May 7, 2025: Smashing Time Trials

I really enjoy having races on the calendar. There’s just something different about doing a race than doing the same hard effort on my own. During training, I’m always comparing the workout I’m doing to every workout I’ve ever done, and that’s a perfect recipe for never being satisfied. Races let me compare to a specific point in time and show me how far I’ve come.

Today’s time trial gave me the opportunity for a direct comparison to one-year-ago me. In April 2024, I participated in my first cycling time trial ever, and I was so intimidated. I was still pretty uncomfortable in my aero bars, didn’t quite know how to work my bike computer, and had no idea what to expect from time trialing at all. I completed the race in 38:07, so for 2025’s race I set that as my goal: Beat 38:07.

I was much more confident this year, having done the same course last year, and I knew I was stronger, but what I didn’t know was by how much. In the end, I absolutely demolished my goal! Official race time: 34:49!

I was super proud of my time, but then Matt’s text got me thinking about everything else that has improved along with my speed. Really, all those workouts I wanted to skip but didn’t, the doubts I pushed through, and the miles I’ve racked up have made me a stronger athlete — as much mentally as physically. I did a more intentional warm-up this year because now I understand just how valuable it is to have my legs firing before the start. I knew the course, so my mental fortitude was way stronger and I was able to push myself when I was getting tired. I am more confident on the bike, so I moved more smoothly through corners and got up out of the saddle to accelerate out of turns and over hills. And I rode almost the entire time in my aero bars, compared to only a third of the time last year.

This race gave me such a motivation and morale boost because I had that direct comparison that proves to me just how much all my hard work this past year has paid off. Things are looking good for 2025’s racing season…this is just the start!

April 22 – 2025 Race Schedule

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It’s always exciting when an idea turns into a concrete plan! I have officially registered for all my races for the 2025 triathlon season, and I’m pretty excited about it. I think I’ve got a lot of variety this year, which, for me, is way more fun than just doing the same type of race over and over. I don’t have concrete goals for many of these yet, so I’ll develop those as the races get closer. So long, trade show season…it’s race season!

May 7 – Karen Hornbostel Memorial Time Trial

Last year I did my first time trial bike race at this series, and I was pleasantly surprised! I definitely told Matt that I have no plans to become a time-trialer, but it was kind of fun to just give it all I’ve got on a bike without swimming first or running after. I’m much stronger this year than I was last year, and my confidence is also much higher, so I’m excited to see what I can do!

Distance: 9.6 miles

Elevation Gain: 300 feet

Goal: Beat Last Year (38:07)

May 24 – Metric Century

This is a solo ride, not an official event, but we’re definitely treating it like it’s official! Last year, I participated in the Denver Century Ride, where I completed the 50 mile course. I was very intimidated by it, but I really enjoyed how it felt like a massive group ride, rather than a race. That was my longest ride ever, and so this year we’re upping it…and “Metric Century” sounds so much cooler than “Longest Ride” or “62 Miles”.

Distance: 100 km

Elevation Gain: tbd

Goal: Finish

June 21 – Loveland Lake to Lake Triathlon

First triathlon of the season! I’ve never done this one before, but I’ve heard good things from others in my club. I am looking forward to racing in a new location, and it sounds like the atmosphere at this one is pretty chill. I’m racing the sprint distance and am hoping to put out some good speed this year. I think I can push myself on the swim and the bike for sure—though there’s some hills in there that I haven’t done before—and then I just need to keep my focus and not let my brain get the better of me on the run.

Distance: 800 yd swim | 15 mi bike | 5 km run

Elevation Gain: 575 feet

Goal: Aim For Littlefoot (1:33:24)

July 19 – Tri-Boulder

I’m back to the BBSC races in Boulder after not doing any of them last year. I’m expecting it will be really hot for this one, but I like riding this course and I am confident in the swim. The run is the really tough part for me here…it’s hot, and it’s long, and you can see forever so it never feels like you’re getting any closer to the end. I know I can do it, though, as it’s the same run as Boulder Peak, just without the soul-sapping climb of Olde Stage on the bike beforehand.

Distance: 1500 m swim | 26.4 mi bike | 10 km run

Elevation Gain: 994 feet

Goal: Don’t Walk on the Run

August 10 – ÖTILLÖ: Casco Bay

This is what it’s all about! The biggie. All roads lead to here. I’m so excited for this race because it’s unlike anything I’ve ever done. I’ve never been to Maine. I’ve never done a trail race. I’ve never done a swimrun. I’ve never run in a wetsuit. I’ve never raced a swim with paddles or shoes. And I’ve certainly never done any of those things while tethered to Stephanie! How exciting that we’ll get to experience all of these firsts together. It’s been 27 years since we met…it’s about time we went on an adventure together! 

Distance: 3230 m swim | 13.7 km run | 6 runs, 5 swims total

Elevation Gain: 367 feet

Goal: We’re Going On An Adventure!

September 6 – Littlefoot Triathlon

This is my favorite local race that closes out my summer every year. It’s practically in my backyard, it’s a short bike, and many of the people racing it have raced it for years and years. This was the first triathlon I ever completed without walking any of the run. It’s also the first triathlon where I raced my new bike with aero bars. Sometimes it’s super hot and sometimes it’s snowing. Sometimes it’s so windy that the park rangers have to kick a dozen windsurfers out so we can begin. I love everything about this race.

Distance: 750 m swim | 15 km bike | 5 km run

Elevation Gain: 456 feet

Goal: sub-1:30

April 9 – Coach Matt and I Dial in Swim Form

March 30 – Training and Racing With a Partner

March 16 – Injury Week

You know that feeling, when you’ve been sick or injured for a while and you finally feel better? That “OMG it feels so great to be healthy!” feeling? I wish I could bottle that up and call on it whenever it’s needed, because nothing feels better than that.

For the past few years I’ve been dealing with a subluxated rib problem where my ribs “get stuck” out of place for very little reasons (like emptying the washer, or stopping quickly during a run). When it first started happening, it caused me to have several days of excruciating pain, trouble breathing, and panicky nights. Now that I’m aware of the issue, though, I just grab my trusty foam roller and POP! everything is fine again. 

But this week, it was different. I thought I had torn a muscle in my shoulder. I couldn’t raise my arm above my head, sleep on my side, or hold the handlebars on my bike. I had an appointment with a doctor and set up appointments with my physical therapist so we could solve the problem. Then, Matt wondered if maybe it was related to another recent rib pop out. After a miserable night thinking I’d need to go to urgent care, I decided to give my foam roller a try, and BAM! A rib in my chest popped (very suddenly and very loudly) back into place, and the next day my pain was completely, 100% gone. 

The human body is a fascinating example of connectivity…and boy, oh boy, does it feel good to be feeling healthy again.

February 15 – Trade Show Week

February 9 – Trust Your Coach

I had a call with Matt a few days before the Valentine’s Day 4-Mile race to talk through strategy and kind of recap the previous week’s Superbowl 5K. The key takeaway this time was that I need to do a better job of warming up. I’ve never understood people who run a couple miles before racing a couple miles. It just seems so counterintuitive…won’t that suck all the energy out of me before I need it? But I was feeling good, and Matt never steers me wrong, so I went for it.

About a mile and a half of easy running. 3-4 strides at race pace. Time it all so the warm up ends about 10 minutes before the race begins; that way, my heart rate is already elevated and my muscles are warm, so my body knows it’s time to work.

You know what? It worked! Okay, okay, I’m a believer now.

January 30 – First Time Vlogger

Here we go…2025 training has begun. Somehow, I managed to convince Stephanie to join me on my adventure this year, so we’ve committed to racing Ötillö Casco Bay in August! I’ve been toying with the idea of a swimrun for the last year or so, and I always had it in my mind that Steph and I would do it together, so I’m thrilled that she said yes. Now we just need to prepare ourselves for swimming in our shoes, running in our wetsuits, and all the other craziness that goes along with a race like this.

Triathlon isn’t going anywhere, though. I’ve got some beasts to conquer this year, including my first metric century bike ride and hopefully making it through Boulder Peak Triathlon without walking up Olde Stage. Littlefoot Triathlon and the Oktoberfest relays with RMTC are on my list every year because they’re my favorite, and I love having some races that are just fun, no pressure. And in between all of this is just the always-present goal of just getting stronger one day at a time.

If you had told high school me that I’d be featured in a sports video series, I would never have believed you! And yet, here we are. Hopefully people find some value in me sharing my journey this year. I know I’ve been inspired by so many people online—both professional and amateur—and by watching their journeys. Thanks for joining me on mine!