There’s something about endurance sports that gets into your soul. After finishing Ironman Kona and Ironman Wisconsin 210.9, I thought maybe… just maybe… I’d step back. That I could hang up the long-course triathlon hat for a while, focus on other adventures, and let that chapter close for now.
But here I am, months later, still waking up thinking about the rhythm of the swim, the power in my pedal stroke, and the quiet battle of the run. I love this sport. I love the distance. I love what it demands—and what it gives in return. There’s something incredibly addictive about feeling fast on the bike, efficient in the water, and mentally sharp enough to hold yourself together when everything in your body is begging you to stop.
Truth is, I can’t let it go. It’s not just about racing anymore—"it's who I am."
Recently, I found myself “accidentally” clicking around the Ironman website (you know how that goes…) and ended up on the registration page for Ironman Lake Placid. It’s been on my radar for years. I almost signed up back in 2018 when it was around $600. Fast forward to today, and it’s $875. Wowza. But you know what? I still want it. I still want this.
I asked my kids if they’d be interested in going to Lake Placid with me if I decided to race. Without hesitation, both said yes. That’s when I told them: “If you’re coming with me, I want you to do a little research. Write down five things you’ve learned about Lake Placid and what you’d like to do while I’m racing.”
Within an hour, my daughter Elsie handed me her list.
Cue the tears.
That’s when I realized—this sport has become a family journey. My races aren’t just mine anymore; they’ve become opportunities for learning, exploring, bonding, and creating lifelong memories. They’ve grown up watching me race, watching me fail, watching me have injuries, watching me succeed, and seeing firsthand what grit really looks like.
This year, I’ve taken a break from full-distance Ironman. I’ve poured energy into other goals, including 50-mile ultramarathon coming up this October. But the truth is… the fire hasn’t gone out. If anything, it’s burning brighter.
Maybe this is my sign. Maybe Lake Placid is the next chapter. Maybe I’m not done yet.
So here I am. Dreaming. Planning. Believing.
Because this life is meant to be lived with passion—and for me, that means more starting lines, more finish lines, and more moments shared with the people I love.
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#DreamBigRaceHard
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#FromKonaToPlacid
#KeepShowingUp
and maybe I want to do a plankstar on the "Rock"