Meet Playtri Athlete Lucas Locke

Why did you decide to do triathlon?

-I decided to try a triathlon because I was thinking about quitting gymnastics and was looking for another sport. I noticed my mom doing triathlons and asked if I could train with her & try one.

How long have you been coached by Playtri?

 -4 years

Who is your Playtri coach?

 -Coach Morgan, Coach Wesley & Coach Meghan

What are your goals for the upcoming season?

 -Top 50% in swim, finding a pack for swim and bike so I don’t get lapped out. Make it to Nationals my first year as a junior.

How is your training going so far?

-Good, I am seeing improvements from all my training especially swimming.

What is your favorite discipline in triathlon and why?

 -My favorite of the three sports is definitely running. There is just something about it that brings me the most joy. I love pushing myself to the limit and the feeling of accomplishment at every new PR.

What is your favorite athlete/idol in triathlon? Why?

 -I don’t have a specific athlete that is my favorite, and neither do I know many athletes in any sport. I guess my idol would have to be my mother since she got me into the sport.

What race did you love the most?

-My favorite races are some of the longer-distance ones I do locally by PlayTri. 

What is your dream race?

 -An Ironman 1/2 with my mom one day.

What is your favorite meal day before the race? And after the race?

-My favorite meal before the race depends on how I’m feeling. I always eat eggs & bacon on race day. After the race, I always like to get either Chick-fil-A, Cane’s or Whataburger.

What are your best and worst memories from racing?

-I had a fantastic swim and run at both Pittsburgh and Iowa, but on the other hand, I had a bike crash at both races. The second crash cracked my bike frame, and I had to get a new bike in a hurry before Nationals, which was stressful.

What is your favorite training session?

 -are either the long rides on Saturday, my early morning runs, or Friday swim practice.

What training session do you dread?

-are the open water swims in the early season when winter just ended, and it is very cold?

What have you learned from your Playtri coach?

-I have learned that technique is very, very important in swimming. I’ve been focusing on it a lot in off/pre-season, and have seen a big difference.

Give us a fun fact about you.

-A fun fact about me is that even though I’m a hardcore triathlete, I play too many hours of video games in my free time.

Meet Playtri Athlete Tim Wibowo

Why did you decide to do triathlon?

-A couple of friends from college started doing triathlon and I started looking more into it and realized that it's something I could do. I then signed up for Luck of the Irish in 2022 and absolutely loved it and have been hooked ever since.

How long have you been coached by Playtri?

- Been coached for about a year and a half.

Who is your Playtri coach?

-Coach Peter

What are your goals for the upcoming season?

-Finish an Ironman. 

-Get closer to a 5 hr 70.3. 

-Qualify for USAT AG nationals.

How is your training going so far?

-Training is going well. Just finished a pretty big side quest, finishing Fort Worth Half marathon in sub 2 hrs, a long the way to finishing a full Ironman next year.

What is your favorite discipline in triathlon and why?

- cycling. Until I started triathlons I never really cycled competitively. So it's been really rewarding going from a weak cyclist to a decently competitive cyclist and learning about the sport of cycling.

What is your favorite athlete/idol in triathlon? Why?

- Lionel Sanders. He's an athlete who wears his heart on his sleeve and is very open about his struggles and plans for improvement.

What race did you love the most?

-Ironman 70.3 Texas. It was my second 70.3, but I felt like it was the first 70.3 that I felt ready for and could really put in a decent effort.

What is your dream race?

- Ironman 70.3 world champs

What is your favorite meal day before the race? And after the race?

-pasta with red meat sauce

-after...anything that tastes good.

What are your best and worst memories from racing?

- my best memory was finishing the fall 2023 Fort Worth Tri and smiling the last mile in because I knew that my fitness was back after a rough summer of 2023.

- my worst memory was getting a flat tire in the middle of Blackland Tri in 2022.

What is your favorite training session?

- any kind of speed work on the bike where I can push the watts and HR high.

What training session do you dread?

- long runs.

What have you learned from your Playtri coach?

 - learned how to be an endurance athlete. Before this, I was primarily a swimmer that did the 50 and 100 free. To go from training to be fast for 20 seconds to have to be fast for 5 hours required a huge mentality switch

Give us a fun fact about you.

- I am a former college swimmer. Swam for 4 years at The Case Western Reserve University.

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Interested in Coaching?

Check out Individual Coaching Plans — Playtri for more information.

Meet Playtri Athlete Lucas Locke

Why did you decide to do triathlon?

I decided to try a triathlon because I was thinking about quitting gymnastics, and was looking for another sport. I noticed my mom doing triathlons and asked if I could train with her & try one.

How long have you been coached by Playtri?

3.5 years

Who is your Playtri coach?

Coach Morgan, Coach Raina, & Coach Wesley

What are your goals for the upcoming season?

Top 50% in swim, Nationals, finding a pack for swim and/or bike

How is your training going so far?

Good, I am seeing improvements from all my training.

What is your favorite discipline in triathlon and why?

My favorite of the three sports is definitely running. There is just something about it that brings me the most joy. I love pushing myself to the limit and the feeling of accomplishment at every new PR.

What is your favorite athlete/idol in triathlon? Why?

I don’t have a specific athlete that is my favorite, nor do I know many athletes in any sport. I guess my idol would have to be my mother since she got me into the sport.

What race did you love the most?

My favorite races are some of the longer distance ones I do locally by PlayTri.

What is your dream race?

An Ironman 1/2 with my mom one day.

What is your favorite meal day before the race? And after the race?

My favorite meal before the race depends on how I’m feeling. After the race, I always like to get either Chick-fil-A, Cane’s, or Whataburger.

What are your best and worst memories from racing?

My best memory so far was at the draft legal in Iowa last year. It was the first time I didn’t finish the swim in the last 5 people. It was also my qualifying race for nationals. My worst memory would actually be at my first nationals. I crashed on the bike because my back tire slid out on a u-turn. I also had a horrible dive at the relay the next day.

What is your favorite training session?

My favorite training sessions are the bike/run on Thursdays.

What training session do you dread?

I always dread the open water swim before our bike on Saturdays. If it’s during the winter, I dread the pool swim after instead since we don’t have an OWS swim.

What have you learned from your Playtri coach?

I have learned a lot about the details. Technique, preparation, packing, nutrition, hydration, focus.

Give us a fun fact about you.

I PRed on the 5k off the bike 3 times in a row at the local PlayTri races.

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Meet Playtri Athlete Joshua Hernandez

Why did you decide to do triathlon? 

I heard about the sport from my family and my aunt soon taught me how to swim. I got an old bike from my dad who also likes triathlons and I just signed up for a race. I gave myself 50 days to prepare and followed through. I truly fell in love. 

How long have you been coached by playtri? 

9 months 

Who is your Playtri coach? 

Michael Rourke 

What are your goals for the upcoming season? 

Place top 10 in my age group at Multisport nationals in April and place top 10 in my age group for Age Group Nationals in Milwaukee 

How is your training going so far? 

Amazing. Me and Michael have really cranked down on the swim and so I’m seeing major gains. I’ve taken minutes off my swim times and built some of the best strength in my legs ever. 

What is your favorite discipline in triathlon and why? 

I’d have to say running. It’s been my main sport for so long and it gives Me a lot of control in terms of output so I can always push hard. Swimming is a close second, it’s growing on me. 

Who is your favorite athlete/idol in triathlon? Why? 

Kristian Blummenfelt; He is the best in the world and gives 100% to everything he does. No matter if it’s a full distance or a short course race- he’ll get it done and very fast. I’ve always wanted to complete long course events and he gives me inspiration to do so. He shows me that I can be good in anything I apply myself to. 

What race did you love the most? 

I loved the 2nd Fort Worth Olympic-Distance Triathlon.  I got a PR in each discipline and got qualified to compete at a national level for the first time in my life in the first 5 months as a full-time triathlete. 

What is your dream race?

Ironman World Championships at Nice, France or Kilauea-Kona, Hawaii 

Ironman Alaska with my dad. 

What is your favorite meal the day before the race? And after the race? 

The night before I’ll usually have some sort of home cooked meal with some sort of fish and high carb. I try to not eat too many veggies or fiber to avoid the need to digest complex foods. 

After is usually breakfast foods. Waffle House is my favorite because is reminds me of my home. 

What are your best and worst memories from racing? 

Worst: My chain derailed during my first race ever and I got into a really bad bike crash the week before that race as well. 

Best: I remember feeling the most intesnse joy and excitement ever when completing my first ever race (Sprint distance) in under an hour. I almost cried from the sense of accomplishment it brought me and the level that triathlon pushed me to was unlike any cross country or track race I’ve ever done. 

What is your favorite training session? 

Hills for bike and Run, drill/technique swim days, and endurance swim days. 

What training session do you dread? 

Probably low cadence bike days or sprint swim days. 

What have you learned from your playtri coach?

Having a healthy relationship with exercise and sports has been a struggle for me since becoming a highly competitive athlete. I often got injured and was very inconsistent but, since being with my coach I learned: 

- it’s better to do something than nothing. 

- if you can’t get something done, forget about it and on to the next. 

- loving something forever is more important than being the best temporarily. 

Give us a fun fact about you. 

I love playing many instruments, usually you can catch me playing piano, drum set, or guitar outside of training.

Are you ready to get a playtri coach? Get started at playtri.com/coaching

Meet Playtri Athlete Hallie Hackler

Why did you decide to do triathlon?   

My mom signed me up when I was 6 and I stuck with it because I really began to like it!

How long have you been coached by Playtri?

Since I was 6! About 4 ½ years

Who is your Playtri coach? 

Coach Meghan, Coach Mike, Coach Wes

What are your goals for the upcoming season? 

To improve my run time and prepare for Middle School track

How is your training going so far? 

Overall good. Swimming is challenging for me and I’m trying to learn efficiencies.

What is your favorite discipline in triathlon and why? 

Running is my favorite because when I run, I don’t have to think about it. My legs just go!

Who is your favorite athlete/idol in triathlon? Why? 

He’s not triathlon, but marathoner- Eliud Kipchoge. He’s so fast for so long!!!  I also like Lucy Charles because I’m inspired that women can be really fast!

What race did you love the most? 

Blackland because when I was on the run, I got to see my Playtri friends on the course.

What is your dream race? 

Ironman!

What is your favorite meal the day before the race? And after the race? 

Bagels with cream cheese before the race and after the race, bananas and chocolate milk

What are your best and worst memories from racing? 

Best- When I see the finish line! 

Worst- Hawaiian Falls- I was so tired after the swim/bike, I didn’t want to do the run… and it was really hot.

What is your favorite training session?   

Track and drills

What training session do you dread? 

Warmup for swim, cause it’s cold!

What have you learned from your playtri coach? 

If you believe you can do it, you can do it!

Give us a fun fact about you.  

I’ve made at least 20 friends from Playtri! I drink juice upside down. 😊

Are you ready to get a playtri coach? Get started at playtri.com/coaching

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Meet Playtri Athlete Carrie McCoy

Why did you decide to do triathlon:

I was running for The Ohio State University's cross-country team and got injured. Our rehab included swimming and biking and one day I saw an advertisement for Team and Training's triathlon team (raising funds for Leukemia and lymphoma society). They were training for St. Anthony's Olympic down in Florida and I thought since I am already training, why not! My first open water swim was in the ocean in a wetsuit that I put on backwards... 

How long have you been coached by playtri?

I have been working officially with PlayTry for 1.5 years.

Who is your Playtri coach?

Morgan Johnson and Ahmed Zaher 

What are your goals for the upcoming season?

To requalify my pro license and race elite. 

How is your training going so far?

We've been putting in the time day after day, listening to my body and laying a strong foundation to build from. Its not always about times its about consistency and we've been consistent which means training is going well and the breakthroughs are around the corner. 

Who is your favorite athlete/idol in triathlon? Why?

Meredith Kessler because she leads on and off the race course. She is a fierce competitior but is humble and kind. She empowers those around her and her identity is not in this sport, its just apart of who she is and how she uses her gifts. 

What is your dream race?

I would love to race Roth as a professional athlete and Leadville 100. 

What are your best and worst memories from racing?

The best memory I have is when I raced Beach 2 Battleship Full distance. I crashed on the bike at mile 10, broke my arrow bar and thanks to a kind athlete was able to fix my saddle to make it ridable again. I got back on and rode into 3rd place (overall female) the motivation being I was there with my team and my father was racing the half ironman and he had figured out that I would be heading out on the run while he would be coming toward the finish and we may see each other and share a hug. That goal he had fueld me to get back on my bike and fight through the pain to ride the 102 miles left to get to the run course. I got to hug him that day right before he finished his race and I headed out, I also placed 2nd overall and earned my first pay check as an elite athlete.

I do not have a "worst" memory as even the races that ended in a DNF or didn't go anything like we planned I have been able to learn from and use to fuel the fire for the next one. 

What is your favorite training session?

Training pace bike workouts when I can truly just go out and ride anywhere, up mountains and not worry about staying in zone 1 watts ;)

What training session do you dread?

I do not fear any of them but I have had to work on the mindset to rise to the challenges of hard workouts and learn not to fear not hitting the watts or pace but to embrace the challenge and give 100%. If I do not hit it, then its something to shoot for the next time. I've learned to not fear failure. 

What have you learned from your playtri coach?

The importance of miles/ times day in and day out, its not about how fast you go to build your base, its about consistency every.single.day. 

Give us a fun fact about you:

I run a foundation called Kona Kids and I love to sing and have written/ composed a song. 

Are you ready to get a playtri coach? Get started at playtri.com/coaching

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Meet the Ladies of Playtri

In celebration of Mother’s Day, this month we wanted to highlight some of the awesome female athletes and staff that we have here at Playtri. Playtri has one of the largest female leadership teams in the industry, and we are extremely proud of the women representing us on and off the race course!

Amy Moore - Athlete

Amy, how long have you been doing Triathlons? How long have you been training with Playtri?

I’ve been doing triathlons for 8 years, and training with Coach Morgan at Playtri for 5 years.

Any big goals for 2021 and beyond?

Qualifying for 2021 Age Group Nationals in the Sprint and Olympic distances. (We’re happy to report that Amy has already qualified for the Sprint distance since we did this interview!)

How has Playtri helped you be successful in your training and competition?

Playtri has shown me how to do quality workouts that fit my athletic ability and lifestyle. I am also more confident in myself and my ability on race day.

Tell us your funniest triathlon training story!

I was excited about doing a long training ride with some friends. I got everything ready and loaded, and drove 45 minutes from my house. I arrived only to find out I left the key to the lock on my bike rack at home. I left totally disappointed and decided to go eat breakfast instead. It wasn’t a total waste!

What triathlon accomplishment are you most proud of?

I am a 3 time Ironman finisher and qualifier for the Age Group National Championship race in the Sprint distance. All of these things were accomplished after the age of 40.

Tell us something about yourself that most people don’t know…

Dessert is my favorite meal!

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Juanita Cano - Group Training Coach

Juanita, how long have you been doing triathlons?

This is my fifth year doing triathlons. I was a late bloomer and didn’t discover the sport until I was 39. It’s never too late to start!!

What do you do at Playtri?

I assist in the Group Training Program and lead several trainings out of the Dallas location as well as conduct knowledge clinics.

How long have you been coaching at Playtri, and what made you want to coach here?

This is my first year coaching with Playtri. Starting with Group Training and easing my way into it. Ahmed had approached me a few years ago about doing it but I was really nervous about it. Morgan reached out to me again last year and since I’m healing from injuries and not really training full time, I thought it would be a good way to stay in touch with the sport while I’m on the “injury reserve list”. I really love the program they have at Playtri.

What is your favorite thing about coaching?

Watching the athletes grow and overcome their insecurities. Their excitement as they achieve their goals and set new ones is infectious and very gratifying.

What does it mean for you to work at a company with a female majority leadership team in a male-dominated industry?

It’s really exciting to see women in positions of authority and leadership. Morgan, our head coach, has gained national recognition and is kicking butt with the Playtri Youth groups at National Competitions. It’s thrilling to watch her mold young athletes into power houses and command the respect of other coaches nationwide.

Do you have any races scheduled for this season? Any big goals?

I’ve done one sprint so far and would like to get a few more under my belt as soon as I’m released from the “injury reserve list”. I miss racing and training. I’d love to be able to do Waco 70.3 in October but I’m going to follow my doctors’ orders and train slowly and methodically because my goal is to do a full Ironman in 2022. If that means I don’t get to race as much this year, that’s ok. As long as I can train safely, I can ensure I’ll be able to participate in the sport in years to come.

Tell us something about you that not many people know…

When I’m not training or working, I love to rescue and foster dogs in my spare time. I’ve been doing it for over 20 years now. I currently have a Schnoodle I’m fostering but my favorite breed are Pitbulls. Our entire family has become Pitbull advocates and we have two Pittie foster failures at home, Duke and Duchess.

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Jenna Topott - Junior Athlete

How long have you been doing triathlons?

I have been doing triathlons since I was 6 years old. I have been on the Playtri Elite team for a little under four years.

How long have you been training with Playtri?

I have been training with Playtri for five years. One year on the Silver and Gold 2 teams, and four years on the Elite team.

Any big triathlon goals for 2021 or beyond?

My biggest goal is to be on or near the podium for the remainder of the Youth Elite cup season. Also, I hope one day I can make it to the Olympics or complete an Ironman.

How has Playtri helped you be successful in your training and competition?

Playtri helped me improve not only in speed but also in skill. Team practices help me train consistently, but they also keep me motivated even when workouts are tough. Team Playtri has also provided many wonderful teammates that have helped me push myself. We also have the support of all of our coaches to guide us each and every day.

Tell us your funniest tri training story!

When I think of a funny story, I immediately think of my teammates. There have been many funny moments, like running with your helmet on in a race, or biking with the opposite shoes on the pedals or with just one shoe on. Many things have happened in races that we don't plan on. But in the future, we can laugh about it.

 What triathlon accomplishment are you most proud of?

During a race, my goggles were ripped off at the start of the swim, and I ended up coming out of the water 23. By working well in a bike pack, I managed to bike down 18 people to put me in 5th spot. Finally, I ran down another two people placing me on the podium.

 Tell us something about yourself that most people don't know…

Something most people don't know about me is that I have dyslexia. I have worked hard to manage it to the point where I don't even notice it anymore.

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Kelley Garland Irving - Athlete

How long have you been doing triathlon?

My first triathlon was the September 2018 Playtri Stonebridge Ranch Tri, so 2 ½ years.

Any big triathlon goals for 2021 or beyond?

I am training for my first Ironman (Tulsa) coming up May 23rd and Ironman Waco 70.3 in October where I hope to improve by 2019 time.

How has Playtri helped you be successful in your training and competition?

In 2018 I took advantage of Playtri’s coached open water swims in preparation for a Swim Across America fundraising event. I did not expect to end the year having completed my first sprint triathlon! I WAS only a swimmer! The Playtri coaches were so encouraging to give Triathlon a try and I’m so grateful to them for planting the seed that I could actually do it. I’ve participated in two Playtri camps, coached open water swims and have been training with a Playtri coach since early 2019. My coach provides a training plan specific to me, my goals and lifestyle and provides weekly feedback.

What triathlon accomplishment are you most proud of?

I’m proud to have completed Ironman Waco 70.3 in 2019. More importantly, I’m proud that through triathlon, I’ve been active and worked out consistently over the past few years.

Tell us something about yourself that most people don't know…

I’m a lefty, but I use a mouse with my right hand, upside down. It makes sense to me!

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Brenna Zerby - Junior Athlete

How long have you been doing triathlon?

8 years (I’m 17, so since I was 9).

How long have you been training with Playtri?

8 years. I joined the team when I was 9 - that was my first exposure to the sport.

Any big triathlon goals for 2021 or beyond?

I want to place in the top 20 junior elite (age 16-19) women in the US this season, and join a D1 triathlon program when I go to college.

How has Playtri helped you be successful in your training and competition?

Coach Morgan is an amazing coach and I have great teammates to push myself with!

Tell us your funniest tri training story!

In one race I did my necklace got caught on my helmet strap, so I had to do the whole run leg with my helmet on my head!

What triathlon accomplishment are you most proud of?

Ranking 5th in the USAT Youth Elite Women’s Series when I was 15, then this season finishing 4th at the second day of the Clermont EDR in March.

Tell us something about yourself that most people don't know!

I want to study speech pathology in college, and become a speech therapist when I grow up.

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Morgan Hoffman - Head Coach

How long have you been doing triathlons?

I did my first triathlon in 2009, so 12 years

How long have you been coaching?

I originally started coaching a local youth team the same year I started doing triathlon in 2009, which was what originally made me excited to work with kids in the sport.

How long have been coaching at Playtri? What made you want to coach here?

I just had my 11th “anniversary” with Playtri this past April. I was being individually coached by a Playtri coach while I was in grad school, so I got to see first hand at camps and group training sessions just how solid the coaching system and philosophies were here. When I decided to give a career in triathlon coaching a “go,” it just made sense to apply to work at Playtri! If you had told me then that I would one day be the head coach of the company, I would have thought you were nuts!

What is your favorite thing about coaching?

I just love getting to be part of the journey and competition with my athletes. Getting to share the wins AND the challenges is a privilege that we both grow as a result of. Sharing that journey is very, very special.

What does it mean for you to work at a company with a female majority leadership team in a male-dominated industry?

I literally can’t imagine working anywhere else! I’ve been surrounded by strong, empowered women here from day 1, and that has shaped my personal and professional development in ways that are absolutely invaluable.

Do you have any races scheduled for this season? Any big goals?

Yes! Me and one of my best friends from college (who also raced with me at UNT) got in to SwimRun racing last year. It’s a multisport race that originated in Sweden, and you traverse a course that requires you to swim some lengths and run others, typically on undeveloped terrain. You have to carry all your gear for the entire race, and you are actually tethered to your teammate for the swim, so you have to get pretty creative with your setup! We are going to try and complete our first Long Course event as a team this year, which will probably take us upwards of 7 hours.

Tell us something about yourself that most people don’t know…

I love to read and my college degree is actually in English Literature - I picked that major because they told me I could just read a bunch of books and write/talk about them! Sounded perfect to me!

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Staci Brode - President

What did you do prior to coming to work at Playtri?

I worked for Johnson & Johnson in Sales.

How did you end up working here at Playtri?

I was looking for a new triathlon coach and someone told me Ahmed [Zaher - founder of Playtri] was their coach the really liked him. The rest is history!

What does it mean to you to be part of a leadership team that is majority female in a male-dominated industry?

It is extremely rewarding to me. As our business grew and I started to sit in more leadership meetings and board rooms, I recognized how important giving women opportunities was. I think I was like many women, I didn’t see the issues because I didn’t feel I had been limited by it. When we aren't “in the room" where top decisions are being made, the whole industry is losing out. If you aren’t in the room, you can’t influence the decisions and it is harder to make a difference or provide opportunities for others. There are tons of women in management positions, but still very few in senior leadership / C-suite jobs and without active development of women for these roles and in these roles that will never change. It is part of my mission to support and elevate women where I can.

Tell us about a part of your job that most people wouldn't know about.

Sometimes people don’t realize Ahmed Zaher is my husband, since we don’t have the same last name. It is always a little funny when people tell me about knowing him - that they know the owner, the guy in charge.

What’s your favorite workout to do?

These days - any workout I can get in! I probably still enjoy most my run / walks at the lake. It is so amazing to see all the people out and about on bikes, running, walking - just being healthy. I love smiling and saying hi as people go by.

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Ladies - we’d love for you to join us! We hope you’ll check out our Coaching and Career options here on the website and come along for the ride!

Meet Playtri Athlete Bobby Howe

Bobby recently finished his first 70.3 in Galveston after completing the Playtri Race Ready training program with Coach Gabriel. He tells us all about his experience here!

This was your first 70.3 - what were you most nervous about going into the race?

The swim - definitely the swim! What part were you most excited about? For me the goal was to just finish - I wanted to cross that finish line standing up!

What were the top three things you did on race day that you would do again at your next 70.3?

1) Stay calm in the water - the start was crazy but when I found my rhythm it went well.

2) Not stress about transition - I arrived at the start at a time I felt was early but then they started calling the swim seeding times and my goal time was called before I even emptied my bag. I ended rushing a bit and then just standing in line for another 40 minutes waiting to get in the water.

3) I felt great on the bike - we had the wind at our backs going out so I really had to tell myself to relax and take it easy - taking easy on the bike was key for me.

What are the top three things you would do differently?

1) SUNSCREEN! I would make sure to put on sunscreen before the bike.

2) Body Glide - more Body Glide before putting on my wetsuit.

3) Did I write sunscreen already?!

What was going through your mind as you approached the finish line?

I was thinking I’m so glad this is over - I did it and was done for the day! I’m actually still debating on doing another - I still can’t imagine doing a full IM yet!

How did Playtri contribute to your success on race day?

I couldn’t have done it without Playtri training and Coach Gabriel’s help in the water. I’ve done over 55 marathons and I know what I need training wise to complete the 26.2 miles - I had no clue what was needed for 70.3 and much less 140.3! I’m so glad my wife encouraged group training with Playtri!

Congratulations Bobby!!

www.playtri.com/group

Meet Team Playtri Elite Athlete Jenna

Jenna Topott, a member of our USAT High Performance Team, recently brought home a 1st Place finish at the Clermont F1 and 3rd at the Sarasota Youth Elite Cup in Florida. She answered some questions for us so we could get to know her a little better!

How long have you been doing triathlon?

I have been doing triathlons since I was 6 years old. I have been on the Playtri Elite team for a little under four years.

How long have you been training with Playtri?

I have been training with Playtri for five years. One year on the Silver and Gold 2 teams, and four years on the Elite Team.

Any big triathlon goals for 2021 or beyond?

My biggest goal is to be on or near the podium for the remainder of the USAT Youth Elite Cup season. Also, I hope one day I can make it to the Olympics or complete an Ironman.

How has Playtri helped you be successful in your training and competition?

Playtri helped me improve not only in speed but also in skill. Team practices help me train consistently, but they also keep me motivated even when workouts are tough. Team Playtri has also provided many wonderful teammates that have helped me push myself. We also have the support of all of our coaches to guide us each and every day.

What is your funniest triathlon story?

When I think of a funny story, I immediately think of my teammates. There have been many funny moments, like running with your helmet on in a race, or biking with the opposite shoes on the pedals or with just one shoe on. Many things have happened in races that we don't plan on. But in the future, we can laugh about it.

What triathlon accomplishment are you most proud of?

During my most recent race in Sarasota, my goggles were ripped off at the start of the swim, and I ended up coming out of the water 23rd. By working well in a bike pack, I managed to bike down 18 people to put me in 5th starting the run. Finally, I ran down another two people, placing me on the podium.

Tell us something about yourself that most people don't know!

Something most people don't know about me is that I have dyslexia. I have worked hard to manage it to the point where I don't even notice it anymore.

Jenna - we can’t wait to see what else you accomplish in 2021!

You can learn more about our youth and junior programs at www.playtri.com/youth.

Peter's Journey to IRONMAN with Playtri

Playtri athlete Peter Balyta finished his first IRONMAN at Florida recently, and he sat down with us to share his experience.

Peter, this was your first IM - what were you most nervous about going into the race? What part were you most excited about?

I was most nervous about the swim because all of my swim training leading up to the IM was while being tied to a tree in my backyard. (i.e. tethered swimming in my pool). I recall looking out at those buoys the day before thinking they looked so far away. BUT as soon I got into the ocean, all of my nerves went away. I love swimming in the ocean and I was in the ocean - so I forced myself to stay present and enjoy MY swim.

I was most excited about getting to do my first IM in 2020 despite everything going on. At athlete check-in, I realized that my dream of completing an IM by the time I was 50 was becoming a very real possibility. It was a commitment that I made to myself many years ago. My dad died when he was 50 years old of a massive heart attack, his second in two years. I was a 20-year-old kid at the time and forced to learn an excruciatingly painful lesson on how short and fragile life can be. My father was a copper miner, and worked in mines that no one else would to make ends meet - he was also a champion Canadian weightlifter in his prime, even qualifying for the Olympic trials. In addition, he was one of the best hunters and fishermen in our province, which ensured my mother, siblings and I would have enough food in the freezer to make it through the frigid, Canadian winters. My dad taught me the most about what hard work, determination and grit look like. Unfortunately though, as he aged, my dad developed some unhealthy habits that contributed to his untimely death. While I realize he didn’t lead the healthiest lifestyle in his final years, I am also well aware that we share the same genes, and I don’t want what happened to him to happen to me or my children. Shortly after my dad’s passing, I laced up my sneakers and started running for the first time in my life. Through the years, I’ve added CrossFit, swimming and cycling to the mix and discovered that my real passion lies in triathlon. For me, it is less about winning, or even the event itself, and more about the physical and mental journey of preparing for an endurance race.

So to celebrate my 50th birthday, I stepped up to the starting line of the my first IM.

It was a wonderful journey to get there. I also got to raise over $49K for my favorite nonprofit - Girl Scouts of Northeast Texas - along the way.

What an indredible journey! What were the top three things you did on race day that you would do again at your next IM?

Stayed calm before the start.

Stayed present during each segment and quietly celebrated moving onto the next event.

Took time to enjoy the finish - to really let it sink in.

What are the top three things you would do differently?

Skip the full wardrobe changes in transitions.

Change my relationship with running. I plan to silence the negative self-talk in my head and look at running, differently. While I tend to joke about my short, slow legs, that stops now.

Get some swimming lessons. I see people swimming along the surface of the water making it look like they are just gliding effortlessly. I notice that when I swim harder, I actually go slower. That tells me it’s time to get some swim lessons. I’m signed up for my first lesson with Playtri Aquatics Coach Gabriel on Friday.

What was going through your mind as you approached the finish line?

As I approached the finish line, I was in the a state of absolute gratitude for being able to cross it. I was embracing so many memories and emotions. It felt like my dad was there as I crossed the finish line. When I finished shortly after 10 p.m., I looked up at the sky and gave him a smile to make sure he knew we had accomplished this together. I thought about my sister who recently won her battle with cancer and mom who was still fighting to cross her finish line (last treatments) one week later. I thought about how fortunate I was to have such an incredible family. I was also grateful for how the Girl Scouts of Northeast Texas (and everyone that supported my GSNETX fundraiser) cheered me along every step of the way.

How did Playtri contribute to your success on race day?

My first introduction to Playtri was with Head Coach Morgan Hoffman, who helped me understand the importance of Nutrition and Hydration. I attended her live Nutrition & Hydration 101 course, and she opened my eyes to a path towards more energy and better recovery by making quick changes to what I was eating. After embracing carbs instead of limiting carbs, I felt so much better and had significantly fewer injuries. I was also connected with Playtri Coach Amari Holmes who was able to put me on a training plan to achieve my fitness and triathlon goals despite and a very challenging work/travel schedule. I never thought I would have enough time to train for Ironman and Ironman 70.3 events. Thank you!

Peter, congrats again on your accomplishments - both finishing your first IRONMAN, and using that experience to make a significant contribution to the Girl Scouts of Northeast Texas. We’re proud to call you a Playtri athlete!

Dillon, You Are An IRONMAN!

Dillon Scala, Playtri Swim Club athlete finished his first IRONMAN in Florida this weekend - Congrats, Dillon! He sat down with Head Coach Morgan Hoffman to tell her all about his experience, and how Playtri helped him get to the finish line.

Coach Morgan: This was your first IM - what were you most nervous about going into the race? What part were you most excited about?

Dillon: I was just scared of putting in so much work and getting a DNF - on the flip side I was excited beyond belief to put all that preparation to work on the big day. 

Coach Morgan: What were the top three things you did on race day that you would do again at your next IM?

Dillon:

1. I did not hammer into the head wind and burn myself out. I’m very happy with how fresh I was for the start of the run.

2. I was overly generous and diligent with the body glide and the vaseline.

3. I drank the broth at every aid station on the run.

Coach Morgan: What are the top three things you would do differently?

Dillon:

1. I was so overanxious about forgetting things in transition, getting extras of food and drink at aid stations and triple checking what I had, that I burned an insane amount of time. I think I literally could have saved 45 minutes from T1 and the bike leg by just trusting that I had everything and not stopping unless I absolutely needed something. Next race, I want to bang out my T1 more quickly and know how to move through the aid stations in as little time as possible.

2. I’m going to have my transition and special needs bags completely ready before I even get to the race site. The day before my race was so stressful getting all of that together. It was an unnecessary use of energy that close to the race.

3. My neck muscles got really tired during the last two hours on the bike, so I’m going to put an emphasis on improving strength and flexibility in my neck and back so I’m ready to be in the aero position for that long.

Coach Morgan: What was going through your mind as you approached the finish line?

Dillon: The finish line was such a blur that I don’t have anything too interesting to say about it! However, the swim was one of the coolest experiences I’ve ever had. The energy in T1 before the race was unlike anything I’ve ever experienced before, and the procession out to the beach, then the moment that it was my time to go was so surreal. Then being out in the ocean with that many people doing this crazy thing was so much fun. 

Coach Morgan: How did Playtri contribute to your success in Florida?

Dillon: Outside of the time I spent training, PlayTri was the biggest contributing factor to me being ready and having a great time at IM Florida. 

I didn’t even own a bike when I signed up for the event this past February. Just buying a bike was such an anxiety inducing process until I went into Playtri. Everyone there was so knowledgeable and helpful that it turned all that anxiety into excitement and happiness about having a new bike. Beyond just selling me the bike and some gear, they were so welcoming to the world of triathlon. That positive energy was so encouraging when taking on this new and intimidating challenge. 

Additionally, in being brand new to cycling, triathlons, and the Ironman distance, I had a million questions. Everyone at the store was so generous with their time and knowledge. I want to especially thank Eli, Morgan, Ahmed, Garret, and (I’m sorry I’m forgetting the name of the person that helped me out last Tuesday and many times before that!). I’m sorry I took up more than my fair share of your time with all my questions. But I really appreciate all of your help. 

Lastly, and most importantly, I owe a huge amount of thanks to Playtri Aquatics Head Coach Gabriel. I tried using YouTube to teach me how to swim, but about 6 weeks out from the race, I was making zero progress and I was grossly inefficient in the water. I signed up for Foundations of Triathlon Swimming and the Playtri Swim club for the month of October. I did three sessions a week with Coach Gabriel, and what a difference that made. My confidence in the water went from absolutely zero to knocking out a 1:19 swim at IM Florida. Beyond that, it was just an absolute blast to go up to MJP and have a great swim session with Gabriel. He made it so much fun and gave me a ton of confidence to keep improving. His passion and enthusiasm for the sport is so infectious and was one of the highlights of my entire Ironman experience. Also, I owe him big time for powering through some very cold autumn nights there at the pool. 

Dillon - congratulations again on your awesome achievement. YOU ARE AN IRONMAN!

Athletes - want to take your long course swim to the next level with Playtri? Visit us today at www.playtri.com/aquatics to learn about our Swim Club, Camps, Private Lessons, Open Water Training and more!

Crossing the Finish Line with Playtri at IM Florida

Playtri athlete Mike Garcia finished his first IRONMAN in Florida this past weekend (congratulations Mike!), and he gave Head Coach Morgan Hoffman the 411 on his experience as a first-time IM racer, and how Playtri helped him get across the line!

Coach Morgan: This was your first IM - what were you most nervous about going into the race? What part were you most excited about?

Mike: Nutrition and hydration were what worried me the most about Ironman. I was worried that if I didn’t have this ironed out before IMFL it could be a concern for not finishing.  

I was most excited to just get out there and race. I had my other races defer to 2021, so I was just happy to be racing!

Coach Morgan: What were the top three things you did on race day that you would do again at your next IM?

Mike:

1. Pre-load with nutrition and hydration for sure.

2. Get to transition early to check bike tire pressure and setup my space.

3. Chamois Cream!!!

Coach Morgan: What are the top three things you would do differently?

Mike:

1. Arrive to race location earlier to get situated and not feel rushed at check-in. I went from the airport directly to the IRONMAN Village with my luggage since I was worried about missing my check-in timeslot, which was part of the COVID safety protocols.  

2. Move to a slightly more liquid-based nutrition on bike.  I feel like I took in enough calories, but they really sat with me the whole race. 

3. Not change clothes each time in transition.  It wasted a lot of time and it wasn’t necessary for me.  I normally wear my tri kit under my wetsuit, this time I didn’t and it’s extremely difficult to put a shirt on when you have just come out of the water!

Coach Morgan: What was going through your mind as you approached the finish line?

Mike: I think the main thing on my mind was how hungry I was - spectators were eating pizza while cheering us on and I really wanted a slice during the run!  I was also thinking to myself “Don’t trip” as I was crossing the line when Mike Reilly was announcing my name.

Coach Morgan: How did Playtri contribute to your success in Florida?

Mike: My coach [Jim Rowe] was awesome and kept saying to trust in the system, and I did.  The Playtri method of training, pacing, and HR zones was what ultimately allowed me to cross the finish line. 

Congratulations again, Mike! YOU ARE AN IRONMAN!

Interested in crossing the finish line with Playtri at your next race? Visit www.playtri.com/coaching to learn about our internationally-recognized programs!

Angela conquered the Open Water Swim at IM 70.3 Muncie

IRONMAN Muncie 70.3

 On Saturday, July 13th, I was able to cross the finish line in Muncie, Indiana and finally get the medal I thought would never happen!

About three years ago, I joined the Playtri Race Team and started on the journey of triathlons. In the beginning, I did only Sprint distances and then finally took the leap in May of 2017 and signed up for Wiki Wiki Man Olympic Triathlon. This would not only be my first Olympic distance but also my first open water swim in a race.  About 5 minutes into the race, I started coughing and it quickly progressed into coughing up blood. I was pulled from the race and was CareFlighted to Presby Dallas where I stayed for 3 days. After many tests, it was determined that I had SIPE (Swimming Induced Pulmonary Edema). I healed and eventually started triathlon training again. 

Fast forward to October of 2018. I was to compete in my first 70.3 in Tempe, Arizona. I trained hard for 5 months and was in the best shape of my life! I was ready but unfortunately had another case of SIPE during the swim portion of the race and had to be pulled out. Needless to say, I was crushed. I didn’t understand why this was happening and why it was happening to me! I pouted for 3 months and seriously considered giving up on triathlons all together.

With the gentle nudge from my husband (who also happens to be a triathlete), I started getting the itch to train and compete again. After doing a little research, I was able to find a research facility and started working with a great team of doctors that have worked with athletes that have had SIPE. I was cleared to continue to compete in triathlons but had to make some minor changes in order to race safely.

Muncie 70.3. I had read that this was a great race with great support and decided that this was going to be my day and I was going to cross that finish line no matter what! The water temps were in the upper 70’s so it was wetsuit optional. I was able to get through the swim without any issues! I have never smiled so big in my life when I stepped out of that water! As far as I was concerned, I had already won my medal and nothing was going to stop me now! The bike course was fast and flat. The run was hot and hilly but was bearable because of all the great volunteers and fellow athletes pushing each other along the way.

 I crossed the finish line in 6:57! I cried like a baby with my husband, who happens to be my biggest supporter, and my family. You see for me, it wasn’t about time, it was about believing in myself that I could actually accomplish something this big after all that I had been through.

I love triathlons. I love the people. I love how it can push you to believe in yourself and do things one would never think possible!

See you next year Muncie!

How One-on-One Coaching Helped Me Improve

My name is Victoria Coffee and I am from Dallas, Texas. My Playtri coach is Beth Jones. Beth has been my coach for the past 2 years. Under her coaching, I have achieved my most challenging triathlon goals. First being completing my first IRONMAN in 2018 and second would be qualifying for the 2019 70.3 IRONMAN World Championship in Nice, France.

I first met coach Beth at the Dallas Playtri store while participating in one of the group training programs as I was training for my first 70.3 IM race. Beth’s expertise in triathlon, collegiate swimming background and positive outlook, led me to requesting her as my personal Playtri coach. Having Beth as my coach drastically improved my swimming, biking and running. I have also learned the importance of key elements such as form, nutrition and rest.

At the end of each triathlon season, we meet to discuss and plan my goals for the next season. During this time, Beth captures my “A” races and builds a training plan around my schedule and resources. Beth follows the Playtri methodology of “quality workouts over quantity”. A key element to quality workouts is performance testing. With Beth I conduct bike and run heart rate testing to ensure I am training and racing at the correct intensity levels. Following workouts, Beth reviews my power, heart rate and nutrition profiles to monitor the way my body is responding to each workout and to determine my progress. Beth also uses the profiles to create my race day plans.

I am thankful for the opportunity to be coached by Beth because of her swimming background. The swim is my biggest area of opportunity. Beth conducts my swim analysis and creates workouts targeted to improve my technique and speed, based on the areas of needed improvement.

Having a Playtri Coach has made me a more confident racer. Leading up to each race I feel reassured with a peace of mind, knowing that I have completed a quality training program and am ready to take on whatever the race day may bring.

~Victoria Coffee

Learn how Coaching can help you at: Playtri.com/coachinghome

Heart Rate Training Athlete Perspective

Do I use Heart Rate or Power/pace, or just go by feel? - Professional triathlete Angela Naeth’s perspective

This is often a question I get as an athlete and coach. When training, what parameters do I use? Which are best?  

In triathlon we have the ability to look at power on the bike and pace in the pool and run. More and more information is available to us now more than ever thru our watches, GPS units etc. The instant feedback provides you with accurate data for each workout on your pace, power and energy outputs. So what is best to use? What is needed?

The answer is simple: try it and see what works.  There are many philosophies on how to train.  Personally I’m a huge advocate of creating a sound base of training using heart-rate as your guide year round. Once a solid aerobic base is established, moving toward pace/power, and going by-feel help maximize your performance come race day. 

Power provides instant feedback on the work you’re doing on a bike. It’s similar to using pace on the run and in the swim. What it doesn’t tell you is how much effort it take for you to give out that specific output or pace.  For example, let’s say you have 2 x 20minutes at 200 watts for a workout.  What does this really do to your system? Was it a moderate effort or did it leave you with nothing left in the tank. How does this reflect over time in a training progression and how do you know if you’re improving with just knowing pace/power - by perceived effort? How can that be accurate on a daily basis?  There are so many factors that come in to play - heat, humidity, wind, how much caffeine you’ve taken, nutrition, sleep patterns - ANY stress that you encounter will effect your workout. Simply looking at a number or pace doesn’t take this into account and could leave injured before you know it. 

The most accurate way to know if you’re improving is by heart rate and seeing the difference in pace/power output at that specific heart rate. Heart rate takes in account all factors - it’s your body at work! Perceived effort only takes in account how you feel. And we all know from experience that a subjective look at ourselves is the most difficult to understand on a daily basis. Using heart rate allows you to fine tune your effort level. When your pace or power is improving at a set heart it’s simple, you’re getting fitter! And if you train the right way and heart rate parameters to achieve a specific fitness (ie. aerobic base) you’re see that improvement that much faster.  Basically you’re allowing your physiology to catch up to your pace/power output for a period of output.  Lower heart rate at higher paces/power = more efficient and faster athlete. 

So what does this mean? Patient and consistency is your friend.  Use power/pace to gauge your progress not your workout. 

Once you do find that you’ve plateaued and/or built a solid base of aerobic fitness (solid output/pace at a specific aerobic heart-rate and you have been finding it difficult to see continue improvement), this is when I recommend using power/pace in your workouts at a higher pace/output in short intervals.  Form there, use your heart-rate data and aerobic efforts as a gauge to measure your fitness. If at a given heart-rate, with the increased speed workouts/intervals you’re not finding improvements, you may need to go back to more aerobic output, provide yourself with some rest and/or evaluate other stressors in your life. 

In short, heart-rate trumps. : )

Angela Naeth, Professional Triathlete
IRaceLikeAGirl.com

Get your heart rate tools at Playtri.com and performance testing at Playtri ~ https://www.playtri.com/testing/

Sweat it out, together! A New Year’s Resolution.

Sweat it out, together!  A New Year’s Resolution.

Studies that have shown that the behavior of others can strongly influence our own behavior.  We tend to adopt the behaviors, attitudes, lifestyle and habits of those that surround you. That’s why they say, surround yourself with the people you want be like, those that inspire you and build you up to be a better person. In my experience, it’s nothing but the truth.

One of the best training tips I can give is find a crew, or even one awesome friend/teammate/significant other to workout with.  Not only will you find more dedication, motivation and influence, you might just inspire others, find new levels within yourself that you never thought possible and achieve those big goals you’d only previously dreamed about. 

Whether it’s a group class, a walk in the woods, an indoor spin or Zwift workout, one of the best kept ‘secrets’ is working out with and supporting others in their endeavors.  As a professional athlete, I find myself at training camps a few times of the year - totally immersed in training with a few like-minded individuals for an intense few weeks… and find those experiences extremely motivated. But that type of intensity is not required (or even necessarily desired) for ongoing motivation and fulfillment. That’s why I decided to branch out and reach more of the community by founding, IRACELIKEAGIRL - a women’s endurance community and team. 

I’ll flashback to 2016.

I was going through a big transition in life: Divorce. Injury. I felt hurt and lonely most of the time and had little motivation to even get on a bike…much less get in shape to race. I was sitting alone with my sidekick Zoe (the cutest little Yorkie, you’ve ever seen) against the beautiful landscape in Boulder, Colorado one day when I finally knew I had to make a change. I needed to reconnect with my sense of purpose and belonging in this world.

That is where the idea for IRACELIKEAGIRL was born. I knew I wanted to create something bigger than just racing as a pro in the triathlon world. I wanted to help others become the best version of themselves and frankly, I needed to connect myself to something more significant.  Our online community is now over 200 members worldwide. I’ve made some great friends and have been able to connect with an amazing group of women that, not only support each other, but inspire. It’s been an amazing last two years, and I can’t wait to start the new year with new and familiar faces at team events, meet ups, and races. 

It’s an amazing feeling being part of another athlete’s goals in the sport. Seeing members of our team achieve their goals, fight mental barriers, push themselves in races and inspire each other with their efforts is pretty damn exciting.  

I know that when I’m out racing, I’m racing for our team. I know I’m reaching at least one person. That one person is likely reaching another. It’s the Butterfly Effect in FULL effect. There’s a bond that is created online that can be as strong as the one in the real world. I get excited when I’m racing with another team member or the chance to meet a member at races and events. When I wear something that says IRACELIKEAGIRL I’m part of something… a group of women redefining to the world what it means to race like one!   

This community is now an integral part of who I am as a person, an athlete, a coach, a friend, and a supporter. It has truly changed how I view triathlon and reaffirmed that our community is so special and unique within this sport. 

So…getting back to training with a group. What are the benefits?  MANY!

There’s a commitment and accountability when you workout with others. You can’t ‘drop out’ without being noticed. Skipping workouts become a hard thing to do when people are depending on you to be there! 

Finding partners in crime makes you push harder. Have you ever gone to an indoor time trial or FTP test?  Doing a 20-min all-out effort on a trainer is hard enough… but never am I able to push myself as hard as alone as I find myself able to in a group effort.  

Have you ridden with Zwift? It’s the same idea. The online indoor cycling platform is an opportunity to ride with people around the world! I find myself going hard for the next round, pushing up the hills, searching for a new jersey. It’s highly motivating and really taps into my inner competitiveness.

For a least a few workouts a week, opting for a group setting, meeting a friend, waking up your significant other for that morning run, may help you get to new levels for 2019.  Mental barriers that may be holding you back will be realized as you find yourself challenged more, and the positivity of everyone working toward a goal creates an atmosphere that is both fun and motivating!  

So go ahead…Sweat it out, together!   

Angela Naeth, Professional Triathlete

Founder of IRACELIKEAGIRL

To find a triathlon tribe, here are some great resources:

https://www.playtri.com/group/

https://www.iracelikeagirl.com/

Is it “normal” to feel an off-season funk?

It’s that time of year! The time where many athletes, especially those living in colder climates where snow is looming (or already on the ground) and where it’s dark by 4:00 pm, find themselves in the midst of a funk. You had some time off already following your main race (at least I hope you did!) and you’re trying to find a groove. But you miss your routine and feeling fit! 

Take one of our IRACELIKEAGIRL athletes who I was talking to the other day. She shared that since finishing her season and taking some time off, she’s had really a hard time getting back into the swing of things. 

“Getting up at 5:00 am to work out used to be no problem, now getting out of bed at any time is exhausting,” she shared. “My body feels like crap and I have almost no motivation to do anything… starting every work out is a struggle.” 

The off-season funk: Feeling unmotivated to train yet craving the routine and the strength of being fit again. Putting on the stretchy pants you had in your closet. Wanting your bed more than the 5:00 am alarm. 

So… is it “normal” to be feeling an off-season funk?  The short answer: yes, and it’s totally fine. 

Let’s talk about the off-season. Typically taking a standard 1-3 weeks to let your body heal up, rest and enjoy not moving is taken following your last race of a season. If you haven’t done this, consider taking 1-2 weeks of nothing. It’s a recharge time, in all aspects.  It’s difficult for some, but once you hit that reset button it gets easier.

While time off is necessary, there’s one little issue it can cause for athletes. And that’s lost momentum. As they say, an object in motion, stays in motion.  Once at a stop, well… we sit like rocks. It’s very hard to find the momentum to start going again. THAT’S where the off-season funk can start. Of course, this time of year doesn’t help! The cold weather, the shorter days, the busier schedules… motivation is hard to come by even on a good day! 

So just know this: You’re not alone. Many athletes find they feel more tired and sluggish during the winter.  The lack of sun and shorter days can disrupt your sleep and cause you to feel lethargic, low-energy, or just all-in- all drained.  

So how do we break it? The short answer is this: we don’t! Let the energy and motivation come back naturally. Forcing yourself to do workouts and do something you hate in the moment is simply not the way to get that energy and vitality back.  If anything, it could leave you worse off.

The better option is to create an environment that is less structured and find a balance until you start to find your spark again. This “away time” from the standard swim/bike/run provides you a mental recharge and takes the pressure off. Instead of getting angry at yourself or thinking negatively about yourself because you lack motivation, be OK with skipping a planned workout or cutting it short during this time of year. 

I’m not an expert, but I’m pretty damn sure it’s in our DNA to want hibernate, fat up and rest.  The rest of the land mammals on this planet put on that extra layer. 

Be okay with gaining a few pounds. Focus on strength. With the extra weight, less time working out, my focus turns to strength. Triathlon is a strength sport just as much as it is an endurance one.  The off season is the best time to build on this. Hit the weights more frequently!  

Most importantly, let your energy physical, mental and emotional, come back to you naturally. You’ll be fighting a losing battle if you keep trying to force it.  It will come. Afraid it won’t?  Why? The answer to that question might be your golden ticket in determining what’s really creating part of this off-season funk. 

Be kind to yourself this holiday season. Trust the process. You’ll enjoy it way more! 

Angela Naeth, Professional Triathlete and Founder of I RACE LIKE A GIRL

Finished IRONMAN FLORIDA with a little help from Playtri Bike Support

Kevin wrote:

I was having a great race until mile 41 on the bike course.  At that point I heard a loud pop and after pulling over I discovered I had a broken spoke.  I waited for bike support to come around and when someone finally stopped he originally said it could not be fixed and offered to call the sag wagon.  That hit me hard. I had done all the training and traveled all the way from Wisconsin to compete.  I have never DNF’d a race of any type and it really was deflating to think I was not going to finish because of a mechanical issue.  He then counted my cassette and called in to discover there was a spare wheel somewhere that even though the gearing was not the same as mine, he could go get it for me and let me borrow it so I could finish.  

I was so grateful that he was out there and that he did that for me.  It means so much to me to be able to compete in Ironman and his support and the fact that your company was there for me in my time of need so that I could finish what I started means the world to me.  Please pass on my deepest thank you to all your staff for being there for me when I needed them the most.  This was my 7th Ironman but luckily it was the first time I have needed support out on the course.  Thank you so much for being there and having what I needed just when I needed it.

I would love to say that I got the new wheel and my race turned out great, but it was not to be.  By losing the time with getting the new wheel, I pushed too hard on the second half of the bike and didn’t have enough left for the run, but I was so very happy to be able to finish.  It was my slowest finish in an Ironman to date, but I made it to the finish line.  That would not have been possible without the bike support people.  Thank you.

Congrats to Kevin on his 7th finish at IRONMAN from everyone at Playtri!

Chip, You are an IRONMAN!

At a very young age, training and competing became wired into my DNA. The moments where I'm going full speed and max effort are the moments when I feel most alive. As a result, I've been able to accomplish some pretty exciting things in my athletic endeavors, but a fair share of injuries have come with the territory. 

My story with Amari began at the tail end of my Crossfit "career" when I reached my last straw. After dedicating a year of my life to strict physical therapy and incremental strength progressions to recover from a shoulder operation, I discovered that my "good" shoulder was also injured. It was that moment that I felt one door closing, but I was determined to break a new one down, no matter what it took. 

Becoming an IRONMAN had always been a vague goal in the back of my mind, and I felt like there was no better time to give it a shot. Anything sounded better than another surgery and spending two back to back years doing shoulder physical therapy. There was nothing to lose. Worse case scenario, I figured I could just get the surgery if swimming wasn't going to be bearable. So, I bought a cookie cutter program online, and it went well for a month or two, but after a while I began to experience concerning amounts of shoulder and foot pain, and I felt the goal slipping away from me. I needed help. I went down the street to Playtri and explained to Amari that I needed someone to effectively prevent me from self destructing via over-training. Well, that's what she did, and much more. 

Amari took me on board, and after a few months of training with her we began to compete! I did 5-6 races last season, and felt 100% confident in my preparedness each time. From sprints to olympics to the actual IRONMAN, nothing ever really phased me mentally or physically. She developed a play-by-play game plan for each particular race. I did exactly what she said each time, and it allowed me to finish toward the maximum of my ability each time.

As fun as the races were, the real magic was built by properly executing the daily workouts, and those were the biggest challenges. Her program design and my adherence to the plan consistently built "layer after layer" of fitness, and I felt entirely equipped for success at IRONMAN Louisville. I truly enjoyed every 4-6 hour bike ride and every 4k Meter swim, because I trusted that the plan would pay off on race day. Some of my most special memories from this year were during the grueling workouts on peak weekends, where I leaned on my family, coach and friends for encourage and support. It was an incredible journey, and I'm excited to do it again next year :)

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Ryan, You are an IRONMAN!

Even if it's only as a spectator, you should absolutely go to Kona solely to experience the energy and excitement of the IRONMAN World Championship at least once (and eat some tasty food)! The Big Island is marvelous and arriving a few days early was the best decision we could have made because we got the opportunity to experience Kailua Village while it was still laid-back and quiet. There are always runners/cyclists up and down Ali'i Drive (even a week after the race), but by Thursday the crowds start coming in droves. Barricades are getting constructed, the finish line starts taking shape and if you go for a practice swim on Friday there is actually a floating coffee shop you can swim up to! Triathlon Taren was everywhere at once, vendors popped up on every available horizontal surface and by the time bike check-in started, the finish line was complete in its full tribal-drumming, technicolor glory.

If you haven't heard by now, I actually got the opportunity to participate in this race and I'll tell you - It was an experience I will never forget, but race morning started a little rocky.

For starters, Ali'i drive was blocked to the public and the shuttles that were supposed to take athletes into town never made an appearance. I forgot my pre-race breakfast in my girlfriend's bag along with my phone so there was no way to contact her. Thankfully I had a cornucopia of snacks in my own bag, thanks to the brilliant foresight of my coach, but it wasn't my normal PBJ + Banana and that made me a little nervous. Worst of all, I learned right before I got into the water that my heart rate monitor wasn't working which could easily ruin my entire bike ride! On the flip side, I passed within a foot of Patrick Lange on the way to the swim start and if that's not good luck I don't know what is! You're welcome, Patrick ;)

The swim at Kona is a mass start out in the water, which means you swim out of the shallows and tread water for several minutes before the cannon goes off. I had practiced for this in the pool and the treading itself wasn't really an issue, but I what I didn't plan for was being jostled and whacked by everyone around me several minutes before the swim even started. I was most worried about getting beaten to death when the cannon finally fired, but somehow I was actually spared a good amount of thrashing. I got kicked in the face a couple of minutes in, but it was honestly more disorienting than painful, and the water wasn't too choppy. The tide was fairly strong though, and at one point found that I had drifted further to the left than I was entirely comfortable with so I adjusted my course. Time flew from there and before I knew it the boats that mark the turnaround were in sight and I was on my way back! While the swim back felt longer, I could actually see the shore, so the view, while I was breathing anyway, was infinitely more engaging than the endless ocean views of the first half and I soon found myself stumbling up the stairs!

Fascinating fact: my bike was directly under the giant, inflatable Gatorade bottle so it was very easy to find. There were people cheering everywhere when I left T1 and it with so many people watching it was very hard not to bust up Palani hill like it was a sprint. Luckily I had been well coached on exactly how to perform and what the consequences might be if I didn't. The roads were the smoothest I have ever encountered and the first thirty miles were smooth sailing. After you get onto the highway the ride is fairly flat, but pretty soon course turns into either a slow, shallow climb or rolling hills. Once you hit Kawaihae though, it's almost entirely up-hill - not super steep but enough to slow things down, and it seems like it's never going to end. Since I didn't have the benefit of my HR monitor and I'm not quite as comfortable racing on power alone, I  tried to constantly monitor how I was feeling and stay relaxed so I wouldn't use too much energy. In hindsight, I probably could have given it more gas, but I was afraid to risk it. After the u-turn in Hawi, it's downhill for miles and it feels fantastic! It was the best possible reward for all of that hard work because I was flying at 30 mph for miles! It flattened back out after a while and there were a few of the same rolling hills from before, but overall the ride was infinitely nicer and I made up some of the time I lost climbing for so long.

Back at T2, I learned to fully appreciate just how gigantic the transition area at Kona is! I had to walk around the entire perimeter before I even got to the changing tent! I tried to jog, but my legs still felt a little wobbly and I had to take my cleats off. I was taking a little too long in transition, so I decided to eat my snacks while I hiked up Palani to make up for lost time.

As I started the marathon, the sun was starting to set but it was still pretty hot. There were a few moments where I started to feel a little gross, but walking helped and thankfully the temperature kept dropping. I was feeling much better by the time I made it back into town the first time, and shortly after - I kid you not - Daniela Ryf rode by on a pink beach cruiser and cheered for me. It sounds like a hallucination and I admit that I was a little skeptical myself, but I found out the next day that it really was her! It started to rain around mile 10, which wasn't entirely a bad thing because it kept me cool but it came down pretty hard at times. When I finally got to The Natural Energy Lab, it wasn't at all what I expected because I was slogging through water! I could still feel some of the residual heat coming off of the pavement though, even with the rain. I made a quick pit-stop at special needs and by the time I made it back to the Queen K I only had about 9 miles left and was happily re-fuelled.

Somehow, I was ahead of schedule and miraculously still feeling happy to be there! I was honestly a little concerned that my watch might be malfunctioning so I asked someone nearby what time it was just to be safe (the watch was fine) and realized that I was talking to Kathleen McCartney. Since I had verified that I was indeed running ahead of schedule, I decided to play it cool, act like I didn't know she was a Kona winner and walk with her for a few minutes because how many opportunities would I get to do that?! We were only about 3 miles away from the finish by this time and could hear Mike Reilly and the crowd in the distance. She told me "once you make the final turn onto Palani you feel like you're floating the last two miles. It is the most amazing sensation you will ever experience". It was so true. Once I made that turn it was downhill almost the entire way to Ali'i and I had no trouble running the last two miles (I will admit I walked for a minute to collect myself before turned the corner to the finisher shoot. I didn't want to pass out on the carpet!). What a rush! Everybody wants to give you a high-five and I tried to slap as many hands as I could! It was complete sensory overload! The lights were so bright and it was so loud and absolutely exhilarating at the same time. I was honestly just hoping to cross by midnight, but by some miracle was 11:10 pm when I finally crossed the finish line after 15 hours and 50 minutes and Mike Reilly announced me as an IRONMAN! 

I'm still a little bit in disbelief that it actually happened. I am even more shocked at how fun the actual race was! I went into it fully prepared to be physically crushed and mentally brutalized. Don't get me wrong, it was definitely the most challenging thing I've ever done, and it did hurt sometimes, but in my mind, I had prepared for a torturous experience that I would hate until I made it to the finish and relish in the fact that I survived. The fact is though, I was prepared and are so many inspiring and positive people around the entire time that the positivity seeps into you no matter how bad you feel and you can't help but be joyful at what you're experiencing. I made a point to remind myself regularly to have a good time - I might never have the opportunity to have this experience again, so I took the time to "stop and smell the roses" which I wouldn't have done if it were any other race. After I crossed, got my medal and had a minute to sit down, I went to the finish line to watch the rest of the finishers come through. I got to be there when the oldest man to ever compete crossed the finish line and I was able to snag a spot at the front of the barricade to watch the closing ceremony for the perfect end to the best 17 hours of my entire life. 

My eternal gratitude to my amazing Coach Amari Holmes - I could have NEVER accomplished this without you! My Playtri family (and the biological one) for your incredible support and constant humor, Mel Nwaokai for keeping my body injury free, my friends Bo and Bobby for coming all the way to Hawaii to catch me at the finish line and my beautiful Jessica for putting up with me for almost a year of insanity and for being a super sherpa!

Congrats Ryan from everyone at Playtri! We loved following your journey and are so proud of you!!