First Endurance triathletes Heather Gollnick and Michael Lovato became the US Pro National Champions at the 2008 Ironman Couer D’Alene Ironman last weekend.  Michael and Heather were the top US men’s and women’s finishers in their races, earning them the US Pro National Championship honor. 

In the men’s race, Lovato was six-minutes down to Canadian Tom Evans going into the run.  In the first six miles of the run Lovato was able to cut that deficit in half.  His stomach then seized up which caused him to slow down his pace and his chance at the overall title.  ”I felt as strong as I have ever felt going into this race.   I am proud of my 3rd place finish at Couer D’Alene over a very talented field.   I’m embarrassed to say that on race day I made a rookie mistake that may have cost me a higher finish.” explains Lovato who was outrunning the eventual winner Tom Evans.   ” All winter and Spring I used EFS drinks and the new liquid shots and had great success.  My training proved the electrolyte profile in these products is exactly what I need.  On race day, I fell back on my old crutch thinking that I needed extra electrolyte pills. I took extra pills all through the bike and came to find that I got too many electrolytes.  Towards the end of the run, my digestive system was completely backed up.”   explained Lovato “Had I stayed with just EFS, this would not have happened.”

In the women’s race, Canadian Pro Heather Wurtel put together the race of her life.  She lead the race from start to finish and was never really threatened.   Gollnick, who has raced in three 70.3 and two Ironmans already this season posted a solid swim, bike and run to come in 2nd overall. ”I am extremely pleased with the First Endurance System.  Without these products I would not be able to race at this elite level so many times throughout the year.”