News & Reviews

I typically don’t race seven days after an Ironman, in fact I mock the young kids that can race that double but I wasn’t crazy sore the day after Wisconsin, as is usually the case.  My 7th place finish in Madison was about what I expected after an injury (calf/ Achilles) that took me out of running for several weeks.  My longest run the month leading up to Ironman had been 10 miles and I ran a total of 3 times the month before the race.

That being said, I was injury free and wanted to race for a number of reasons, and was glad I did. I think subconsciously I held back after I felt a few twinges on the bike in Madison. Here in Florida its so flat, I had not been feeling anything.  However, without feeling toasted from Madison and the 70.3 Cancun being a $50,000 prize purse race and big points I decided Thursday evening that I would fly out Friday morning.  The pack – re pack went quick (thankfully the bike was still in the box and I hadn’t unpacked much).  My parents were already here to help with the kids so I just decided to go.  The Club Med in Cancun where I got the royal treatment (many thanks to the Chief of Village, Eduardo and Kevin for arranging) was simply amazing and only 3k from the race site.

Things went smoothly from the beginning and being in Cancun just felt right.  My Kestrel went together no problem, my Rudy Project Helmet and glasses fit like a charm, I had my K-Swiss Uniform and shoes looking good with my All3 Sports Race Visor, my nutrition was locked in thanks to First Endurance and GU.  I had my TYR wetsuit and goggles (I re-packed my wetsuit, oh man - the only mishap was that in the re-packing phase I forgot my correct TYR Swimskin), and Cancun was definitely not a wetsuit swim.  Thankfully I had received a big package of First Endurance products prior to departure and had an Ultragen Recovery Drink every day, even while I wasn’t working out which certainly aided in my recovery as well as the fact that my Ironman run was like a long training day – the biggest run week in a while.

For the Pro Women start, the gun went off one minute after the pro men, but with no warning or countdown and half the women were not ready.  I got a great start and was able to get a gap of two feet from the sound of the gun and then get the draft as the ITU girls went by quickly.   I came out of the water in 5th place and felt great.  The roads were flat and smooth just like Florida, and at each turn around (2 loops) I could see my position.  I worked my way into third place by the end of loop one and into second position after completing loop two.  Christie Sym who was 9th at the 70.3 World Championships last week had a strong bike and would eventually go on to win the race.

On the run, I held my second place spot, even with the lack of run training – largely due to the gap I created on the bike as the fastest run splits of the day were turned in by the third and fourth place women.  I felt great race day,  Thank you to Luis Galvez the Race Director at Cancun for a wonderful event.

I also want to thank my tremendous sponsors for their continued support.  K-Swiss, many thanks to the entire crew, Erik, Ivette, Ben and Jon – you guys are the best and my gear is second to none.  To Morgan and the crew at All3 Sports – you guys rock!!  Many thanks to Flex Power, your awesome line of products are part of my daily recovery.  To Robert and First Endurance, my EFS kept me well hydrated throughout the day.  Thank you to Steve and Kestrel for my sweet ride, Brooke and the GU family – thanks for the opportunity to represent you and for the Roctane Gels that gave me the boost I needed on the run!!  To Ryan and TYR my continued thanks for all you do.  To Vinu and Colleen at Fuel Belt – many thanks for your support and to my friends at Try Chips – I love your chips, athletes do yourself a favor and check them out.  To my new Sponsor Rudy Project I am thrilled to be part of the family, your helmet and glasses are second to none.

All the best – Heather Gollnick
5x Ironman Champion