Stay Present to the Journey, Always Race with Gratitude, and Never Give Up
by Christa L.
My Ironman Wisconsin 2025 race day was such an emotional and JOYFUL day! 
I absolutely could not have had the day I had out there without the unending support of my amazing husband and coach, the exuberant ET Cheer Crew, my inspiring fellow ET Ironman Wisconsin teammates , and my angels in Heaven 
I absolutely could not have had the day I had out there without the unending support of my amazing husband and coach, the exuberant ET Cheer Crew, my inspiring fellow ET Ironman Wisconsin teammates , and my angels in Heaven
To my husband and coach, Joe LoPresto – to say that I could not get to one start line without you is an understatement of the largest kind. You are my rock – my heart and my soul 
I could not do life without you. Your love, patience, and caring is the greatest blessing in my life. Thank you for loving and believing in me only the way you can – you have made ALL the difference in my life. To be able to race with pure love and joy in my heart is so much a reflection of our love. I LOVE YOU SO INCREDIBLY MUCH and will never have adequate words to describe just how much you mean to me and how grateful I am for all that you do 
I could not do life without you. Your love, patience, and caring is the greatest blessing in my life. Thank you for loving and believing in me only the way you can – you have made ALL the difference in my life. To be able to race with pure love and joy in my heart is so much a reflection of our love. I LOVE YOU SO INCREDIBLY MUCH and will never have adequate words to describe just how much you mean to me and how grateful I am for all that you do
The way you have so thoughtfully and carefully planned my training to continuously make me a more durable athlete over the past 3 Ironman training seasons is incredible! When you first started coaching me 5 years ago you told me there would be a day in years to come where I wouldn’t have to worry about my recurring injuries, that I would become stronger and more durable – at that time years ago I wanted to believe you, but I just didn’t think it would ever happen to me because of those nagging recurring injuries. During several long training runs this season I would get emotional because I was running without pain and running strong and I was just SO thankful that you have brought me this far in my running journey and thankful to be able to train the way that I do. I AM A BELIEVER! 
This Ironman Wisconsin 26.2 mile run was a true testament to all the hard work we’ve done together as coach and athlete to make this happen! You continue to show me my full potential as an athlete and I know I still have room to grow – that excites me more than you can know! You continue to inspire me every day in the way that you coach, lead, and inspire. THANK YOU for all that you do for me and all of us ET athletes
This Ironman Wisconsin 26.2 mile run was a true testament to all the hard work we’ve done together as coach and athlete to make this happen! You continue to show me my full potential as an athlete and I know I still have room to grow – that excites me more than you can know! You continue to inspire me every day in the way that you coach, lead, and inspire. THANK YOU for all that you do for me and all of us ET athletes
To the incredible athletes, friends, and families that comprise the ET Cheer Crew…THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart for making my race day so meaningful To take the time to come up to Madison and show your support touched my heart so very much. I feel that was truly reflected in the way I raced with JOY all day and night (even in the tough moments) because I was racing for so many people that I care about…thank you from the bottom of my heart! 
To take the time to come up to Madison and show your support touched my heart so very much. I feel that was truly reflected in the way I raced with JOY all day and night (even in the tough moments) because I was racing for so many people that I care about…thank you from the bottom of my heart!
To my fellow Experience Triathlon Ironman Wisconsin teammates (my “Ironman Bros” as I call them 
) thank you for inspiring me out on the course on race day and throughout our entire training season! It got me pumped to see you out there CRUSHING the course and to give and get high fives and words of encouragement. It was very meaningful to be racing as teammates and not just as individuals. I felt very proud that we were all out there representing #TeamET
) thank you for inspiring me out on the course on race day and throughout our entire training season! It got me pumped to see you out there CRUSHING the course and to give and get high fives and words of encouragement. It was very meaningful to be racing as teammates and not just as individuals. I felt very proud that we were all out there representing #TeamET
There were several “signs” that my angels in Heaven were with me during race weekend and especially on race day Let’s start with the absolute PERFECT weather that was ordered up on race day! 
After the freezing moonsoon Ironman Wisconsin of 2022, the main reason I wanted to come back and race again in Wisconsin this year was to hopefully have “a more typical weather day.” I didn’t ask for it to be perfect, just a more typical Ironman Madison day – with fall-like temps and a lot of spectators out and about on the bike and run course. Wow did my angels order up the most absolute BEAUTIFUL day! Having all the spectators out there this time around made it so much FUN! I basically “partied” with any group of people I saw out on the bike – especially my group of ET peeps – the orange crew! 
Let’s start with the absolute PERFECT weather that was ordered up on race day! After the freezing moonsoon Ironman Wisconsin of 2022, the main reason I wanted to come back and race again in Wisconsin this year was to hopefully have “a more typical weather day.” I didn’t ask for it to be perfect, just a more typical Ironman Madison day – with fall-like temps and a lot of spectators out and about on the bike and run course. Wow did my angels order up the most absolute BEAUTIFUL day! Having all the spectators out there this time around made it so much FUN! I basically “partied” with any group of people I saw out on the bike – especially my group of ET peeps – the orange crew!
The day before the race Lorena took a picture of Joe and I walking on the helix – there was a sun ray coming down from the sky right over my head in several pics she took, without knowing about my mom, Debbi, in heaven, she said “look, you have an angel watching over you” 
I know for sure that was my mom Another sign that my angels were with me on race day was Joe had a dream about having a conversation with someone about Notre Dame football and about how there was a nun praying they would win right before he woke up on race morning – this is completely random as he is Badger through and through! Being an Irish Catholic south-sider, I was raised to worship Notre Dame football 
(my grandma, Rosie, used to put holy water on top of her tv for the ND games). She decided to make an appearance from heaven on race day too! I got sick a few days before race day and woke up at 1am on race morning feeling miserable. I laid there wondering how I was even going to get to the start line feeling the way I did. When Joe woke up to the alarm and told me about his dream I knew I had my heavenly angels with me and I knew all my earthly angels (my husband, friends, and the ET Cheer Crew) would help get me through on this race day too!
I know for sure that was my mom Another sign that my angels were with me on race day was Joe had a dream about having a conversation with someone about Notre Dame football and about how there was a nun praying they would win right before he woke up on race morning – this is completely random as he is Badger through and through! Being an Irish Catholic south-sider, I was raised to worship Notre Dame football (my grandma, Rosie, used to put holy water on top of her tv for the ND games). She decided to make an appearance from heaven on race day too! I got sick a few days before race day and woke up at 1am on race morning feeling miserable. I laid there wondering how I was even going to get to the start line feeling the way I did. When Joe woke up to the alarm and told me about his dream I knew I had my heavenly angels with me and I knew all my earthly angels (my husband, friends, and the ET Cheer Crew) would help get me through on this race day too!
I always try to give the best I can give on any race day – I try not to put hard time goals in my head because yes it’s something to strive for and to continue to improve upon, but to me it’s not the most important part of racing. I try my best to stay present to the journey, always remain thankful (even in the hard times), and give all I can give on that given day. I try to turn any trials and tribulations into a positive – this outlook has really helped me to grow as a person, as an athlete, and as a coach over the years (another nod to Joe’s influence on my life ).
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I could have come out of my swim disappointed that my time was slower than my IMWI swim in 2022, but I set my expectations accordingly going in knowing that swim training hasn’t been my primary focus these past two seasons – I have spent most of my time on the bike and run. I was elated to get through the swim calmly (it seemed much more crowded and “busy” than I remember) and I just used it as fire to push the bike a bit more! 
I had an absolute BLAST on the bike course! “Hellen Wheels” (my tri bike 
) and I were really just loving life out there! 
I got to ride the course confidently, strategically, and most of all while saying “thank you” to every police officer at every intersection for taking their time to help us, thanking the row of volunteers at every aid station even if I wasn’t stopping there, and acknowledging and embracing the joy of all the spectators and really having fun with them! This doesn’t mean I am not giving it my all- it’s racing with love, joy, and gratitude in my heart at all times – which helps me give it my all!
) and I were really just loving life out there! I got to ride the course confidently, strategically, and most of all while saying “thank you” to every police officer at every intersection for taking their time to help us, thanking the row of volunteers at every aid station even if I wasn’t stopping there, and acknowledging and embracing the joy of all the spectators and really having fun with them! This doesn’t mean I am not giving it my all- it’s racing with love, joy, and gratitude in my heart at all times – which helps me give it my all!
I had so much fun on the bike that I knew I “overcooked” it a bit and was willing to take whatever consequences presented themselves on the run – to me it was worth it! (I had a challenging bike leg at Ironman Florida 10 months prior, so to be riding strong and having fun made it all worth it!) I would stick with my run-pacing plan as long as I could and I was able to do that until about mile 17, which was just mind-blowing to me! I was still running strong up until that point – I was just so proud and happy (Of course seeing Joe and the ET Cheer Crew several times throughout the run always gave me an extra boost of love and energy ) I started to get a bit fatigued around mile 17-18 and started to slow down a bit for two miles or so, but during that time I stayed calm, kept running, and adapted my nutrition strategy. I started to get a second wind around mile 20 and just kept hanging in. My biggest Madison run goal was to seek redemption on the uphills since I chose early on in 2022 to walk up them because of the recurring calf issues I had going on at that time – I was relentless this time running up all the uphills! Mind over matter! I also took many walking breaks in 2022, this time I was running the whole time (other than my planned short walk breaks through the aid stations) and I was just so proud and so, so happy!!! This was a true testament to the JOURNEY of hard work, dedication, and a positive and strong mental attitude. I gave all that I had left to give for that last mile – once you get back near the capital, you begin to hear the Ironman announcer and the crowd, and the adrenaline starts to go full throttle again! I got emotional as I was about to enter the finish chute because I knew I gave it my all and raced with my whole heart fully open on display on this Ironman day Turning into the finish chute and having those lights by the finish line blind you “and guide you home” as you make the turn into the chute is one of the absolute best feelings in the world! I was bawling but also getting the crowd pumped up as I came through. I was high-fiving, sobbing, and had my fists in the air as I came flying across the finish!
(Of course seeing Joe and the ET Cheer Crew several times throughout the run always gave me an extra boost of love and energy ) I started to get a bit fatigued around mile 17-18 and started to slow down a bit for two miles or so, but during that time I stayed calm, kept running, and adapted my nutrition strategy. I started to get a second wind around mile 20 and just kept hanging in. My biggest Madison run goal was to seek redemption on the uphills since I chose early on in 2022 to walk up them because of the recurring calf issues I had going on at that time – I was relentless this time running up all the uphills! Mind over matter! I also took many walking breaks in 2022, this time I was running the whole time (other than my planned short walk breaks through the aid stations) and I was just so proud and so, so happy!!! This was a true testament to the JOURNEY of hard work, dedication, and a positive and strong mental attitude. I gave all that I had left to give for that last mile – once you get back near the capital, you begin to hear the Ironman announcer and the crowd, and the adrenaline starts to go full throttle again! I got emotional as I was about to enter the finish chute because I knew I gave it my all and raced with my whole heart fully open on display on this Ironman day Turning into the finish chute and having those lights by the finish line blind you “and guide you home” as you make the turn into the chute is one of the absolute best feelings in the world! I was bawling but also getting the crowd pumped up as I came through. I was high-fiving, sobbing, and had my fists in the air as I came flying across the finish!
I came across the line with happy and proud tears and immediately walked over to thank, hug, and kiss Joe – the one that makes it all happen. I sobbed on his shoulder while he tightly held me and told me how proud of me he was Thinking of that moment will always bring grateful tears to my eyes I worked my way emotionally down the line to thank and hug all the #ETfam that were there to support…it meant the world to have them there I tried to express my profound gratitude to each and every single one. I proudly hugged and commiserated with my fellow ET Ironman bros – I was SO proud and happy for them – they slayed it out there!
Thinking of that moment will always bring grateful tears to my eyes I worked my way emotionally down the line to thank and hug all the #ETfam that were there to support…it meant the world to have them there I tried to express my profound gratitude to each and every single one. I proudly hugged and commiserated with my fellow ET Ironman bros – I was SO proud and happy for them – they slayed it out there!
The moment after you cross an Ironman finish line and are able to embrace “your people” after being out there all day and night fighting through your own struggles is the most life-giving feeling. Thinking of getting those hugs, those moments, is what drove me to finish the race strong!
For those of you that know me, I am not “the best” at math, especially math that is done while also trying to exercise! 
I was trying to do “mental math” while I was running to see where I thought my overall finish time would be. I was pretty sure I could finish in under 14 hours – which I was super happy with. Even when crossing the finish line I had no idea where I ended up. After eventually asking my peeps what my finish time was after I had been finished for a while they told me I finished in 13:26:22 and that I got 10th place in my age group – both of those things were mind blowing to me! I took an hour and 25 minutes off of my 2022 Ironman Wisconsin time and I would end up with an Ironman run PR by 21 minutes. Again, I don’t tend to focus on the numbers, but when the numbers further reflect your hard work, your dedication, and your heart – it makes you even more proud 
I was trying to do “mental math” while I was running to see where I thought my overall finish time would be. I was pretty sure I could finish in under 14 hours – which I was super happy with. Even when crossing the finish line I had no idea where I ended up. After eventually asking my peeps what my finish time was after I had been finished for a while they told me I finished in 13:26:22 and that I got 10th place in my age group – both of those things were mind blowing to me! I took an hour and 25 minutes off of my 2022 Ironman Wisconsin time and I would end up with an Ironman run PR by 21 minutes. Again, I don’t tend to focus on the numbers, but when the numbers further reflect your hard work, your dedication, and your heart – it makes you even more proud
Ironman Wisconsin 2025 will end up going down as one of the happiest, most joyful, and meaningful days in my life. THANK YOU to all that were a part of that day and continue be part of my journey – I will always be grateful
#ETfam #TeamET #ETway #ETsn80 #daretobecome #nolimits #alwaysbegratefult
