With Kona just a few weeks away, I wanted to take a quick poll on what could turn out to be the best race of the year… That being the pro-women’s race at the Hawaii Ironman…
Who do folks think will come out on top?
While we’re on the subject, my 6th Annual Hawaii Ironman Pool to benefit the Challenged Athletes Foundation is now half full! Buy-in is just **$10 **per square and there will be 20 ways to walk away with something valued at at least triple your buy in. All prizes are tri/running/fitness-related items donated by my generous sponsors (BOB Gear, Fuel Belt, Headsweats, Powerbar and many many many others!).
Visit my site at www.ponyexpressrun.com and click on the “Ironman” link to enter or just take a look.
Hard to bet against Natascha. I have to assume that she is going to keep dominating until she at least shows some signs of weakness. She is an amazing athlete.
Personally, I think Dede Greisbauer will surprise a lot of people this year. While she may not challenge Natasha for first, I think she will have a good shot at the podium. You heard it here first.
Well as Kate said to me at Timberman last month… …sometimes it’s those who you don’t know much about that can surprise you. Guess that what makes this sport so much fun… the strategic thinking that goes on during a long, tiring day.
Wow that is a **BOLD **statement. Why so cynical on Natascha? Do you feel that Jones will put so much pressure on her that she self-destructs? or do you think there will be a repeat of the stomach issues that caused her to DNF in '97?
Do the other pros not like Natascha? In the awards video it just seemed like the other pros on stage were giving her odd looks and during the Ironmanlive broadcast they seemed to kind of be putting her down, talking about her penalty and her “mediocre” running skills, while constantly talking about how great Michellie is.
I’d love to see Lori in the mix, but now the pro women who are weaker swimmers cannot slingshot past 500 age group men and pick up free speed, while saving their legs for the run. In the past, the strong swim-bikers (or even strong bikers) had a disadvantage, but now they have a huge advantage. The likes of Lisa Bentley, Lori Bowden and Heather Fuhr, are hung out in the wind with no one for pacing or shelter, ripping their legs off before the run (relatively). It is now a fair race, for the women who were strong on the swim and had to bike with their noses in the wind.
While I hate to bet against our Canuck women, the 15 min headstart, now puts them at a disadvantage. It is now a fairer race for all women, which is a great thing.
Only 64 more squares in my Hawaii Ironman Pool benefiting the Challenged Athletes Foundation! With 20 prizes, your odds of winning something fantastic are 1 in 5ish… Buy in is $10 and you can buy as many squares as you want! (that goes without saying)…
I agree. This change has transformed the women’s race substantially. Although, no one has come right out and said that.
As for the topic at hand. I think that this is the year that Michellie nails it and does the same thing that Faris did last year - swims/bikes/runs with equal strength and speed to keeps everyone behind her right to the finishline.
Natascha all the way for me. I know she can’t go on winning forever but she’s proven she can win off the front and from behind. She’s the only constant over the lst few years.
When is Nina’s suspension over? If it was two years, with Kona being late this year, she just might be there… I know she’s been having a lot of success in Europe…
Nina would need to qualify and she didn’t. Pretty sure she hasn’t been extended a lifetime entry to Kona as a result of her “win” like is the case for past Kona Champions.
I’m with you on that one. Remember when she came out of the penalty box, puked before mile one and then ran the competition down like wanted criminals, all without ever losing her trademark smile. How can someone so small and so cute be such an animal?
And then there’s the bike. The one year Lori beat her, she did so on a Cheetah!