Alisha finished a strong 2nd last weekend at the Asheville Citizen-Times Half Marathon, completing the hilly 13.1 mile course in 1:24:15. She only came in behind Raleigh runner Tara Wojciechowski out of the 230 woman field. It was a tough race, especially being so close to the finish of Alisha’s Half Ironman just six days prior. Showing her strength and stamina to gut a race out, Alisha finished a solid and challenging run.
Running for the glory
Elite runners prepare for half-marathon
by By Lindsay Nash, LNASH@CITIZEN-TIMES.COM
published September 12, 2006 12:15 am
ASHEVILLE Professional cyclist Alisha Lion is quickly proving she is just as fast on her feet as she is on her bike.
The 25-year-old Holly Springs cyclist has exploded into Asheville’s running scene out of the blue, winning the rainy Bele Chere 5K women’s race in July and last month’s grueling Springmaid Splash 10K, stunning competitors as she beat former race champ and ultrarunner Anne Lundblad.
And now, she has her sights set on Saturday’s Asheville Citizen-Times Half Marathon.
In her first triathlon in over 3 years, and the first Half Ironman of her career, Alisha showed she’s a triple threat, finishing the Duke Liver Center Half Ironman in an impressive 4:42:30, good enough for second place, just 1:26 behind Kristin Price. The race was a grueling event, starting with a 1.2 mile swim through Lake Jordan, a few miles southwest of Raleigh, followed by a windy 56 mile bike ride, and finishing with a punishing 13.1 mile run through the New Hope Overlook Park.
Alisha paced herself well in order to ensure a strong finishing run, the leg of the race that can make or break an athlete. Having concentrated her training on the bike and run, Alisha came out of the water over 5 minutes behind the top Elite Women. She gave a strong and steady effort on the bike, reeling in all but three of the women, and started the half marathon 3 minutes behind the leading group. Her steady bike pacing paid off, as Alisha easily made up the 3 minute deficit within the first few miles of the race, and by the halfway mark of the run Alisha was the race leader.
Former NCAA 10k National Champion and multiple NC State XC and Track All-American Kristin Price was hot on Alisha’s heels, however, and overtook her by in the run by mile 9. The two ran together and pushed eachother to the finish. Alisha finished just under 1.5 minutes behind Kristin, but almost 7.5 minutes ahead of 3rd place finisher, Stacey Richardson.
Alisha was pleased with her overall effort and has learned a lot from her first endurance triathlon as she prepares for bigger and harder races next season. She will waste no time getting back to competition, however, with both the Asheville Half Marathon and the Bridge To Bridge Century bike ride coming up next weekend. Alisha will also compete in the Big Lick Triathlon in Roanoke, VA and the Wilmington YMCA Triathlon by the end of September.
- 1.2mi Swim - 35:29 (15th)
- 56mi Bike - 2:34:40 (3rd)
- 13.1mi Run - 1:30:15 (3rd)
- Overall - 4:42:30 (2nd)
One day after tearing up the course at the 10k Springmaid Splash Trail Run, Alisha was back in the saddle riding through the mountains in the Hilly Hellacious Hundred, out of Fletcher, NC. The Hilly is a challenging century through the Appalachain Mountains in Western North Carolina. Alisha was the lone woman riding in the front of the group all day with the top men. She completed the tough ride in 4:45, easily the first woman finisher and just minutes behind elite male rider Justin England. Alisha was using this weekend’s run and ride as preparation for her next big challenge, the Duke Half-Ironman triathlon.
Alisha showed that Lions aren’t afriad of water in the Springmaid Splash 10k trail run in Spruce Pine, North Carolina.
500+ runners showed up for the gruelling event. With 4 river crossings, very technical trails, lots of leg-burning climbs and steep descents all participants were in for a true test of guts.
Alisha broke the course record of 52:43 previously held by well-known trail runner Anne Lundblad with a ’splashing’ 44:32.
“I just tried not to drown in the water! I was so scared of falling… the first water crossing was the scariest because all of the guys were just plowing through with no fear. I couldn’t see the bottom but I just did the best I could to stay with the front guys,” Alisha said after crossing the finish line.
Event organizers provided music and food for all racers to enjoy after the event. There was also a walk and 5k run option for those who didn’t want to endure the 10k. The Springmaid Splash offered a great challenging race for all who entered!
September 10 Update:
