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Making the jump from a spin bike to a true smart trainer is a big shift—and honestly, I wasn’t sure what to expect. I’ve always used a Peloton for indoor riding. It’s easy, convenient, and a great workout (I love me some Matt Wilpers). But stepping into the world of Zwift + a smart trainer felt like entering a completely different side of cycling—and triathlon training. Here’s my honest review after getting started with the Wahoo KICKR CORE 2 Trainer . 🚴‍♀️ The Setup: More

Some races are the big goals you train months for. Others are just for fun or practice, fit into the middle of a training block, and sometimes end up being surprisingly memorable. The YMCA Charlotte Corporate Cup was one of those races for me this year — a fun, community-focused event that turned into a special day for a few unexpected reasons. A Team Win for Duke Energy One of the coolest parts of this race is that it’s not just about individual results. The event is design

For a long time, I believed progress came from stacking hard days. More intensity. More volume. More grit. And for a while, it worked. Until it didn’t. Recently, I hit a rut in my training — not because I wasn’t working hard enough, but because I was working hard all the time . I overloaded the hard sessions and blurred the line on easy days. Recovery quietly disappeared, and so did the sharpness in my performance. That experience reminded me of something simple but easy to i

If you’re a triathlete, there’s a good chance your training doesn’t feel “official” until it’s uploaded. Strava has become part training log, part community hub, and part motivation engine. It’s fun to see what your friends are doing, celebrate milestones, and give out kudos like high-fives across the internet. But there’s another side to it — one that can quietly chip away at confidence, perspective, and even performance. Let’s talk about it. The Good: Why Athletes Love It T

There’s a moment in almost every race or training session — maybe right before the start, maybe halfway through the bike, maybe at the first really painful mile of the run — where your brain asks: Do I really want this? In the book How Bad Do You Want It?: Mastering the Psychology of Mind Over Muscle , Fitzgerald explores how elite athletes use anticipatory attitudes — the expectations we hold before effort or adversity — to shape performance and handle pain. And the really

Training for triathlon is often described as stress relief — and in many ways, it is. Movement helps clear the mind, burn off nervous energy, and create structure. But training is also a form of stress on the body, especially when combined with work, relationships, travel, and everyday responsibilities. Learning how to manage stress and anxiety — both inside and outside of training — isn’t just about feeling better. It directly impacts sleep, recovery, and performance. Traini

In triathlon, nutrition is often called the fourth discipline — and for good reason. You can be fit, consistent, and prepared, but without proper fueling, performance and enjoyment suffer quickly. This post is meant to cover nutrition basics with practical amounts to help you get started. I’m not a registered dietitian or nutrition professional — I’m an amateur triathlete sharing what I’ve learned through training, racing, and plenty of trial and error. Nutrition is individ

If you train long enough, injuries become part of the conversation — not because you did something wrong, but because triathlon asks a lot of the body. I personally go to a chiropractor every week, and still have things pop up each season. Learning how to approach injuries calmly and intentionally has been one of the most important skills I’ve developed as a triathlete. Not avoiding them entirely — but responding better when they show up. Note: This is geared towards minor i

Spring racing always feels like a reset button to start your season, and last year’s AlphaWin Triathlon in Napa delivered exactly that. Set in the heart of wine country, this race combined a challenging, honest course with a calm-but-focused early-season energy. I competed in the Olympic distance, but this race offered distances ranging from super-sprint to 70.3. This was my first race of the year, and it ended up being a great test of fitness, execution, and mindset heading

One of the biggest mistakes amateur triathletes make isn’t in training — it’s in planning. It’s easy to get excited and sign up for everything . A local race pops up. A friend is racing. The calendar fills quickly. Suddenly, you’re racing every few weeks and wondering why you feel flat, injured, or burned out by mid-season. That’s where A, B, and C race prioritization comes in. This approach helps you race more intentionally, train more effectively, and show up ready when i

A new year brings fresh motivation. New goals. New training plans. New possibilities. But before jumping headfirst into structured workouts and race registrations, this is your reminder to pause — just for a moment. The most successful triathlon seasons don’t start with intensity. They start with intention. Reset: Let Go of Last Season Whether last year ended with PRs, podiums, or disappointment, it’s important to reset before moving forward. A reset doesn’t mean forgetting w

This time of year naturally invites us to pause. The races are done, training volume has eased, and the calendar gives us a rare opportunity to step back and look at the bigger picture. Reflection doesn’t mean dwelling on what went wrong — it means honoring what you showed up for. It’s about recognizing the early mornings you chose consistency, the workouts you completed when motivation was low, and the courage it took to even stand on a start line. Every season, no matter ho

One of the biggest misconceptions about starting triathlon is that you need endless hours each week to train (unless you’re doing long course races). For most of us, that’s just not reality. We’re working full-time jobs, managing relationships, traveling, socializing, and trying to have a life somewhere in the middle of it all. So the real challenge isn’t the training itself — it’s fitting that training into a very full life. Over the years, I’ve learned that triathlon can a

How I learned to stop skipping rest days — and actually got faster. If you’re anything like me, rest days used to feel… uncomfortable. Almost guilty. I’d look at my training plan, see a blank square, and immediately think: Maybe I should just squeeze in an easy run or I can at least hop on the bike for 30 minutes. For a long time, I equated training harder with racing faster — and I learned the hard way that it doesn’t work like that. After dealing with some burnout earlier

Black Friday is (basically) here — and for triathletes, that means it’s the perfect time to grab gear and upgrades for next season. I wanted to provide an easy shortlist of some deals this week (no affiliate links - just a straightforward list!). I know I am missing a lot of deals / brands, but didn’t want to overwhelm. Whether you’re shopping for foundational gear or nice upgrades, I hope you can find something for you. 🎯 Swim, Bike, Run & Triathlon Gear Deals You Should K

There’s something magical about the off-season. The pressure fades, the training shifts, and suddenly—there’s space to think again. After an intense 2025 filled with highs, lows, surprise races, and big lessons learned, I’m finally sitting down to plan my 2026 race season . If you're planning your own upcoming season, here’s how I’m structuring my 2026 goals—and how you can build yours with purpose, confidence, and clarity. Why Goal Setting Matters for Triathletes You don’t w

After wrapping up the World Championships in Wollongong, I was convinced my 2025 triathlon season was officially over. My body was tired, my mind was ready for rest, and I had already started mentally shifting into the off-season. But then, as the post-race glow (and fatigue) started to fade, I came across something that immediately sparked my competitive drive again — the Sun Devil Classic in Arizona. It wasn’t just another local race. This event turned out to be a last-cha

When temperatures drop and daylight disappears before dinner, outdoor training starts to feel a lot less inviting. But winter doesn’t have to mean losing fitness or motivation — it’s the perfect time to shift your focus, build strength, and work on the fundamentals that will pay off when race season returns. Whether you’re training for your first sprint triathlon or preparing for a full season ahead, having a solid indoor setup can make all the difference. Here’s what to cons

As triathlon season winds down and the race medals are hung, there’s a collective sigh of relief among athletes everywhere — and maybe a twinge of uncertainty, too. After months of structured training, early mornings, and weekends dictated by long rides or brick workouts, the off-season can feel… a little strange. But here’s the truth: the off-season isn’t a step back. It’s an essential part of becoming a stronger, healthier, and more balanced athlete. This is where growth h

Last week, I had the incredible opportunity to represent Team USA at the Age Group Triathlon World Championships in Wollongong, Australia — and what an unforgettable week it was. From the Parade of Nations to the Opening Ceremony , to racing both the Standard and Sprint events, the energy, pride, and camaraderie were unlike anything I’ve experienced before. A Week to Remember The week kicked off with the Parade of Nations , where athletes from around the world gathered to