The Peak Performance gang was proud to see Heather Wurtele win the 2007 Victoria NewBalance Half Iron.  PRPP’s chief correspondent, Writerguy, caught up with Heather after the race.

Writerguy: Great Race! How did it feel to successfully defend your title from last year?

Heather: I was happy, for sure. Earlier in the week I slipped out on some gravel while riding up on Millstream Lake Rd., and ‘endoed’. Rubber side up. The road rash wasn’t too bad, but I landed pretty hard on my hip and I was worried that I might not be able to run. The daily icing routine and race-day Advil seemed to have worked (in addition to all the positive healing-vibes sent my way from friends and family!).

Writerguy: There was a chase format to the race this year, tell us a bit about that.

Heather: The swim heats went off in waves based on age and sex (based on previous years times in the given categories), and the first person to cross the line, regardless of start time, was considered the overall winner and got an extra $500!  My husband Trevor and I had a little in-family betting going on.  He came second overall in the men’s race, yay!, but didn’t  quite manage to catch me, double yay! (un-reciprocated leg massage for me!!)

It took me almost the entire bike leg to catch the first master’s woman, and then I was just running scared hoping not to hear the pitter-patter of speedy feet coming up behind me. I managed to cross the finish line about 30 seconds in front of Jonathan Caron, the first place male. Whew. I was a hurtin’ unit for the last 5k and he was catching up fast! Nice work on the heat times Normon!

Writerguy: The week previous to the NB Half, you were down in California at a One-o-One series event. What happened there?

Heather: I had a great swim, rode my way into 3^rd place, ran into second for a short while then got super dizzy, barfed, and got to go hang out in the medic tent. I think I over-heated and probably didn’t take enough electrolytes on the bike. I was pretty upset. My First DNF… and I was racing well until my brain started boiling. C’est la vie, live and learn!

Writerguy: How were the conditions for this race?

Heather: Perfect! I am all over temperatures in the high teens (^oC)! There was a nice breeze from the west so it was mostly side wind. The shaded, cool run around Elk Lake is just dreamy.

Writerguy: Was there a highlight for you?

Heather: In last year’s race I had the fastest bike split, and I considered cycling my strength. I was bummed that I was off the fastest split by 40 sec this year, and I didn’t even think to look at the swim and run times. Turned out that I had the second fastest swim and the fastest run, and I improved both times over 2 minutes from last year! I was super happy about that. PRPP has totally helped me become a TRIathlete.

Writerguy: I understand that you have a bit of a special connection to this race?

Heather: The NB Victoria Half Iron was the first triathlon I ever did (well, not counting a UBC sprint in 2004) and it was the first triathlon I ever won. Now it’s the first race I’ve won twice! But that is not what makes it my favourite. I would love it regardless of results. The course is fantastic, the race organization top notch. The volunteers are my heroes. Norman Thibault and his crew seem to have perfected that unique Vancouver Island quality of being outwardly laid-back, yet totally on top of everything. This is my first year competing as a professional triathlete, and wherever that takes me I will always think of the Victoria NB Half Iron as my starting place. 

Writerguy: So what’s next?

Heather: I am doing the Lake Stevens 70.3 on July 8^th, and focusing on Ironman Canada after that.  Going to be a fun summer!