New mother Ritzenhein makes her Pear debut a success

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The womenís Pear Blossom winner crosses the finish line during the 32nd annual run in downtown Medford Saturday. Mail Tribune Photo / Jamie LuschJamie Lusch

April 13, 2008

By Tim Trower

Mail Tribune

Marriage and motherhood took precedence for Kalin Ritzenhein the past couple years.

Now, just six months after giving birth to daughter Addison, the former college All-American is ramping up her running regimen again.

In only her second road race in two years, Ritzenhein pulled away inside the final mile to win the women's division of the 10-mile race in the 32nd annual Pear Blossom Run on Saturday.

The Eugene runner's time was 1 hour, 45 seconds, bettering the 1:00:56 time of Bend's Lisa Nye, a former American record-holder and national champion with whom Ritzenhein ran much of the race.

Alanna Steinert of Grants Pass was third in 1:02:30, followed by Ali Miles of Jacksonville in 1:04:19 and Cheryl Tronson of Bend in 1:05:34.

With her husband, U.S. Olympic Team marathoner Dathan, and daughter waiting at the finish line, Kalin Ritzenhein made a successful return to competition in her first venture to Southern Oregon's premier race.

"It was nice to bust the rust off the wheels," said Ritzenhein, who resumed her training just four months ago.

Ritzenhein used the Pear Blossom as a tune-up for the 25-kilometer national championships next month in Grand Rapids, Mich., her home state.

The 25-year-old starred at Colorado, where she was an All-American in cross country and competed in the NCAA Championships. Her career was dogged by injury — "You name it, I had it," she said — but that didn't prevent her from racking up a nice collection of achievements.

That said, she takes a back seat in the family when it comes to running.

It was her husband who encouraged her to enter the Pear Blossom and "get back in the swing of things," said Kalin. "He's the star of the household. This is just my hobby. I trust him and do what he says."

Dathan Ritzenhein placed second at the Olympic Marathon Trials in November to earn a berth on the U.S. team that will compete in Beijing, China, this summer. The couple moved to Eugene a year ago.

Kalin Ritzenhein and Nye left little doubt they were the ones to catch. They pulled out front early and stayed there, as befitting their stature.

"I went out a little fast," said Ritzenhein. "Fortunately, I had someone to run with, so I took advantage of that. I saved up at the end and had a strong finish."

After running the first "91/4 miles" with Nye, Ritzenhein didn't know how strong her foe was or how good of shape she was in.

She had reason to be concerned.

Nye, 39, is an alum of Mountain View High in Bend and a former Oregon runner. She's used to success, as evidenced by the American steeplechase record she held for a short period after winning the 2001 national championship. She also had runner-up finishes in the 2000 Olympic Trials and the 2002 U.S. Outdoor Championships.

"I just didn't know how much she had left in her tank or if she had been training for Boston," said Ritzenhein, referring to the Boston Marathon, which will be held in a couple of weeks. "I made sure I had enough."

She found out later Nye isn't entered in Boston.

Ritzenhein set out hoping to run a six-minute-mile pace and came close to her goal, achieving a 6:05 average.

Reach sports editor Tim Trower at 776-4479, or e-mail ttrower@mailtribune.com

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