because they all know each other? No – it was just because they are great people because we did have Amy Hanrahan join the group and she fit in like she had known everyone for years.  I had scheduled a goal setting/mental prep lecture on Thursday after our feast that my husband Todd prepared (chicken, sweet potatoes, corn, salad, fruit and yes a little chocolate to cap things off).  Friday we had an open water swim lecture and swim followed by a short break then underwater video-taping and a bike scheduled. 

During the break I was going to my daughter’s school to run a bunny-hop event that had all the classes competing against each other.  The contest was how many laps the class (with parents or friends) could complete around the field.  Last November the classes competed in one (not nice) child made a snide comment as my daughter Jordan who has Cerebral Palsy only completed 3 laps, (truth be told for a girl with CP that uses canes to walk she worked her butt off – she worked like an Ironman Athlete).  Anyway, don’t get me started – so she begged mom please come and run laps – please – your fast, etc….. so when I told the campers/athletes where I was going to be Friday afternoon they all wanted to run for Jordan!!  We all had matching IronEdge Shirts on and we ran at McNeal Elementary for Jordan. 

I had the privilege of flying to Chattanooga Tennessee for one of my great new sponsors.  I have had the opportunity to do some consulting work for Quintana Roo on their bikes for 2008 and now I am working with the company to revamp the wetsuit line and work on the 09 bikes.

But after the work I got to play – I drove to Greenville South Carolina and shared my stay between friends Nick and Gail Kattouf and Christina and Randall Maddox.  The riding (despite feeling very cold compared to Florida) was absolutely fantastic.  There are Mountains there!!  YEAH!!!  I did a long ride Saturday “the bakery ride” with some of Randall’s friends and Sunday Rick hooked me up with Chris Giordanelli (giordanelli.com) a super stud triathlete and super nice guy. 

We had such a fun ride.  He took me up Ceasers Head.  It was an 8 mile climb – don’t get to do that in Florida (not sure if he had to wait for me more going uphill or down?)  What a Blast!!  Thanks G-Man!!That afternoon/evening I was starving and couldn’t stop eating.  Christina made an awesome Salmon dinner and Randall helped me pack up my bike.  The next morning I thought I’d go out for a run before hoping on my flight.  I was running down Main Street looking for a park/run path (couldn’t find it) but did see 2 hot shot young girls running and stopped to ask them where to run.  They were Ashley Long and Marit Chrislock-Lauterbach.  They graciously took me on a beautiful run through Centennial Park and up some great hills.  Thanks for the camaraderie and new friends – it was the perfect day before boarding my plane for home.  By the way check out their blogs:

Ashleylong.blogspot.com

Marit-chrislock-lauterbach.blogspot.com

FIRST ENDURANCE

Sponsored Triathlete Heather Gollnick wins Pucon 70.3Jan 20th, 2008 –

Gollnick is in the prime of her racing career and manages the IronEdge Ironman camps.5x Ironman Champion

  / 2007 Ironman Arizona Champion / 2007 Ironman Louisville Champion  

4th Barbara Buenahora ARG

5th Paula Salazar CHI

About First Endurance: First Endurance proudly sponsors Michael Lovato, Josiah Middaugh, Heather Gollnick, Greg and Laura Bennett, Seth Wealing and other top professional triathletes. These triathletes work closely with First Endurance on new product development. Input and trials from the First Endurance athletes are used to develop new products like PreRace, OptygenHP and the EFS liquid shot, which will be introduced in 2008.  

My journey to Pucon.Todd and I were very excited to journey to Pucon once again this year.  I cannot say enough about this town and the support for this great race.  Pucon hit a new milestone this year officially joining the 70.3 circuit, which is something that is well deserved, as this is one of the best organized races I have ever been to.  I am always so impressed with how we are treated in this town.  The local population welcomes the Triathlon Community with open arms.  Even speaking the small amount of Spanish that I do we never find it a problem as people bend over backwards to be helpful. 

I was really looking forward to racing this year.  Last year I was in a dual to the end with Lisa Bentley who outran me by a mere 11 seconds.  I wasn’t going to let that happen again this year.  To prepare for this race I have been focusing on my run, however as we all know Florida isn’t known for its hills.  I’ve been doing bridge repeats (only hills in

Race morning brought us some very cool temperatures.  I did my typical warmup, got a hug fromTodd and got in the water to warmup.  The pro’s typically have a 20 meter lead over the amateurs.  Todd recounted for me the beginning moments of the race as the countdown began and the age-groupers decided to move in mass.  By the time the countdown hit GO – everyone was entering the water together.  The swim could only be described as a “Hammer Fest” – not sure I have been in such a scrum in a long time.

I exited the water in third place behind both Tereza Macel and Sandra Soldan.  There was a cool breeze and a light mist in the air as we took off on our bikes.  The roads here are very rough and I found myself dealing with some mechanical issues right off the bat.  It’s something I had to work through the entire ride and therefore just never found myself getting into a groove.  Can’t wait for those new Zipp wheels to compliment my new sweet ride, that should do the trick.  It’s safe to say that I was happy to see T2 but found myself six and a half minutes behind leader Tereza Macel and three and a half minutes behind Lindsey Corbin who had climbed into second place.

I knew the task at hand was going to be a challenging one but I also knew that I was up for it.  I had been looking forward to this run for weeks.  I absolutely love this portion of the Pucon race course.  It is a three loop course with some very challenging hills, especially the second and third time around.  This plays to my strength however. 

I went out hard from the very beginning.  I knew that I had a lot of time to make up but I also had a lot of confidence in my run.  This course is great because you can see the competition so many times.  With each turnaround I could see that I was eating away into the leaders so with each lap I pushed harder.   My mindset was WIN or Crash and Burn.I passed Tereza Macel at the end of the second lap.  It was now down to me and Lindsey.  We took off up the hill to begin lap number three.  I was thirty seconds down and felt confident,  as I was still running very strong.  I passed Lindsey just before the turnaround point of our third and final lap.  I pushed even harder hoping she would not try to stay with me.  For the remainder of the third lap I had a chance to enjoy the moment.  The crowds here are absolutely great and my finish through town was truly memorable.

I have many people to thank.  I am very blessed to have the support of not only my family but of some terrific sponsors.  To QR thank you for my sweet new ride, I can’t wait to develop even more cutting edge products as the year progresses. 

First Endurance, thank you for the array of Nutritional Products that you offer.  I can go into race day confident that I have the nutrition necessary to fuel me all day long.

Ironman Helmets, you make some of the best headwear available anywhere.  I cannot wait to break out a new Aero-Helmet in the near future.  To Jaggad I so very much appreciate the wide array of quality clothes that I have to choose  from. Whether it’s a training day or race day I know I will have the comfort and support I need.   The comments  I received from my first outing in your clothes were nothing but positive.  The colors are
great, you guys Rock!!

To Ed Levins and my extended family at Village Bikes, you know I couldn’t do this without you.  As I have publicly stated many times before your friendship and support mean the world to me.  Thanks for everything. 

Speaking of the Midas touch a very special thank you to my massage therapist William Muhlstadt.  You continue to keep me at the level  necessary to race with the best in the World.To my friends at Zipp your aero-bars, components and wheels give me the confidence necessary to bike at a high level.

To Chris at Wigwam, Ryan at TYR and Holly at GU thanks for all the great product and for your friendship. 

It’s great to start out the season with a big win.  I am looking forward to training hard the next few months while preparing to defend my title in Arizona as well as giving back to other athletes  as we prepare for our upcoming Tri Camps in

We arrived today in Pucon Chile for the Pucon 70.3 (Half-Ironman)
I absolutely love this race.  We have been coming here for the past several
years and although it is quite the journey from Florida it is well worth it!!
The venus is just beautiful.  It is a prime vacation spot for residents of
Chile and I can see why!!  I describe it very similar to a quaint Colorado
town.  The scenery is amazing and the people of Pucon are very welcoming
of the Triathlon Community.  If your schedule ever allows for a trip to Pucon
you would not be dissapointed.