Race Coverage

Stuff About the Women of the Chisago Half...

Tuesday, 24 July 2012 04:30

CHISAGO HALF VII - Cindy Blackstock (photo) had the biggest smile of all the Elite wavers on Sunday, her 50-60 teeth gleaming like polished Chicklets in the early post-dawn light.

She was smiling because she was surrounded by 1500 peers, people she loves, and because she was anxious to get her quest for a half IM personal best underway. And because she just plain likes to smile, being as she is, an intrinsically happy person and all.

Goshdarnit! This racing experience was unkind to Cindy. She told us about it in an email and though we could feel her disappointment and sadness, we also knew that she was smiling as she typed....

Here are her bittersweet, most sweet, words:

Hey MTN Guys,

Since you have the ear of the triathletes in MN, I wanted to send you a note about my experience while racing today. At mile 4 of the run, both of my legs completely seized up. I couldn't stand up straight or sit down. As I was bent over whimpering I heard the kind voice of my friend Suzie Fox as she was running by (she was out on a training run after her Sprint victory). Since I couldn't stand up straight, I never saw her face but would recognize that voice anywhere. She ran to the next pack of spectators and convinced someone to drive me into transition. While I was waiting, Andy Schiesl rode by and saw me doubled over. Andy stopped, gave me his water and then nearly carried me to the car that drove up. Many athletes stopped along the way to help. Outside of carrying me on their backs, not much anyone could do at that point. Number 56 (I don't know who the speedy girl is) stopped and offered me her salt tabs! Super impressed with how kind everyone was.

I am especially thankful for the complete stranger from the side of the road who loaded me into her car with her kids and drove me to transition. She was out there to cheer her husband on and left her spot to take me, literally just shouting out the window at him as we drove by. Sweaty, smelly, whimpering me in her car. She drove through barricaded roads and through grass all the way to the medical tent. She wouldn't take my "I think I can walk from here" for an answer. Her name was Heather. Wish I knew more as her kindness is much appreciated.

I love this sport for the healthy lifestyle, the sense of community and the friends I've made. Today was the first time I found myself "in need" and it was amazing to see how many complete strangers (and friends) went out of their way to help. How fortunate we are. - Cindy

ruther 2010 CLH women's winner / course record-holder Jackie Arendt, now in her 2nd extremely successful year of professional racing, didn't feel it when Ruth Brennan Morrey (photo L) painted a bright red target on her (Jackie's) back. Then again, the paint was metaphoric, and thus without tactile properties.

Jackie (photo below R) came into Sunday's race as the favorite, and though she knew a victory wasn't a slam dunk, she nevertheless expected to turn a time that was at least as fast as her 2010 CR (4:27:44). Her second win here should be the outcome, right?

Not really.

Jackie's swim was strong (high-27s) and certainly in keeping with her plan. Her bike, however, must have been somewhat of a disappointment (2:31:48) by comparison. It was bettered by three extremely talented amateurs, North Dakota's Tri-Queen / total sweetheart Marnie Walth (2:31:03), 2012 Liberty winner / total 70.3 studette, Kortney Haag (2:31:39), and Ruth, who had the fastest ride of the day; a 2:28:45.

Having a large margin coming out of the lake over each of these girls, Arendt doubtlessly assumed that she had little to worry about. Ninety minutes of running should seal the deal, right? jackie

Wrong! Very wrong. RBM is clearly the premier runner in US amateur multisports. Her 35-minute 10K finishes in ALL THREE of her Olympic races this year clearly illustrate this. Only a little more than three minutes down entering T2, Ruth smiled knowingly, then put down the hammer, the same one that won her the ITU World Long Distance Championship last November, as well as five of the six races she's entered this season prior to Sunday's contest.

1:21:05! Game over. New champ, new course record (4:25:55!). Six wins in seven starts in 2012.

Just how fast was Ruther? What's a 1:21:05 mean? We're talking about running 13+ 6:10 miles. In the heat and juicy air. On top of 58+ miles of prior balls-out racing. But this next fact should bring the magnitude of her run performance into focus: Only one person, of either gender, went faster on Sunday; albeit not by that much. Only former collegiate track and cross country star (Mizzou) Dan Hedgecock turned in a faster pedestrian split (1:20:02).

Whoa! And Wow!

Yes, Jackie Arendt did claim 2nd place (4:33:20), closing with a 1:31:22, which was the 2nd fastest women's run split of the day. That's right, RBM outran the second fastest girl by a margin of 10+ minutes. FYI, Ruth's half-distance debut here last year produced a 4:43:20, landing her on the final women's podium step.

Kort (4:42:15) and Marnie (4:48:47) claimed the 3rd and 4th placings, with Ann Snuggerud PRing her way into the Top 5 with a 4:55:43.

merilee What a great race! Spectacular, actually. Here are the women's Top 20 and divisional winners: