It might have been like Ali-Frasier 2 or 3.

But when last year's Ironman Hawaii runner-up Samantha McGlone declared last week she has been sidelined by an Achilles injury, the much anticipated rematch at Kona with fellow 2007 rookie and Ironman champion Chrissie Wellington was off.

"I've had this Achilles problem on and off for the last 18 months," said McGlone from her new home in Tucson, Arizona. "I thought I was managing it, but in late July it got so bad I wasn't able to run. At all. With three weeks to go and I'm not able to run for 20 minutes, my Achilles made my decision for me."

It might not have been the knife like pain that came later, but for anyone who has followed the 2006 Ironman 70.3 World Champion’s career, her splits at Vineman 70.3 on July 20 were an ominous signpost.

Back at her peak in July of 2007, McGlone set a record at Vineman 70.3 with a 4:16:36 finish that put her five minutes ahead of Michellie Jones. (Ironically, Jones pulled out of the 2008 edition of Kona with an Achilles injury last week as well.) McGlone’s run split was a sizzling 1:21:42. This year, McGlone finished in 4:24:08, five minutes back of Joanna Zeiger with a run split four minutes slower than last year.

"My run was definitely a bit off," said McGlone. "I could not push off properly. I could not run with my usual form and it was an indicator I was off."

McGlone is maintaining a stoic front, but admits the real pain is to her competitor’s heart. "It's very frustrating, the worst timing," said McGlone. "I was devastated that I am not able to race at Kona this year."

With a week’s perspective, McGlone is stating to be philosophical about it. "Realistically, I've spent 10 years in the sport without missing a race due to injury or illness," she said. "I've been lucky. That's a pretty damn good record for a triathlete. I figure it's just my turn. I think it's a thing that needs to be dealt with."

McGlone spent all of August and part of September resting, testing and futilely wishing it would go away. "It was really sore in the morning and when I loosened up and tried to run and push off, there was a blistering pain in one spot. I had to walk home more than once."

McGlone said today that she was awaiting results of an MRI to determine just what her treatment will be. But she remains confident she will be back in action next spring. "I've been working with Brian Dorfman, a kinesiologist in San Diego who has worked with all the top triathletes, and he seems positive we can kick this thing and sort it out."

McGlone said she is not sure whether the Achilles was ignited by increased Ironman mileage or was simply the result of accumulated stress on her foot. "It's tough to say if it was Ironman mileage, a mechanical issue or simple wear and tear," said McGlone. "If we could pinpoint it, we could probably avoid it. But even though I am young, I have been training and racing a long time and this may just be inevitable."

McGlone says she does not think it was a sudden increase in volume. "To be honest, I've had pretty similar volume to last year. I did a couple of 70.3s (she won Wildflower in near record time, took Ironman 70.3 Hawaii and Kansas 70.3 before her third place at Vineman 70.3). Some Olympic distance events, I had not started my a big run buildup. It's just been an ongoing thing which I had been able to manage – until now."

McGlone admits it will be hard to watch Wellington. "I'm a racer," she said. "To not be there on the start line will be hard for me. I've been waiting since last October to have another crack at Kona. It will be hard to sit there on the sidelines. But I plan to go and learn some more. But I am young in endurance sport and I will have years to have a great race in Kona."

Adopting patience is the only wise course, but each missed opportunity at triathlon's Holy Grail must hit hard. After all, Natascha Badmann might have been in the best shape of her life last year at age 40 and promised to give Wellington a shot across the bow on behalf of the old guard. Then a horrible crash just 12 miles into the bike required two operations of the Swiss champion and extensive rehab. Badmann will make a courageous start for the race she loves like no other, but she has only been able to swim with a freestyle stroke just a month ago and has not yet been able to fit her broken rubs and clavicle into her radically aero Cheetah yet.

As for the 2006 champion, Michellie Jones is nearing 40 and should be at the peak of her enduring powers. But for the second year in a row, she won't have a shot at Kona. Last year it was an ear infection. This year it's an Achilles achingly similar to McGlone's injury.

When an acquaintance offered condolences and commiseration at Interbike, the Empress Jones took her bad luck in stride. "That's just the nature of our sport," said Jones.


All pics © Timothy Carlson