Gollnick thankful for gym background

Ironman is a test of three disciplines – swimming, biking and running. But Heather Gollnick credits another sport, gymnastics, for giving her the chance to defend her pro title at Ironman USA Coeur d’Alene today.

Gollnick was involved in a nasty bicycle accident nearly three weeks ago. She was traveling at about 40 mph on a group training ride when she hit a pothole on a downhill portion of the road. With her background as a college gymnast at Valparaiso, she instinctively tucked her head when she landed to prevent possible neck and back injuries.

“It just threw my bike up in the air,” she said. “Thankfully I had (15) years of gymnastics and I tucked my head and did a couple of rolls and skidded a ways. That was instinct from gymnastics. A lot of people’s instincts are to stick their hand out. My helmet took the brunt of the impact.”

Gollnick was transported by ambulance to the hospital. Aside from some painful road rash, x-rays showed no serious injuries to her back, neck and spine. She missed about a week of training and wasn’t able to swim for 12 days.

“I’m not where I will be at the end of the year, but I’m definitely in much better shape over the last few months,” she said. “I feel I’m in good shape to at least contend with everybody that’s here.”

Gollnick encountered flight delays en route to Coeur d’Alene. Scheduled to arrive at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, she finally made it at 2 a.m Thursday.

Gollnick juggles a busy schedule. In addition to Ironman training, she is a mother of three, including a daughter with cerebral palsy. She’s active in United Cerebral Palsy, her church and her children’s schools. And she’s added another title – triathlon coach. Three of her pupils will make their Ironman debuts today.

“For me it’ll be exciting to finish, shower and come back and watch them finish,” Gollnick said.

Women’s field loaded

The women’s pro division is stocked with contenders, including two-time Ironman World Champion Lori Bowden and defending champion Heather Gollnick, who was second at the Florida Half-Ironman and third at the Wildflower Half-Ironman this year.

New Zealand’s Lynley Allison and Monica Caplan of Boulder, Colo., are back after finishing second and third, respectively, at CdA last year. Caplan placed third at the Ralphs California Half-Ironman in early April.

“Lori won the world championship last October. Right now, I’d say she’s the best in the world,” Gollnick said. “Some people may be intimidated by it; some may be excited just to have the chance to race with her.”

Lieto withdraws from event

Pre-race favorite Chris Lieto pulled out of the Ironman because of a possible stress fracture in his hip, according to Shane Facteau, the communications director for Ironman North America. Lieto is the current U.S. Ironman champion.

For his son to be?

It’s been 21 years since Rodkey Faust, 36, of Rathdrum did an Ironman triathlon. And it’s been 22 years since, at the age of 14, he did his first Ironman.

His name will forever be listed in the Ironman records books for being the youngest overall finisher. Shortly after he did his first Ironman in Hawaii – he finished in a little more than 17½ hours, well within the then 24-hour limit participants were allowed to finish the grueling swim-bike-run event – officials instituted an age limit (18 years and older).

No doubt many memories will flood Faust’s mind today when he plunges into Lake Coeur d’Alene. But his motivation to revisit an Ironman has little to do with trying to prove he can finish.

Faust is dedicating his participation Sunday to a 1-year-old Guatemalen boy that he and his wife, Julie, are trying to adopt. Emilio currently lives with a foster mother in Guatemala City.

“It’s tied up in red tape,” Faust said of the adoption. “We’ve been trying to (adopt) for 11 months. It’s been a long process. We’ve been told it could take another two to four months.”

Faust started training lightly in the winter and picked up the intensity by dedicating about 15 hours per week since February. He rode his bike once a week to work in Spokane, cycling 66 miles round trip. On average he has run three to four times a week, totaling 20 to 25 miles.

He’s most concerned about the final leg of the Ironman, the 26.2-mile marathon.

“I didn’t run as much as I should have,” said Faust, who works for a sheet metal business. “The swim shouldn’t be any problem. I’ve been swimming in a pool and the lake the last month and a half. I feel good about the bike. I’ve put in a couple of 85-mile rides. I’d like to finish in 12½ hours. We’ll see how the body does and what the conditions are like.”

Returning age-group champs

Of the 19 age-group divisions among the amateur men and women, seven winners from a year ago return to try to defend their titles.

The lone local winner was Bill Travis of Coeur d’Alene. Travis, 56, finished in a time of 11 hours, 10 minutes and 4 seconds to capture the men’s 55-59 title.

Other returning winners are: Brad Schmidt of Saratoga, Calif., (men’s 25-29); Kevin Moats of Atlanta (men’s 45-49); Chris Johnson of Niguel, Calif., (men’s 50-54); France Cokan of Bellevue (men’s 70 and older); Julie Wilson of Sammamish, Wash., (women’s 35-39); and Karen Aydelott of Pasadena, Calif., (women’s 55-59).

Back for more

Matt Seeley of Polson, Mont., no newcomer to triathlons in these parts, returns in the pro division with hopes of finishing in the top three again.

Seeley had an Ironman breakthrough last year when he placed third, his highest placing. He finished in 9:03:35, nearly 23 minutes behind winner Michael Lovato of Boulder, Colo., but just 2:20 out of second.

Seeley is the top returning placer among the men. Lovato is doing an Ironman event in Germany.

This will be Seeley’s first Ironman of the year. “I feel like I’m ready to give it a good shot,” Seeley said. “I think I have a shot to win if things go right.”

Seeley has raced in two Half-Ironman events. He finished seventh at the Wildflower in California in early May and was ninth at the Florida Half-Ironman in late May.

Seeley said he’s tapered his training miles this year after logging more training than ever a year ago.

“I haven’t had as much volume and my times have gotten better,” Seeley said. “I did a lot last year and I think I’m reaping the rewards of that work. I’ve had some of my fastest times. Hopefully it’ll show (today).”