Triathlon – Determined to Tri AND Run

March 18, 2025

Cool air, warm sun, and empty roads make for a glorious run!

Thank you spring break, for providing a tranquil run this morning! Florida has had some super gloomy weather as of late so today was just what I needed. And after a 2 year hiatus on this blog, I think I’m ready to come back again.

Life has managed to get super busy but I’m finally starting to get things in balance. Since 2023 I’ve battled some injuries, major life changes, and a few setbacks. But…I was also blessed with travels to 2 World Majors – Boston as a spectator and Chicago as a runner, in 2024!

Boston was an absolute blast! I loved every part of the trip, from the city itself to the race expo and culture of the entire city shutting down to celebrate and the intensity of attending a Red Sox game. The race itself was so magical, I really hope to return one day as a runner myself!

The famous Cheers bar, Boston Commons, and Fenway Stadium

Chicago definitely did not disappoint either! What an incredible experience, to see the city 20 years after my last visit which was not running related. The entire 26.2 miles of the race course was like a street party thru the city. Such a vibe!!

I’ve also still been racing triathlons and other smaller road races while working thru a back injury that unfortunately was sciatica nerve related and affected both strength and mobility in my right leg, knee, and foot. I went from nearly tripping and falling on every one of my late summer 2023 runs to placing on the AG podium in a handful of sprint tris and qualifying for USAT Age Group Nationals for 2024 AND 2025!

It took 4 months of physical therapy from October 2023 – February 2024, and I’m still working on things at home too. But I’m back in the gym lifting and fully able to do all things swim, bike, and run! Most recently I raced the same sprint tri that I did last March and improved my time by 5 MINUTES, scoring a podium spot in a fiercely competitive field!

I’m really excited to see what lies ahead! I have a race in the Florida Keys next month, a trail race in May, and some sprint triathlons planned for the summer. And I’ll keep showing up here too! 😉

March 13, 2023

#medalmonday

Sometimes it’s good to stop and think about where you are vs. where you started.

I wish I could say those podium spots consistently came sooner than 7-8 years into the sport, yet while they’ve been spotty, I’m still proud. Many understand the road I’ve travelled to get where I am today, and I can assure you it hasn’t been linear, or easy.

There have been countless barriers to overcome just to get started and many setbacks and challenges along the way. But, as I was told at age 12 by my dance teacher, I am determined to accomplish my goals (back then perfect left, right, and straddle splits)…hence the deteminedtotri Instagram handle.

When you want something bad enough, you learn to work for it. Yes, it may take time and, sometimes, sacrifice, but in the end it will be so worth it!

February 7, 2023

Passion drives performance

Last night was my first hour long run since my injury last fall. It felt incredible!! I missed this so much. Running is 100% my passion!

This is also coming off an 8 hour swim technique workshop this past weekend. So much muscle memory occurred during the prep and execution phase of this training. In and out of the pool every hour for instructions, dry land drills, then in water practice. All this culminated with a 100 yd time trial where I improved by 10 seconds and lessened my stroke rate by a count of 8 per lap.

In spite of some fatigue, I was able to grind out 6 miles with 4x 6 minutes at threshold pace. Right now, that means a pace somewhere in the range of 8:32-9:14/mile. I managed to stay sub-9 for all for intervals and didn’t die!! 😜 Because I LOVE RUNNING!!!

It was such a perfect crisp evening here in central Florida. One of my favorite parts about running is watching either a sunrise or sunset during my miles. I needed this even more mentally than I did physically after 3 months of time off.

Post-run cool down I was a little stiff, so I focused on stretching and percussion therapy with my new massage gun. Today is nutrition and hydration focused with an upper body and core strength workout earlier and a recovery swim later tonight.

I’ve also officially registered for my first Tri of the season on March 11. It will be a great benchmark to see where my fitness is…but so will the mile time trial I’m running this Thursday evening too. Wish me luck! It’s been a while and I’m nervous about where I’ll land on this one 🤞🏼 #runBMT

January 26, 2023

Understanding yourself

How often do you really stop and take the time to think about yourself, who you are at this moment and where you’d like to go? I know I don’t often do that, but way back in the day when I was an undergrad college student I did. One of our assignments was setting 5 and 10 year professional goals.

I randomly came across those goals I’d listed about 10 years later. Surprisingly I met every single one of the goals I’d laid out for myself! I hadn’t thought about that assignment since I turned it in,done and dusted, all those years ago. But I wonder… did that exercise unknowingly set me up for success??

Fast forward to now, where I think more about athletic and fitness goals. So, when I received a prompt from Honey Stinger to complete a couple goal setting activities at the beginning of this year, I figured I’d give it a go!

So, let’s see where I end up at the end of 2023. Will I meet and/or exceed these goals? I’d certainly like to think so! And, I’ve been back to running, building that base for a successful season ahead. Week 2 and feeling strong…

January 22, 2023

In it for the long run

Today marks the start of week 2 of my return to the run! Last week I successfully ran 8 miles pain free, spread over 3 days. Now this isn’t much, I know , especially compared to where I was pre injury, but I am grateful to be back. And, as this blog is titled, I’m “in it for the long run”.

What does that mean, you may be wondering. It means I am trying to really play it smart and listen to my body, take it slow, and continually reassess how my body is responding to the stress of running once again. So, slow and stead wins the race, as they say. After all, I have Chicago in my future!

Running brings me so much joy. I don’t know why I love it so much more than swimming and tons more than biking. I’ve always enjoyed being active, but something about those endorphins you create on the run. Some people call it the runners high – I don’t know if that’s what I feel, but I know I truly love it!

Today was a beautiful morning for a run!

Today was also such a gorgeous day. Central Florida has been pretty gloomy lately, so the sunshine and vitamin D were much appreciated. I’m ready for spring to roll in, even though the heat will be a challenge.

The rest of the day will be spent gardening, meal prepping, planning this week’s workouts, and setting some S.M.A.R.T. goals for the upcoming triathlon season. Busy week ahead too, because it’s my birthday week 🥳 🎂

September 26, 2022

6 weeks out from the “A” race of the season!!

Lit up like a glow worm for my 3 hour long run this past weekend

I’ve been quietly and steadily training for my biggest race yet, the Sky to Summit 50k in November. Last week I ran 43+ miles, which for me, is huge especially while remaining pain free! It’s such a great feeling!

Weekly workouts have included at least 1 easy run, 1 quality speed work sesh, hill repeats or tempo run, and a long run. My long run this past week hit 3 hours. Luckily I had the company of some of my best running friends for about an hour of it to keep me accountable and to keep me company. Bonus: they grabbed me a coffee and waited for me at my big finish 👏🏼

My body has been happily compliant, but I have been putting in all the recovery work to keep things in balance. One swim and 1-2 bike rides each week, anti inflammatory foods (read turmeric, tart cherry, etc), rolling, stretching, epsom salt soaks, and even some yoga. All the extra work has certainly been paying off!

For now, I’m holding off on triathlon races, even though I’m already missing them. I raced the last of the 4 Sommer Series sprint tris earlier this month with a 5+ minute course PR! And I took home first place in my AG for the series too.

I will say this has been my best triathlon race season ever! I feel so much stronger, more confident, and more focused on my training than ever before. I’m really hoping this carries over to my running as well. It’s helps so much to have an accountability squad, and right now mine rocks!

September 12, 2022

Last triathlon race of the 2022 Sommer Sports series

Saturday’s race was #4 out of – 4 race sprint triathlon series. I racked up 2 more medals – one for the race and a another for completing all 4 races (June, July, August, September) in the series. Also brought home a course 1:49 PR (5:32 improvement since the June race) 🙌🏼

There was a lady on my shoulder the for the ENTIRE run, and I wasn’t about to let her beat me! Best part – when we crossed the finish line she was 2 SECONDS behind me, and we congratulated each other, hugged, and are now friends on Strava! I love this community and how we cheer one another on! 🫶🏼

Even though I have raced better, faster, and stronger in each month’s race, I still remained a solid 4th place in my age group. The series, however, has their own awards with different qualifications, so now I will wait for the email with the series standings to arrive sometime this week. I might have a chance at placing, as I was 2nd AG going into this one!

I attribute my improvement to not only to more consistent bike workouts, but also to running more weekly mileage and hill training, as I prepare for my upcoming mountain 50k. I’m about 8 weeks out from race day and the excitement is definitely starting to build! I also have an accountability partner now who pushes me {gently} to be a better me!

July 19, 2022July 19, 2022

Pigtails and trails…

Well I’m still around, just focusing on many different things lately! It’s a case of runner/triathlete ADD. Local triathlon races (3 since my last post!), summer vacation, 3 times a week strength training, still base building the miles, and, once again, trail running.

3rd place AG at the Heartland Olympic Tri

4th place AG at the Sommer Sports sprint in June

4th place AG at the Sommer Sports sprint in July

Speaking of those trails – I had a great trail run this past weekend at a new to me venue, the Orlando Wetlands Park. I met up with a local trail running group and ran the outer 6 mile loop, then one of the inner 3 ish mile loops. Running with these peeps is always such a blast! Good people, good attitudes, with a “no man left behind mentality”!

In order to share all these unique outdoor adventures and spaces, I created a second Instagram page just for my trail runs. Check it out @pigtails_and_trails

Since I’m still Tri training, yesterday was a 1 hour swim and light strength training day using bands for hip and glute work. This morning I got in a solid 5 miles for #tracktuesday with 5x 400m + 2x 200m nailing those goal paces!

My total running miles for July will likely fall a tad short, but I’ve also been spending my Friday mornings stand up paddling instead of running which is a nice summer time treat! And then there was a vacation in the Florida Keys and new flooring in the house … July has been very productive and a whole lot of fun! Sadly, 3 weeks and counting until we’re back to the school year routine, so I’m trying to make the most of the summer days while I can! Still a couple more adventures to go!

May 11, 2022

May is for making mimosas and memories!

Time for a catch up post! It’s already almost mid-May. Where has the time gone?!? Since my last post we’ve celebrated Easter and Mother’s Day, 2 of springs biggest events. Through it all I’ve still been running the miles and making memories with runner friends!

Mother’s Day ‘Momosas’ with Moms Run This Town

Last month I was dealing with a pesky calf and hamstring strain, so my mileage did go down and my speed work had to go on hold. I put in some more time on the bike to give the legs some no impact training, as I’m prepping for 2 triathlons in June anyway. I’m happy to report the legs are feeling stronger now, and I was even able to complete an interval tempo run this morning!

This morning’s sunrise during my tempo run

Today’s workout was 3x 7 minutes at 8:45-9:30 pace with a 3 minute jog between each set. My legs definitely took longer to warm up, but I was able to stay between 9-9:30 for all 3 intervals. It’s funny how quickly the speed fades when one is not able to keep practicing the turnover, but I do know it will come back quick when my body is ready.

I had a less than stellar 5k last month, on April 9 to be exact. It was a small local race, so I did place 2nd in my age group with a meager 27 minute finish time. I attempted a 5k time trial last weekend, and while my legs were pain free my pace was still not where I wanted it to be. This time I blame the increasing Florida summer heat at 9 am, but I know the other part of the equation is the effect of detraining. So, back to work I will go!

I’ve also been running some trails with a local trail running group. That has been so much fun! One week we even did a run then paddle-boarded down the Wekiva River to Wekiva Island for lunch. I love this group and the opportunities they’ve given me to explore areas I would otherwise not be able to see as a solo female runner!

I am looking forward to the June triathlons and then more training for the Georgia Sky to Summit race in the fall. Big things ahead, and I’m super excited to blaze even more trails! Stay tuned and follow my journey 🤗

February 2, 2022February 9, 2022

A place to share all things running and strength training related!

Ok…maybe some healthy eating and triathlon tidbits too!

I’ve been a recreational runner since I was 13 years old, completing distances from the popular 5k to the entry-level ultra 50k and everything in between. In 2015 I entered the world of triathlon, competing first in sprint races and eventually working my way up to the 70.3 distance (x2!) in 2021. Along this journey, I’ve had many successes, but I’ve also hit a few bumps in the road related to injuries.

In the early days, I kept a running scrapbook with all my race bibs, course maps, and finish times to document my progress. Eventually that method transitioned over to the Garmin connect app plus Instagram, as life seems to have gone paperless these days. But I sure do miss the good ‘ol days! Now doesn’t that make me sound ancient???

Since I am “well seasoned”, I would like to share what I have learned along the way, as well as where I plan to go from here. In doing so I hope to inspire and help others in their journey to happy, healthy, strong running and every day life!