Chris Schilling
2009 was supposed to be Chris Schilling’s year off from Ironman. Someone had other plans though, and today Chris is taking it easy after competing in the Ironman World Championships in Kona, HI.
Chris was introduced to triathlon by her sister-in-law Sue Robinson about nine and a half years ago. Sue had been tearing up the triathlon scene and convinced Chris to come swim with her (way back in the days when Britton had a pool). Swimming lead to biking and running, and Chris chose the San Jose MTB Triathlon as her first multisport race.
The Athlete
Sue Robinson passed away after a battle with ovarian cancer in September of 2006. Sue’s husband Scott called Chris up asking if she would race Ironman Arizona in Sue’s honor assuming he was able to switch the race entry in her name. Chris agreed, and in April of 2007 she completed the race in a solid 12:59:20. Officially bitten by the Ironman bug, Chris completed the 2008 Ironman Coeur d’Alene in 12:14:10.
Content in her long course accomplishments for the time being, Chris entered the 2009 Kona lottery but focused her training on shorter races, like the Oceanside 70.3, Wildflower Long Course, and the Escape from Alcatraz Triathlon. Her season took a drastic detour on Easter weekend with the information that she was one of 150 people in the country to win a lottery slot to the 2009 Ironman World Championships. Giddy with excitement, Chris started training for Kona, a race her sister-in-law Sue had done twice.
Chris completed an unusually hot race in the famed lava fields of Kona with a strong 12:41:27, with her immediate family on the sidelines and many more friends and family cheering from their homes. When asked, Chris attributes her success in training and racing to the unbelievable support of her family, and the huge network of friends and training partners she has in the area, who support her and push her, every step of the way.
Chris will toe the start line again at the Ironman California 70.3 and the inaugural Ironman St. George in 2010.
Congratulations and good luck next year!
CCTC