Race Previews

Urgency & Specialness...

Friday, 03 July 2015 00:10

By Ruth Brennan Morrey (ruthbrennanmorrey.com)

This weekend’s race at the Ironman European Championship in Frankfurt, Germany has been a mirage in the distance for the past six months. Two years ago, my coach, Dr. Phil Skiba, and I committed to developing a first time plan to qualify for the Kona World Championship in 2015. Realizing the 2015 race date, October, 10th, happened to fall on my 40th birthday, qualification somehow felt even more urgent and special. My family has been incredibly supportive and patient in the build up and I couldn’t be more grateful. Comments such as, “Kids, let Mom sleep because she has a long run later today” and “Mom, I’ll run the last ½ mile with you” are common words of support, filling me up to the brim in my joy cup. I feel so fortunate....

Since the women’s professional race requires at least 5100 points to qualify this year, Phil and I figured competing in one of the five regional championship races (4000 points) with a good showing would be essential in order to make the cut of 35 top pro females at Kona. Having placed 2nd at Ironman Chattanooga in my debut full distance last September, we were encouraged to realize that this distance suits my strengths–more room to run!  Qualification would indeed be a hefty task but realistically possible with the right plan and execution.

I have certainly had my share of ups and downs this season with one illness at Monterrey 70.3 and a mechanical issue at St. George 70.3 to slay two races. To redeem myself, I earned a solid podium finish at Brazil 70.3 for the Latin American Championships to improve my overall KPR placing. Now, however, there is no more wiggle room for mistakes. This is IT folks. A “good showing” in Frankfurt means a top 5 finish to secure my Kona spot without having to do any other qualification races. If it doesn’t happen, I will not race another full Ironman for KPR points—my health comes first. I’ve sacrificed so much to get to this position, and my health is not something I am willing to compromise due to pro female qualification rules in which I do not agree. This will mean having a solid day with no mistakes, in somewhat treacherous heat conditions. We are all in the same boat. Now, the exhausting physical work is done, I’m injury free, and I’m hanging out in the beautiful city of Frankfurt. READ MORE