NewsMore Kona Bound Women
Gaylia Osterlund profiles more of the women heading to Hawaii next week
Published Friday, October 3, 2008
The second running of the Ford Ironman Louisville, Kentucky provided the athletes with an amazing opportunity to race in Kona-like conditions with temperatures reaching 90 plus degrees and humidity to match. Amazingly, the times these gals posted are still quite fast. But, before we get started there, one note to add to yesterday's story on Laurelee Welder:
In the article posted yesterday about Subaru Ironman Canada, we did not have a chance to tell you about Laurelee Welder (W50-54). Welder will be making her second trip to the Ford Ironman World Championship as a result of her amazing first place finish in Penticton (11:16:02). Her lightening fast marathon (3:44:49) was a major factor in knocking off 1 ½ hours off her Ironman time and setting a new course record for her division.
A year ago Kate Pallardy (W18-24) could not have imagined she would be at the start line of the Ford Ironman World Championship any time soon. Her only cycling experience was on her cruiser and the use of clipless pedals without daily falls eluded her. It was her natural athletic talent and unltra-running background that set the stage for her 10:36:26 finish. Kate was the first amateur woman to the line and eighth overall, including the pros.
With her whole family as support, 25-year old Katie Rhodes heads to Kona for the first time. Rhodes is another one of the many women who qualified while racing their first Ironman (11:41:38). She is a solid runner by nature posting a personal best time of 3:34 at the Boston Marathon.
Neva Fulkerson (W25-29) says race day in Kentucky was the second best day of her life, trumped appropriately by the day she got married. Neva has been competing in triathlon since 2005, with Louisville being her first attempt at going long. She sports a solid racing resume at other distances including a fourth place finish at The Columbia Triathlon last May.
Elizabeth Thiel, 30, is the wife of a deployed soldier. Ironman training and racing helps her to keep life in perspective. She says no matter how hot, exhausted or hungry she is, she just reminds herself her husband has endured much worse for longer periods of time. Thiel has clocked a sub-one hour Ironman swim in Canada and consistently runs under four hours on the marathon. If she rides strong, Elizabeth could easily see a top ten finish in her division.
D’Arcy Dawson joins Elizabeth in this division having finished fourth in a time of 11:16:26. Dawson is passionate about our sport and looks forward to using her finely honed mental discipline to stay focused and in the moment.
Meredith Brooke Keeran (W30-34) actually qualified at Ironman Arizona in April, but was not aware she had to be there to accept the slot. Not a mistake she will probaly make again. Lesson in hand, she set her sights on Louisville and crossed the line in 10:38:56 good enough for first place in her division, second amateur woman and 10th overall female including the pros.
A former pro and veteran in our sport, 49-year old Claudia Kretschman surprised herself by pulling out such a solid race (11:47:35). Since her year has been focused on taking care of her mom post-surgery, Claudia hit the start line with just two long rides and runs and a smattering of shorter sessions thrown in between work and mom’s medical appointments. Kretschman will head to the Big Island with no expectations, but I consider her a strong contender at any race she starts.
Diane Sardes (W55-59) will probably be one of the happiest ladies at the start line on October 11. She has done several Ironman races but never really thought about trying for a slot to Kona. Her day in Louisville was no different. Sardes finished third in her division in a time of 15:06:31 but the first and second place gals turned the slot down. After watching her husband/Ironman training partner battle and beat what doctors told him was incurable cancer, my bet is she and her family will be celebrating more than racing in Hawaii.
Make sure to check back next week for the final article in our 2008 series. We will be taking a look at the overall start list and making predicitions (I call it guessing) as to what the podium might look like in each division.
Editor’s note: Each of the athletes profiled in Gaylia’s stories replied to her request for information. If an athlete’s name does not appear, it is because she did not hear back from them.
