14 Years of Triathlon… and Somehow I’m Still Doing This Crazy Sport 😂

This year, my plans changed A LOT. I ended up doing Augusta 70.3 almost by coincidence, and I’m honestly so glad I did.

When I started triathlon in 2012, I called it a “hobby,” but my real purpose was mental health: to stay active, focused, and connected to something bigger than just the physical part.

Along the way, I was lucky enough to meet my incredible Team Athletic Mentors and Coach Mark Olson, who has helped me stay focused and accountable.

One of Mark’s most valuable qualities, in my opinion, is his ability to focus on the work without unnecessary BS. 😂 He hates wasted time, gossip and wasted energy. Honestly, that kind of mindset is rare.

The funny thing is, that has always been my mindset too, even since I was a kid. I’ve never been very good at pretending to care about things that don’t matter to me. 😂 I’d rather focus on the work, solve the problem, keep moving, and spend my energy where it actually matters.

So I appreciate that quality in Mark more than he probably realizes. Sometimes you just need someone who says, “Focus on the work. Keep moving.”

Over these 14 years, there have been plenty of moments that could have made me quit. Times when training wasn’t fun, things were tough, life didn’t feel beautiful, I didn’t have the “right” equipment, or I didn’t have the support I needed.

But I kept going.

Not because it was always easy or because I was always motivated, but because somewhere along the way, I learned that continuing, even when it isn’t fun, is part of the process.

My kind of pre-race chaos. Everything I need is laid out so I don’t forget a thing on race morning. Nutrition is already packed in other bag.

🏊‍♀️ Swim: The swim was a 1.2-mile, point-to-point down-river swim in the Savannah River. It is widely considered one of the fastest and most beginner-friendly swim courses in the entire IRONMAN circuit, thanks to its strong, current-assisted flow. The swim was wetsuit legal, and athletes were starting about three seconds apart, which made the start feel very continuous and fast-paced. I chose the fastest wave. I felt very comfortable from the beginning, quickly settled into the water, and really enjoyed the swim. The current definitely helped, but I still felt strong and controlled throughout the entire course.
🚴‍♀️ Bike: The bike course is a single-loop, 56-mile route that starts at the downtown transition lot and winds through the scenic Georgia backcountry. While often considered a fast course, it features rolling hills and several distinct challenges that require strategic pacing.

I had done a full bike tune-up before the race, and I was so happy I did. After dealing with some bike issues at previous events, having a completely problem-free ride felt amazing.

My main goal for the bike was nutrition, so I focused on following the plan I had practiced in training. I used 100% natural gels and CarboMax mixed with water, making sure I stayed on top of my fueling throughout the ride rather than waiting until I felt hungry or depleted.

I didn’t push hard. I raced at the same effort I had trained at all year; comfortably hard, but never pushing to the limit. It felt controlled, relaxed, and enjoyable. The combination of consistent fueling, controlled effort, and a problem-free bike made the entire 56 miles feel smooth and very manageable.

🏃‍♀️ Run: The Run is a single-loop, 13.1-mile route that is especially unique because it crosses state lines. The course takes athletes out of downtown Augusta, Georgia, across the Savannah River, and onto a heavily shaded green way in South Carolina before returning to a high-energy finish.

The run had aid stations about every mile, plenty of shade, and a really nice environment, which made it much more enjoyable. I wasn’t in a “let’s destroy myself” racing mood that day. 😂 I kept things comfortable at first and focused on enjoying the experience rather than forcing the pace.

I settled into the run, took advantage of the shade and aid stations, and simply enjoyed being out there. Sometimes a race doesn’t have to be about suffering from the first mile; it can also be about staying present, having fun, and seeing what you have left later.

Then came one of my favorite moments. The athlete running next to me miles1-2 told me she was in my age group. I basically thought, “Hey girl, I just want to enjoy this. I’m not really in fighting mode today.” 😂

Eventually, I decided to pick it up and see what I had left.

And somehow, after everything, I still finished Top 5 in my age group.

But the result wasn’t the most important part.

My daughter, Chantal, was there. We drove together, took turns behind the wheel, listened to music, ate good food, laughed, talked, and made memories I’ll carry with me for a long time. She took some very nice pictures and at the finish, she handed me a flag. 🇩🇴❤️‍🔥🇺🇲

That moment meant more than any number on the results sheet.

After 14 years, I’m still here. Learning. Moving. Grateful.

Maybe this year didn’t go exactly as planned.

Maybe it went exactly the way I needed it to. ❤️