White Lake International Triathlon: Race Review

Turning Lessons into Wins

After a humbling race at the 2025 USA Triathlon Age Group Nationals in Milwaukee, I came into the White Lake International Triathlon with a fresh mindset and a plan to race smarter, not harder.

Milwaukee taught me some tough but valuable lessons: how to adapt to unpredictable conditions, hydrate properly, and, most importantly, race with joy instead of pressure. I was determined to put all of that into practice here at White Lake — and it worked. I finished 1st in my age group and 4th woman overall. 🙌

Pre-Race Prep: Setting Intentions

In Milwaukee, I let my expectations weigh me down. This time, my approach was different:

• Control what I can → Focus on my preparation, pacing, and mindset.

• Stay adaptable → Be ready to adjust strategy if conditions changed.

• Have fun → Remember why I started this sport in the first place.

  
  

White Lake is known for its crystal-clear spring-fed lake, fast bike course, and flat run, but it can also get hot and windy. Armed with my Milwaukee lessons, I prepped for hydration, fueling, and flexibility.

Race Day Recap

Swim — 1500m 🏊‍♀️

White Lake was 77 degrees, so just barely wetsuit legal. I decided to still go with a wetsuit to give me extra practice with it. I got a little too warm, but I focused on settling into a smooth rhythm early, so coming out of the water, I felt strong and confident.

Bike — 28 Miles 🚴‍♀️

Here’s where Milwaukee’s lessons really kicked in. I kept my effort steady but controlled, avoided burning matches too early, and stayed mindful of the wind. I also executed my hydration & nutrition plan much better this time, all setting me up well for the run.

Run — 10K 🏃‍♀️

By the time I hit the run, I made sure I still had some left in the tank. In Milwaukee, I overheated and ran out of steam; here, I paced consistently and made sure to stay ahead of the heat.

Results 🏅

• 1st Place — Age Group 🎉

• 4th Woman Overall 🚀

• Most importantly: I had fun

  
  

Lessons Reinforced

Milwaukee taught me what can go wrong. White Lake reminded me how to make things go right:

• Adapt to Conditions → I came ready for wind and heat but stayed calm when they weren’t as extreme.

• Hydrate Smartly → Executed my fueling plan flawlessly.

• Race Happy, Not Heavy → When I let go of expectations, I performed my best.

  
  

Final Thoughts

This race was more than just a result — it was a reminder of why I love this sport. Triathlon isn’t about perfect days; it’s about growth, resilience, and trusting yourself. I didn’t rest for this race, so it wasn’t my fastest by any means, but was the good practice I needed before heading into the final race of my season.

White Lake showed me that every tough race can become a stepping stone to something better. Nationals may have humbled me, but it made this victory even sweeter.