PushMyLimits

Ironman will “change you like a remix” and then “raise you like a phoenix”! 🐦‍🔥

~ Fall Out Boy

Cliff Notes Version: I GOT to race Ironman Chattanooga on Sunday, September 28, 2025!

• I was SO READY to put my DNF at Ironman Chattanooga 2024 behind me by rising from the ashes!
• this is a one transition race
• ALL gear (bike, bike bag/gear, run bag/gear) was dropped off on Saturday
• according to IRONMAN, the water temp was 76.6F on race morning (which means not wetsuit legal, but it is a wetsuit optional race for those choosing to not be eligible for awards or a World Championship slot…I wore my Roka swim skin)
• pro men started at 7:30 am, pro women started at 7:35 am, and age group athletes started at 7:43 am
• the swim start was self seeded based on expected swim time finish with 3 athletes sent off every 4 seconds by jumping into the Tennessee River off of a floating dock that was put in the water just for this event
• the swim was a point to point downriver swim (2.4 miles downriver)
• the swim buoys were easy to see because the sunrise was behind us (Snake and Pig Basilisk Amber goggles)
• I kept my effort high in the swim
• I had a huge swim PR, which was greatly assisted by the current in the river
• there were wetsuit/swim skin strippers, but I didn’t use them
• I was fast and efficient in transition
• the bike course is about a 5 mile ride to Hwy 27 with an out and back section done 3 times on Hwy 27 before heading back to transition (approximately 5 miles back)
• there was a headwind heading out on Hwy 27 to the turnaround, but I did not think it was as bad coming from Iowa as other athletes thought. This meant we had a nice tailwind on the way back toward transition
• the road surfaces were in pretty good shape with a few minor exceptions
• there were 9 water/aid stations on the bike course
• there were a few volunteers to help change in T2
• the run course was 2 loops
• there were aid stations on the run nearly every mile with water, mortal hydration, gels, ice, bananas, grapes, Coke, etc.
• there are some SERIOUS hills on this run course

• they brought chicken broth out at dusk on the run
• I felt great on the run until about mile 17 and then my fingers, hands, face, and tongue started to feel tingly and the wheels started to fall off
• I am so proud of my execution and doing everything in my power to get to the red carpet finish line

Longer Version: I GOT to race Ironman Chattanooga on Sunday, September 28, 2025 in Chattanooga, Tennessee!

The alarm went off at 3:00 am Eastern time, which is 2:00 am on the body clock. After doing all of my morning rituals and consuming my breakfast smoothie, we made our way to the transition area. This race has parking very close to transition, which is so nice and convenient. When I got to the transition area, I loaded Moxie with my bike bottles, found out it would be a non-wetsuit swim, put my run nutrition in my run gear bag, exited the transition area to reconnect with Dad, and eventually made my way to the shuttle busses to take us to the swim start. The swim start is not spectator friendly, so this is where I parted ways from Dad. As I was sitting on the bus waiting for us to depart, my good friend, Steve, got on the bus and sat down next to me. He is such a calming presence for me before races.

On the way to the swim start, we had to stop at a railroad crossing (we were on a school bus), even though there was no train on the tracks. Unfortunately, the brakes locked up on the bus and wouldn’t release. We sat there for around 5-10 minutes while the bus driver tried to fix the problem while radioing back to base about the issue. I joked that the bus driver should turn the bus off and turn it back on just like we power off our phones and reboot them. He did just that and it worked! We were dropped off at the kybos and then had about a 1/4 mile walk to the swim start.

Steve and I arrived at the swim start at about 5:30 am, so we had plenty of time to relax, get in more calories, empty the bladder a few more times, and enjoy the morning. I ate my Bobo’s bar at 6:40, donned my swimskin, took in a package of Skratch chews at 7:30, and made my way toward the front of the swim start. Steve and I lined up before the sign for 1:00-1:05 swim time because we knew we would have a fast swim since this is a downriver swim and I wanted to get started as soon as possible + swim with strong effort as my goal was to race from start to finish.

Swim: (57:55 for 2.4 miles at 1:30/100 m average pace…8/41 F45-49, 87/298 F, 486/1344 overall)

Athletes jump feet first off the dock and into the river at the beep. I had decided ahead of time that I was going to race from start to finish, so that meant giving my best effort immediately after jumping in the river. I dialed into my mental endurance early in the swim (which I had been practicing during training)…this is where I have trained my mind to keep my effort high and my focus on my stroke. Each segment between buoys I focused on a different thought + feeling (on repeat) to get me to the next buoy. “Long, strong, pull!” “I am strong! I feel confident!” “I am powerful! I feel powerful!” “I am unstoppable! I feel determined!” “Lay this brick! Lay this brick!” “I am committed to giving my best effort!” Because this was a downriver swim, I didn’t feel contact or congestion in the water. I stayed mentally connected to the effort, focused on my form, and counted the buoys as I passed them. It was fun to swim under a few spectator lined bridges as we got closer to the swim exit. I kept swimming strong and racing all the way to the one and only turn buoy. Steve told me before the swim start to make sure to hug that turn buoy super tight so that I wouldn’t end up downriver and have to be brought back to the swim exit by volunteer kayakers, so I did just that. At the swim exit, volunteers helped me up the steps and I ran my way to the transition area to cheers from Dad, Coeur Sports teammates, and friends as I got my swim skin down around my hips while taking my goggles and swim cap off.

Gratitude moments:
1. Yay for a strong downriver current 🐦‍🔥
2. Yay for swimming on the buoys 🐦‍🔥
3. Yay for not swimming into the sun and being able to easily see the buoys 🐦‍🔥
4. Yay for staying mentally connected and keeping my effort high for the duration of the swim 🐦‍🔥
5. Yay for a new Ironman swim PR by 16:55 (thanks to that strong current) 🐦‍🔥

T1: (6:36)

I grabbed my T1 bag and went into the women’s change tent where I quickly donned my helmet, sprayed my feet with Skin Slick, slid the feet into socks and my cycling shoes, grabbed a package of Skratch chews + AltRed tabs, put my sunnies on, and ran to Moxie. Thankfully her spot was near the bike out, so I didn’t have to run far with her to get to the mount line.

Bike: (6:22:06 for 112 miles at 16.9 mph average speed…3/41 F45-49, 60/298 F, 517/1344 overall)

The bike course is about a 5 mile segment from transition to get athletes out to Hwy 27 where we did an out and back section 3x before heading back to transition. This is a fairly hilly course and we had the added “challenge” of riding into the headwind on Hwy 27 heading away from town. Once we reached the turnaround, we got to rocket back toward town thanks to the tailwind.

We basically climb right out of transition, so during the first 5 miles out to Hwy 27 I stayed connected to the pedals + my effort and reminded myself that “I am strongest in aero” and that I was out there to “race from start to finish.” I immediately began fueling + hydrating like it was my job…because let’s be honest…it was my job on this day! When I got to the turnaround area as I started heading out on Hwy 27, I saw some of my Coeur Sports teammates out cheering for us and soaked up their love + support.

For the first 1/2 ish of the 17 mile stretch to the turn around, we share the left lane of the divided highway with other athletes making their way back toward town for the turnaround, but then we cross over rumble strips to get to the right side of the divided highway and stay in the left lane all the way to the turnaround. During the last 1/2 ish of the 17 mile stretch, there is loads of traffic heading in the same direction in the right lane and we are divided by an orange cone every 20 ish feet…not the safest bike course I’ve ridden. We also encounter traffic in the right lane for the first 1/2 ish of the 17 mile stretch back toward town before merging with the athletes again.

My first trek out to the turnaround was pretty uneventful with less bike traffic as I had started near the front of the swim start. I stayed low + aero, connected to the pedals, and celebrated that I was out there doing this injury free this year! I took water at every aid station to fill my aero bottle + pour over my head to keep me cooler while drinking my Skratch High Carb + Hydration + electrolyte booster mix every 15 minutes on the bike. Part of the way out, I saw my Coeur Sports teammate + pro triathlete, Jess, making her way back to the turnaround near town, so I gave her some cheers and kept rollin’! As I passed other athletes, some of them complained about the headwind on Hwy 27, but with all of the wind training we get in Iowa, I really didn’t think the maximum sustained 10 ish mph headwind was bad. I was out there to have fun, give it all I had, and test my limits, so I kept low and powered on!

On my first trek back to the turnaround, I enjoyed the tailwind, continued to fuel and hydrate like it was my job, poured water over me at the aid stations, and felt so strong + controlled out there. As I got closer to the turnaround, I started to get passed by the pro men. Those boys fly! It was fun to get cheers from my Coeur Sports teammates again at the turnaround before heading out for lap 2.

On the second lap, I encountered a slight mechanical on the first climb. My chain was “stuck” when I shifted and wouldn’t budge while riding. I quickly stopped and got it fixed in less than 30 seconds and was back climbing again. I could feel more of that headwind on this lap, but I didn’t let it get me down. “This is uncomfortable AND I am capable.” After crossing over the rumble strips to the right side of the divided highway, I started to yo-yo with a guy who was a real jerk! It’s amazing how you can get distracted from the hills, headwind, and discomfort when you have something else to focus on. The first time this guy passed me, he cut in so close that I had to quickly brake to avoid colliding with his rear wheel. “WTF?!” Immediately after he cut me off, he coasted and let off of the pedals. I was so irritated! I fell back the required distance so I wouldn’t get a drafting penalty incase an official was nearby and then passed him back. I could feel him drafting off my rear wheel and not falling back, which gave him the advantage to have enough energy to pass me again. He did the EXACT. SAME. THING. This time I said, “asshole! If you are going to pass me, pass me like you mean it!” Another guy passed by as I was saying this and said, “WTF is he doing?!” I said, “this is the 2nd time he’s done this to me.” He shook his head and rode on. I again fell back the required distance and then passed him again because he was coasting. I continued to ride in aero because “I am strongest in aero” while he rode up on the horns of his bike the whole time. The 3rd time he passed me, he actually didn’t cut me off. By this time we were almost to the turnaround, so I stayed behind him until we got through the u-turn, then I hammered and passed him never to be seen again!

On my way back to the turnaround near town, I enjoyed more of that tailwind, got some cheers from our friend Rusty (his wife Amy was racing), and celebrated that I had made it farther this year than last year (which I figured wouldn’t be a problem since I wasn’t injured going into this year’s race)! I continued to consume my calories, cool off by dousing myself with water at the aid stations, and enjoyed the ride! I cheered for my other Coeur Sports teammates that I saw racing, which is an added bonus of racing an out-and-back course.

On my third and final lap, I saw SO. MANY. ATHLETES walking their bikes up the first big climb. My heart went out to them. Shortly after the first big climb Amy passed me. We both cheered each other on and continued to make our way out to the turnaround for the last time. I could definitely feel the fatigue from all of the climbing + headwind on this last lap, but I reminded myself that “I have been here before.” I stayed low + aero, connected to the pedals, and enjoyed the fact that I didn’t have to yo-yo with anyone this lap. “It’s working! It’s working! It’s working! Keep going!”

After the final turnaround, I hammered my way back to transition enjoying the wind at my back, continuing to fuel + hydrate like it was my job, and pouring cold water on me at the aid stations. “This is so fun!” My heart again went out to the athletes continuing to walk their bikes up that big hill as I split off and headed back to transition. I really had to pee during those last 10 miles on the bike, but decided to wait until I got back to transition to empty the bladder. I kept my focus present, my effort high, and reminded myself that “I am strongest in aero” + “I race from start to finish!” I was riding the high of being almost done with the bike all the way back to transition! 🐦‍🔥

One thing to note: if you are a person who thrives off of support + cheers from spectators on the course, this is not the course for you. After the first 5 ish miles, there are very few spectators on the course outside of the volunteers at the aid stations.

Gratitude moments:
1. Yay for my 3rd fastest IM bike split on a MUCH hillier course than the previous 2 flat courses 🐦‍🔥
2. Yay for staying mentally connected 🐦‍🔥
3. Yay for giving strong effort on the bike all day 🐦‍🔥
4. Yay for fueling like it was my job to set myself up for a strong run 🐦‍🔥

T2: (6:39)

It was great to see Dad and some friends at the dismount line! An amazing volunteer took Moxie from me shortly after I dismounted (one advantage to racing long is that volunteers put your bike back in your spot for you so you can focus on getting to the run). I grabbed my T2 bag and made my way into the change tent. I changed my socks and shoes, put on my race belt + visor, got all of my nutrition situated in the various places, and thanked the volunteer as she filled my handheld water bottle with water + filled my bandana with ice. As I was running out of the change tent, I quickly stopped to empty my bladder (boy did I REALLY have to pee 🤪). This is when I saw Steve! We briefly chatted on our way out of transition.

Run: (5:27:25 for 26.2 miles at 12:32/mile average pace…15/39 F45-49, 137/298 F, 693/1344 overall)

I was so happy to be off the bike and ready to run. My goal was to ease into the run and hold back for the first half of the run so I could set myself up for a successful second half. The run course is about a 13 mile section that is done 2 times before heading to the finish shoot. We start by climbing a decent hill out of transition where I saw my Coeur Sports teammates who told me I was in 3rd place in my age group off the bike! WHAT?!?! I was so excited, but knew that a marathon is a LOOONG way to go and that anything can happen, so I reminded myself to remain calm and to “stay present” in the mile I was in, take in water, stay as cool as possible (ice down the sports bra + in the bandana for the back side at every aid station), water on the Omius visor, take in my Skratch chews every 2 miles, take in my Skratch electrolyte booster every 3 miles, and “trust the back 1/2” by remaining calm and steady in these first miles.

The first 4 ish miles are on a road with very little shade, but thankfully that headwind we experienced on the bike was blessing us with a little kiss on the run. By this point, the temps had climbed to the upper 80s (I believe the high temp was 88F, but it felt warmer with the humidity), so staying as cool as possible was a must. I felt really strong and controlled. At the Burger King, we turned left and ran down to the riverwalk. This section of road is very broken, so it was important to pay close attention so as not to roll an ankle. Once on the riverwalk, the running surface was great with lots of shade. I continued to focus on getting in my nutrition + hydration, water on my head + ice for cooling, staying steady + strong, and reminding myself to “trust the back 1/2!” Somewhere around mile 8, there is a very steep hill (short, but steep), where I saw Kory and Robert. As I took in my Skratch chews, they informed me that I was solidly in 4th place in my age group. I reminded myself to “stay in my lane” and “trust the back 1/2”. Shortly after this, I saw Dad and a crowd of people before heading across the river to what would turn out to be the hilliest part of the course. It was beautiful, but it was also VERY up and very down! I kept taking in my calories + hydration, keeping cool, staying mentally connected, and focusing on the mile I was in. After crossing back over the river, I made my way to the turnaround to head out and do it all again.

Shortly after starting the 2nd loop, I saw my Coeur Sports teammates who told me I was solidly in 4th place in my age group. Staying within myself and my plan was working, so I reminded myself that “It’s working! It’s working! It’s working! Keep going!” I kept doing what I did for the entire first half of the marathon…taking in nutrition + hydration, staying cool, staying mentally connected, and focusing on the mile I was in. Thankfully that 4 mile stretch along the road was getting some shade as the sun was setting and we still had that gentle headwind giving us a kiss to help keep us cool. Somewhere in that 4 mile stretch I saw Denise, one of my Coeur Sports teammates. She was really struggling, so I walked with her for a little bit, talking with her, giving her some extra Skratch electrolyte booster, and encouraging her to keep going. I got back into my groove, turned at the Burger King onto the very crumbly road surface, and then got onto the riverwalk. I continued to feel strong and in control until about mile 17. This is where my fingers, hands, face, and tongue started to get tingly. I took this as a sign to take in more Skratch electrolyte booster (salt) + calories and I also decided to take in Coca-Cola for some caffeine (which really messes with my HR, but I figured this late in the race, I would work with it). I kept doing everything I could to finish strong + controlled despite the tingly feeling. It got really dark in the miles on the other side of the river, so I was incredibly grateful to get back to the bridge and cross the river. This time instead of having to turnaround, I was able to run straight down the hill to the red carpet finish line.

Gratitude moments:
1. Yay for staying present in the mile I was in and “trusting the back 1/2 of my run” 🐦‍🔥
2. Yay for having Dad + Coeur Sports teammates out on the course cheering 🐦‍🔥
3. Yay for making “in the moment decisions” to help me continue to move forward 🐦‍🔥
4. Yay for making it to the red carpet finish line and “erasing” my IMChatt DNF from last year 🐦‍🔥

Overall: (13:00:39…7/39 F45-49, 85/298 F, 563/1344 overall)

In the journey of Ironman, I have learned to have a healthy respect for the distance, the challenges I will face both in training and racing, and the uncertainty that can come on race day. It is always a privilege to get to toe the start line, challenge myself throughout the day, sit in the uncomfortable moments, and get to that red carpet finish line! Getting to that red carpet on this day took grit, resilience, determination, strength, perseverance, courage, control, and so much more. My unfinished business at Ironman Chattanooga last year had me more focused and determined than ever to rise from the ashes this year! As I ran down the red carpet into the blinding spotlights with the cheers from family, friends, and random strangers surrounding me, I was so grateful, proud, and excited about what I had just accomplished. I am so grateful for the privilege to run down another red carpet, rise from the ashes to conquer IM Chatt, and cross the finish line of IRONMAN #12. I am grateful for a strong body and an even stronger mind. I am so proud of my determination to rise to the challenges that were thrown my way throughout the day and get to that red carpet finish line! I have lots of things to celebrate, lots of learnings to carry with me into future racing (oh…that tingly feeling was likely due to a lack of calcium, so I need to take in Tums to get more calcium next time…lesson learned from Billy my paramedic in the medical tent post race 🤷🏻‍♀️), and so much gratitude for all of the progress made in this sport. Crossing the IRONMAN finish line is always a privilege and one I NEVER take for granted! The only guarantee on race day is that Ironman will “change you like a remix” and if you’re lucky, then it will “raise you like a phoenix”! 🐦‍🔥

Gear: Coeur Sports triathlon shorts, Coeur Sports sports bra, Coeur Sports aero top, Snake and Pig Basilisk Amber goggles, Roka Viper Pro swimskin, Argon18 E-117 tri bike, Specialized S-works Evade helmet, Lake Cycling CX239 shoes, Omius visor, Hoka Arahi running shoes, Tifosi Sledge Lite sunnies, Orange Mud handheld water bottle, The Feed bandana (with a sweet zipper pocket for holding ice), Feetures Elite Max Cushion Tab socks, Skin Slick