Tri-athlete to compete in Hawaii

“The day of the race it was 100 degrees and we had one of the highest percentages of DNF, did not finish, ever.”

By Tyson Lynn

For the Beacon

“The race starts with 2,000 plus swimmers taking off from the beach on a 2.4 mile swim. The next leg is a 112-mile bike ride, done in two laps of 56 miles, and the race finishes with a 26.2 mile run, a marathon, to the finish line.”

Lisa Walker has the hint of a smile around her face as she lays out the numbers. What she’s describing is a typical Ironman Competition, much like the one she competed in at Coeur d’Alene last month. Of course, very little about an Ironman is typical, including Walker herself.

45 years old and a mother of two, Walker trains for the Ironman fourteen hours a week, 52 weeks a year.

“I’ve been doing this for 10 years,” says Walker. “I have a world champion duathlete--in running and biking--help train me. The trick is to lose junk miles, the miles that don’t do anything for you. The only time my schedule changes is three weeks before an event, when I taper off. That way the body can heal, and you don’t ruin your chances.”

And at Coeur d’Alene, Walker needed every chance she got.

“The day of the race it was 100 degrees and we had one of the highest percentages of DNF, did not finish, ever. Plus, we didn’t know how many qualifying spots there would be [for the World Championship in Hawaii], so I knew I had to go for first if it was going to happen.”

In addition to the heat, Walker also had to face strong head winds, a failing bike computer and chain, and physical exhaustion.

“There were parts that were rough,” says Walker. “You have to dig deep. Those were the times I spent with my spiritual side.

Relying not only on herself and her family, Walker also looked to others for inspiration.

“One of the people who inspired me was a nun, Sister Madonna. She had competed in 31 Ironman competitions, and was, at 91, the oldest competitor in the race. She was amazing.

“There was also another competitor, Captain David Rozelle. It was his first Ironman. He lost his foot in Iraq and then went back on active duty. He finished under 14 hours, with only the use of one leg. He was a total hero.

“They’re the ones that inspire. I’ve met tri-athletes over the years. There’s a look in their eyes that I can’t explain when it comes to this competition. It’s not a race you can do on your own. You need friends. You need family.”

Other things that you might need to complete an Ironman, especially if you don’t want to risk irreparably damaging your body: doctors (Walker has two: Dr. Maurer and Dr. Bramwell), a physical therapist (Walker uses Waterfront Sports), and maybe a sponsor (Walker contracts with Leschi-based company Triumph Multi-sport).

Although competitors are allowed seventeen hours to finish an Ironman, it took Walker only eleven hours and fifteen minutes to cross the finish line and finish first in her age group.

“It’s an amazing feeling crossing the finish line,” says Walker. “Like giving birth. It took nine months of work to get to this one point, but I’m happy. I qualified for the Boston Marathon after racing for seven hours. We figured out later I was moving at 18-19 miles an hour overall. It was a perfect race, the easiest day ever.”

            By placing first in the 45-49 year old age group, Walker secured her slot in the World Championship Ironman Competition held in Hawaii.

“When I came back, my friends had decorated the outside of my house with tiki torches and leis and flowers,” remembers Walker.

            Now the only thing that stands between her and Hawaii is a couple of short warm-up runs and time.

“After I compete at Hawaii, I probably won’t again for a few years,” says Walker. “The race takes a lot of effort emotionally and physically. I want to keep my body in good shape and really respect the requirements of the event.”

As for her goals for the event, Walker is modest.

“I’ll be thrilled to finish, excited to be in the top ten, jumping up and down to be in the top five.”

            It’s approximately three months until Walker pits herself against the world’s best, but if she’s worried, she doesn’t show it.            

“It’s easy to succeed,” says Walker as she leans forward in her chair. “Follow your heart, find something you love to do and it’s hard not to do your best.”