Athlete Stories

by Danni D. If you had told me that I’d one day complete an Ironman, I would have laughed and said, “There’s no way—I don’t even know how to swim!” I have run several marathons before, but triathlon training was an entirely different world. I didn’t even start small—I skipped right past sprint and Olympic […]

by David H. Chicago Marathon 2025! I’ll pat myself on the back for two things. From my last participation, in 2017, I knew to have warm-ups for the long, cool wait in the start corral. Lots of people had them. The clothes get tossed to volunteers before you stroll toward the start line and it […]

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 […]

by Eric R. As people and as athletes we tend to like to be able to anticipate life’s events as much as we can. Naturally, we get surprises, but, overall, we like things best when they go about as we expect them to. This is especially true for the morning of races. Athletes have their […]

by Coach Christa As Joe and I spent many hours driving to Florida from Illinois to celebrate our #ironmoon at Ironman Florida 2024 (because who doesn’t celebrate their honeymoon by racing in an Ironman together?! : ) I had the chance to reflect on the journey to this Ironman. This would be my second Ironman […]

by Joanie K. After 2 years of physical therapy following ACL/meniscus/LCL surgery in 2023—and a lifetime of battling injuries from overtraining—I finally found a better way forward. Thanks to Christa’s coaching and encouragement and Joe with Experience Triathlon Coaching Services, I’ve spent the last 3 months training smart, staying injury-free, and gaining confidence I didn’t know […]

By Coach Joe A few days before the race, a friend asked, “So, what are your goals”? I told him… Have fun, Race hard, Don’t quit, and Enjoy our honeymoon (#ironmoon). I’m happy to say that we “crushed” it. There are no easy races. Every event provides challenges, often driven by the weather. Heat, humidity, […]

by Joe C. Ironman Wisconsin 2024 became a spiritual journey. Of course, there were many challenges that day, both physical and mental, but I felt the need to share about the battle that was going on in my head and save the rest of the story for another day. My morning was pretty typical pre-race […]

by Jill D. Two years ago as I was driving south on Washington Street in Naperville, I saw the sign for the ET Naperville Sprint Triathlon. I started to wonder if I was capable of completing a triathlon. I looked up training plans online to see what was involved. I’d been an athlete in high […]

by Lauren M. For the past few years, It’s been a goal of mine to run a spring break marathon abroad. Last year, I ran the Rome marathon in Italy. It gives me something to look forward to during our winter months and keeps me running! This past training cycle was my first time using […]

by Christine K. Last fall, I completed an Ironman triathlon after six months of training almost every day. I placed second-to-last in an age group of nearly 40 athletes, finishing with less than half an hour to spare before the course cut off. This year, I ran a single 5K this year without training. I […]

by Eric R. Anyone who has been in triathlon or any endurance sport has heard the phrase, “you can’t control the weather on race day,” or maybe you’ve also been told to, “expect the unexpected” during long distance races.  These phrases now take on more of a personal meaning for me after this season. My […]

by Tara G. Whenever I sign up for a race the thought of finishing last runs through my mind. Race days are uncontrollable in many ways, from the weather to what illness is going around you just hope at the starting line you are the best version of yourself on that day. My journey to […]

by Joe C. We all have our why triathlon … mine started when i cross-trained to maintain fitness while I rehabbed runners knee. I got in the pool and learned to swim. It was there the crazy thought came to mind, “hey you can do a triathlon now” so I did some open water swimming […]

by Vishal K. Ironman Wisconsin 2023 race day is here!! PreRace: I began my day at approximately 4 am, enjoyed a good breakfast, did my warmups, packed all my belongings, and made my way to Monona Terrace. Upon arrival, I revisited the transition area and gear drop-off point to ensure everything was in order. Met […]

By Michael P. Ironman Finisher I have discovered that in life there is something very unique about the joy that is found in sharing experiences with others. As athletes, we all have our stories of success and failure, health and sickness, and all of the other experiences that make us who we are. They are […]

Thank you, Coach Joe, for your checking-in text. I’m doing great today. A bit sluggish yesterday, but up and about today doing errands. I followed our race game plan. Your coaching got me through this! One of the best swim times I ever had. 1:34:30. Your tips on the two stroke breathing was just what […]

by Shashwat C. Coming from a running background, one day I just got motivated to up my game and enter the world of triathlon. So far I only had heard stories and theories about triathlons from others. It was time to experience them myself. That’s when I met Coach Joe LoPresto of Experience Triathlon Coaching […]

by Chris H. I did my first outdoor triathlon in June 2014. I had to learn how to swim, and had to borrow a bicycle because I did not have one. That short race in Knox County, Indiana was supposed to be a “one-and-done,” but instead I got hooked on triathlon, mostly because of Experience […]

by Andrew F. It’s pre-dawn and the day is young. The feat ahead seems daunting and impossible for those in the arena and the bleachers alike. The veins are flooded with dopamine and angst, yet the greatest hurdles, discomforts, and successes are still to come. The uncertainty, the doubt, the pride, the passion and the unknown […]

by David H. I’m training for my next Ironman as my next-level Ironman. My first Ironman finish, Ironman Wisconsin 2021, was one of the most satisfying experiences of my life, but I won’t be satisfied to simply repeat the experience. I learned so much from that day, so rather than just racing harder next time, […]

From “Never” to Ironman – Achieving the (IM)possible by Eric R. It’s been 4 days and I’m still wearing the athlete wristband after my finish at Ironman Maryland.  I guess it’s because I am still in awe and wonder of what I was just able to accomplish, perhaps thinking that this was some sort of […]

by Jeff R. Ten years ago I may have been the last person you imagined would finish an Ironman. I wasn’t particularly athletic growing up, including a season of Little League where I collected exactly one hit. (“You were destined for more than little league,” a fellow Ironman would later tell me.) I was cut […]

I am an Athlete by Nicole C. I am many things. A loyal friend. A devoted wife. A tired mom of two littles. A focused leader at work. But until recently, I would never have called myself an athlete. I am a goal-driven person. That’s probably why I signed up for the Experience Triathlon Naperville […]

My Journey to Age Group Nationals by Jeff R. January 14, 2020: l said out loud I was going to qualify for USAT Age Group National Championships After some good performances in a few races, I realized qualification for AGNC was within reach. I decided to focus on short course racing in 2020 and try […]

by Jeff R. I love to run hills. That’s a lie. But I love the challenge for running up and down hills, and what it reveals about us as runners and people. My previous half marathon racing strategy was something akin to, “Run fast and hold on tight.” And that kind of worked. I saw […]

by Laura L. My story of redemption started long before this year (2021). In order to understand it all, I’m splitting it up into chapters so you all can get the full picture! Chapter 1 – Ironman Louisville, 2018 IMLou was my first one. Race day started with temps in the upper 40’s with rain. […]

By Tara G. We all know how 2020 turned out. When My CT Half ironman race in May of 2020 was cancelled and not offered in 2021 I had to pick from 4 events (Texas, Wisconsin, New York and Maryland) I did the old-”this one sounds good” after ruling out NY as it was ET […]

by Christa K. It’s been over 48 hours, and I am still trying to process all the emotions and put those into words here after completing my first Ironman 70.3 race. Not sure I’ll be able to adequately express my feelings of complete thankfulness and gratitude, but here it goes…(warning: dissertation-length post ahead ; ) […]

by David H. I chose to compete in Leon’s Triathlon, June 6, 2021, because of when it was scheduled. At two weeks before Ironman 70.3 Des Moines, the Hammond, Indiana, the event seemed like a reasonable opportunity to get in a practice Olympic-distance race. But Leon’s is significant to me for another reason. In 2018, […]

by Jeff R. My first goal was to race with love and to enjoy the day. I wanted to remember why I loved this sport. I wanted to not judge my success or failure this day on a number. Sure I wanted to PR, and I prepared hard for it, but the weather conditions – […]

by Jeff R. I had been a self-coached triathlete for over 5 years. I saw nice progress, finished two 70.3 races, was serious about training, and generally thought I didn’t need a coach – I was doing fine on my own. But to do this, I spent hours every day looking up training resources, planning […]

by Elena D. What a s**t show!  An absolute s**t show with the most prolonged ending ever.  I never thought I would see the finish line.  As I sit here now reflecting on the one race that did not get cancelled in 2020, I just think to myself in disbelief, “How the hell did I […]

by Tara G. It’s getting real-the workouts are getting longer, my body is feeling stronger. Ironman Wisconsin is officially 7 months away now! Training in the winter in Boston can be tough. Thankfully we have had a mild winter-every year at this time I simply imagine longer days of sunlight and beach sand to get […]

by Elena D. Dear Boss (a.k.a. Coach Suzy), While I was feeling great at lunch and was under the delusion that I would make it through this shit show with my beautiful hair intact, as fate would have it, things have taken a drastic turn.  I woke up yesterday with literal clumps of hair coming […]

by Marijo W. When I became a Triathlete, I knew it was a life changing decision.  What I didn’t realize is was a lifesaving decision. The “C” Word On March 26th, 2018 my life was turned upside down. I was diagnosed with Stage III Colorectal Cancer after my first colonoscopy.  My thought was, wait Doc, […]

by Claire B. Shoulder to shoulder, chest deep in the water of Centennial Beach, we stood on the concrete wall and focused on the smiling blonde woman treading water in front of us.  It was my first Experience Triathlon (ET) open water swim clinic with my new swim buddy.  We were both wearing our brand-new […]

by Debbie B. Running the Chicago Marathon for the first time took 25 years.  The dream was born while watching an old boss run the Cleveland Marathon to celebrate his 40th birthday 25 years ago.  Well life happened as it does, and the years passed. I started running with a group of wonderful ladies and […]

By Amy B. WARNING: If you want to run a rain-free race, do NOT sign up for any marathon that I am participating in.  Based on true statistics, if you run with me, you are 100% guaranteed to be wet and cold.  Proceed with caution (or at least a good pair of socks, lots of […]

by Todd H. It was the summer of 1982 when the thought of trying to be something like a triathlete first came up.  A friend at the time, Cam W.and I, were hanging out at his parent’s farm checking out his brother’s El Camino and riding their 3-wheeler, in Woodstock, IL.  Cam said he wanted […]

by Bob M. First, I am overwhelmed with humility and gratitude as I look back on the Mighty Mac Swim. For me, the race was a true bucket list accomplishment. Over the last several days, I have rehearsed the emotions and grandeur of what happened. They, at times, choke me up.  Just taking on a […]

by Brittany E. So there I was sitting across from my new boss discussing what was going well (bedside manner) and what was going less well (efficiency slowed down by the reluctance to be interrupted and change tasks quickly). “Oh and before I forget, I need you to come up with your PPF’s.” “My what?” […]

by Kathy S. Hello fellow Triathletes, Yesterday was the first day I actually said those words out loud “I am a triathlete”, after finishing the Olympic distance Tri at the ET Lake Zürich triathlon….but let’s back up a bit. See, I had the bright idea in October of 2017,  on my 49th birthday I would […]

By Tara G. January 1, 2019. 2 kids, self-made career, and busy life later I longed to get back to my high school and college track and field team workout and competition days. I made a promise to my 16 year old self when I was in the peak of my athletic career-having found a […]

by Jennie F. It started as a bucket list idea to complete the full Ironman by age of 40, and I got reminded of this bucket list item as I turned 37, and I figured, since I know nothing about racing triathlons, I need to start now. I signed up for the half Ironman at […]

by Trish S. This was my retirement year.  After spending several years as an Illinois state employee and watching new retirees get diagnosed with stress related illnesses with some dying, I decided to retire a year earlier than originally planned.  This was to allow for further participation in activities I enjoy … cycling, hiking, running/walking […]

by Chris H. Without a doubt, my first thank you for Ironman Chatta 70.3 this year must go to Coach Joe LoPresto of Experience Triathlon Personal Coaching Services. My first half Ironman triathlon (Racine “16) was total misery, even though the swim was canceled and the bike was shortened because of bad weather. I told […]

By Mike S. I had been looking forward to Ironman Wisconsin 2018 for a year.  Some would say I was obsessed with it.  Maybe I was.  It was certainly one of the most difficult physical and mental challenges I would ever undertake.  I wanted to prove to myself that there isn’t a goal that I […]

By Kim S. About a year ago, I started thinking that a full Ironman may be in my future.  But I also knew that, for me, the most challenging aspect of Ironman would be mental…fighting those doubts and negative thoughts that creep in during training and racing.  I had raced a 70.3 in 2016 and […]

by Amy B. If you had asked me 5 years ago which would be more likely – me winning the Mega Millions Lottery or me finishing a marathon (let alone two marathons) – I would have whole-heartedly responded with winning the Lottery.  One of those two things happened, and – spoiler alert – I did […]

by Ganesh P. My wife Latha and I got into running in 2012 to embrace a healthy lifestyle, inspired by my brother Harish and sister in law Aparna. Over the years, the Pai family trained and raced in several 5K/10Ks, half and full marathons. I ran the Chicago Marathon in 2014 and have done close to […]

by Kirsten W.  From an early age my dad always told me everything that happens in life is part of your story. Sometimes things are going to happen to further your story in the direction that you had planned, while other times things are going to happen in your life that are going to deter […]

by Jill S. To understand my story, you need to know a little about me to start.  Growing up, I was never an athletic kid, I was more on the academic side and interested in music.  I was always trying to find a way out of gym class.  There were some sports, but it was […]

by Amy B. Dedicated to my husband Charlie for agreeing to go on this crazy journey with me and for continually pushing me.  To my wonderful coach, Coach Suzy Cerra, who made the perfect plan for me to be able to run confidently and succeed in my first marathon.  To my Mom for her unwavering […]

By Jayme C. After finishing my first half Ironman in August 2015 and having a fantastic race year overall, I herniated a disc playing touch football with my kids Thanksgiving morning.  Anyone who has had such an injury will instantly know the level of pain associated with this type of injury.  In my case, the […]

by Steve B. Before I share my day with you, please allow me to say thank you to several people that were a key part in getting me across the finish line for my third IM.  Coach Joe LoPresto, I could not have done this without your help and push to keep me accountable, thanks […]

by Maggie W. Today I completed the ET Naperville Sprint Triathlon for the fourth time.  This is the only race I have raced each year since starting triathlon in 2014.  It has also been a fairly consistent race course over those four years (the only difference is the bike in 2014-2015 was 20k and the […]

By Nicki Anderson. CEO. Naperville Area Chamber of Commerce I’m a runner, always have been. Well, at least for the last 35 years. Sure, there were phases while raising my family that I let it go, but running has always been my refuge. Some of my greatest ideas or solutions were the byproduct of a […]

by Kendra F. I’m a marathon runner.  I’ve been running for years.  I even Boston Qualified last year in Chicago. So what’s the next challenge?  Well, it had to be an Ironman.  The Ultimate Challenge. So I bought a bike and hired a coach and signed up for Ironman Lake Placid 2017. Oh boy, guess […]

by Maggie W. This past weekend I accomplished my goal of racing in a half Ironman at Racine.  However, getting there was not smooth.  In fact, my journey to Racine was very much like the bumpy and hilly roads we had to ride on at the race. I started with personalized coaching through ET in […]

by Sue S. Around 10-12 years ago I started doing triathlons at the encouragement of a co-worker, who has since passed away. Julie inspired me to “tri.” I did and it was a lot of fun. I trained by myself mostly and used the triathlon books to create workouts. What I found is that I […]

by Emily O. As I’m sitting on a plane flanked by my mother and sister on our way to Napa for some POST Ironman R&R, I finally had the opportunity to go through all of the pictures and videos (Thanks, Daddy) from Ironman Wisconsin 2016 on Sunday. It’s amazing to reflect not only on this […]

by John D. 3 clicks? What the heck does that mean? 3 clicks was my comfort, it meant my day was wrapping up and everything for the rest of the day was going to be ok. My journey to this sport (which we should really call a lifestyle) started back in March of 2015. I […]

by Laurie S. It was going to rain and I was not happy about it.  All week, the weather had predicted anything from a drizzle to a downpour for the 2017 Indy Mini half marathon in Indianapolis.  On race day morning, it was overcast and radar showed a storm bearing down on the course.  As […]

by Amy B. I do not like to be told I can’t do something.  So when I suggested to my husband last Fall that I wanted to do the Naperville Women’s Half Marathon in April and he laughed, I was not happy.  Of course I can’t blame him for that reaction…for years I talked about […]

by Chad B. Five years ago I was standing in the men’s department at Sears staring at the clothes rack in disbelief.  I knew I needed size 38 pants because the size 36 I was wearing were squeezing my guts.  “Man, didn’t I just trade up to the 36 from 34?” I said, now approaching […]

by Robert D. Looking for a change in my life, I started running about five years ago. When I first started I couldn’t run a block if my life depended on it. Little by little, I started getting better, so I signed up for the Shamrock Shuffle 8K and finished. I was hooked after that. […]

by Elena D. My journey to Augusta can be summed up with the above two phrases.  The first:  You are unlimited. You are unlimited came to me through my coach, Suzy Cerra.  These were not words that she spoke to me or had me recite to myself over and over as some mental exercise.  These […]

by Dave J. It’s been a couple weeks since I was standing on the helix looking out over a lake as smooth as glass thinking about what was about to happen. Still today I can’t help but smile. In the pre-dawn darkness that was a whirlwind of preparations leading up to the actual start of […]

by Dick J. Ok, so have you really ever eaten crow, or had a huge helping of humble pie????  Well this past year I am happy to say that I had a huge helping of both!  You see, about a year ago I decided that I wanted to do a 70.3 half Ironman in honor […]

By Jeff D. How do you write a blog about the last nine plus months of your life?  Where do you even start?  Where do you finish?  Well, I know that part.  The finish was crossing the finish line as Mike Reilly announced, “Jeff Dawson, you are an IRONMAN.” Let’s try to remember the journey.  […]

by Jeff P. I debated about writing a blog post about a race that could have been another one of those races we all tuck away in our memory and say, “Been there. Done that.” Yet, my adventures at the 2016 Door County Half Iron race were not so ordinary. Weather played a significant role […]

by Marijo W. My name is Marijo.  I’m a triathlete. I am a triathlete.  At times, I still feel weird telling people that.  Not only because this is still a relatively new aspect of my life, but also because it is different from what I have been; what I have known myself to be. I […]

By Kirsten J. When I started out on my journey to Muncie Ironman 70.3, I had just finished out my 2015 season of a few sprints, and had witnessed my husband, Dave, complete his first 70.3 in Racine.  I was in awe of Ironman.  The race village, the support on the course, and of course […]

by Traci K. Coach Joe regularly talks about the world famous ET Cheer Crew and #ETsn80, but I never really knew what that meant until this season. First a bit of background — I’m new to triathlon. My tri journey began just last year (2015) when I completed Esprit de She – my job had […]

by Elena D. I came to the sport of triathlons in 2014 after watching several Naperville events while working traffic control.  I was so moved by the athletes (women specifically) who were my age and looked like me putting it all out there.  I was moved (almost to tears but not quite because I am […]

by Cathy O. As I reflect on my Ironman race in Arizona, I recall having a plethora of emotions ranging from excitement, doubt, solitude, misery, worry, elation and, of course, satisfaction. Many ups and downs were experienced along the journey of this day but I would not have had it any other way. The sport […]

by Bob H. I looked forward to Ironman Arizona every day since deciding it would be my next Ironman in 2013. The only time that excitement waned was during the last couple weeks of training when I felt ready with nowhere to go. Typical taper mental angst. Race weekend started well, my anxiety level was […]

by Aaron A. When I signed up for my first marathon six years ago, I figured I would start with just doing one and see how it goes. After finishing that one I said I would run the marathon five times. The logic was simple. The 5th marathon would be when I turned 40 and […]

by Maggie W. On Sunday, November 8, 2015 I became a half marathoner at the Naperville Half Marathon AND I became an official team member of Experience Triathlon (ET). I was excited to run my first half marathon because it was a new and challenging goal for me. I had never considered myself a runner, […]

by Susan G. After having no desire to race during the 2015 triathlon season, I entered the lottery for the Twin City 10 Mile “Shortcut to the Capitol” on a whim. The lottery entry got me very excited and as luck would have it, I got in!   Finally, I was excited about a race and […]

by Kara R. My journey to becoming an Ironman started about four years ago when my friend Ariel signed me up for my first indoor triathlon. I remember thinking beforehand that I was definitely going to die. Growing up I was not exactly what you would call athletic. I was the girl on the softball […]

by Lida K. I’m still taking the whole race day in and thinking I can’t believe it is all over. Really, all those months of training and it is done? Wow, that was a fast day. Sort of like planning for a wedding, months of preparation go into the day and then suddenly in a […]

by Drew R. I’m a big fan of pizza. I don’t mean that I like to have the occasional slice of pizza with friends. Because that would mean I’d have to share my pizza. Nope, I like to fill my plate with pizza and stuff it into my face until I look like a six […]

by Sue A. “One foot in front of the other….don‘t walk off the course….let your friends pull you in…..” These were the words that were running through my head as I walked through the darkness of the UW campus on the shores of Lake Mendota with the injured, the tired, and the hopeful. This was […]

by Dale R. After hearing about the fun they have in Kona doing the underwear run, I decided to start out my pre-race fun with the First Annual Underpants run around the Capitol building on Saturday. Wore my Flash Gordon underwear because they look pretty darn cool. It was a ton of fun and I […]

by Andrea S. I thought my Ironman Wisconsin journey was about recovering from a heartbreak. What I discovered, though, is that my journey was really about conquering my fears and realizing that I AM good enough. I hope my story inspires anyone who has ever been plagued with self-doubt and fears. I hope my story […]

by Ryan F. The most relaxed race morning I have ever experienced was September 13, 2015. The race that I was so calm and prepared for was Ironman Wisconsin. How could I be so calm when I had a crazy mass-start open-water swim ahead of me? How could I be calm with a difficult bike […]

By Rose R. In July 2007, I weighed 273 pounds. I used food for several years to comfort me as my mom fought cancer for the third time and my parents went through an ugly and long divorce. I went to Germany with one of my closest friends to chaperone an exchange for the school […]

by Lida K. Once upon a time on my bucket list I said I would like to complete an Ironman. My husband sort of laughed it off and said, “You are a swimmer! Are you serious?” I let it go… We had young kids and I was overly committed to helping in classrooms and every […]

by Laurie S. Everybody’s seen the small group of people hanging out in the corner of transition, lounging against the fence and watching the racers struggle by while they have not a care in the world. What are they doing and why are they there? Those people are enjoying the experience of a relay triathlon. […]

by Amy H. How can two races just three weeks apart have such different results? The races were both Olympic distance triathlons, Pleasant Prairie and ET Lake Zurich. The bike course for Pleasant Prairie is a little longer at 27 miles instead of 24.5 for ET Lake Zurich and the run at ET Lake Zurich […]

by Nancy A. Eight years ago, I did my first half Ironman triathlon … on a dare. I had no idea what I was doing. So like any young, confident newbie, I consulted Coach Google and found an online training plan. I followed it, mostly, and showed up on race day. I suffered the entire […]

by Chris B. I tend to think of myself as a positive, mind over matter person. I truly feel if you can conceive it and believe it, you can achieve it, and when I set my mind to do something, I do it. This way of thinking was tested to the extreme leading up to […]

by Jamie G. It was 4:30 am on Saturday, May 19, 2012, and I was being rudely awakened by a panic attack. Not a good way to start a race, but it was expected. However, it was not because this was my first triathlon or even one I thought would be difficult.   This is my […]

by Richard M. I was not planning on doing Galena this year and only signed up the week before the race. Last time I did Galena in 2013 I did not like the course layout. They had two transition areas and then a different location for the finish line. That course got the best of […]

by Jeff P. The life of an endurance athlete is filled with brief moments of exhilarating highs spaced by long periods of tedium, self doubt, misery and a never ending quest to find enough sleep. Throw in regular doses of life with work, kids, and house maintenance and it’s enough to make even the most […]

by Jim R. It was an interesting road training and running a spring marathon this year and for a time it looked like it would never happen. It started with the Cowtown Marathon in sunny warm Dallas on March 1st, or so Bob H. and I thought. The Cowtown Marathon actually was turned into a […]

“Occasionally in life you meet someone that you somehow know will make a difference in the lives of so many people” – Coach Joe   Please support Ryan in his quest to raise fund for the National Stroke Association.  Click here to donate today!

by Nancy A. There’s nothing like the first running event of spring. For me, it’s usually the Shamrock Shuffle 8k. But the Shamrock Shuffle usually kicks off something else: the end of my Chi-bernation. Typically, my workouts fall off, and my eating ramps up somewhere around the holidays and doesn’t end until the Shamrock Shuffle. […]

by Alyse K. Athletes train and compete for many reasons – the sheer love of competition, the satisfaction of achieving a personal best, or the feeling of pushing their bodies to the limits of their minds. Team camaraderie, coaches who inspire and motivate, and group workouts filled with laughter that infiltrates our souls all feed […]

by Bob H. 2014 seems to be the year of the destination race! In April, Pat and I travelled to California with Drew and Laurie for the world famous (and extremely tough) Big Sur Marathon. In June, Pat and I drove to Duluth, Minnesota for Grandma’s Marathon (also world famous). For our third marathon, we […]

by Jada B. It’s dawn on Thanksgiving morning. There is already a bit of snow on the ground and apparently this Thanksgiving in Chicago will be one of the coldest in 58 years so they say … but sitting with a cup of coffee and sweet potatoes cooking for the meal later in the day, […]

by Heather G. It was the Saturday before Ironman Wisconsin and things were starting to get real. The months of early morning swims, six hour bike rides (sometimes with drinks after), followed by brick after brick, were finally coming to a head. This goal of an Ironman, something I couldn’t have imagined a few years […]

By Amy H. October 12, 2014 … How did I ever get to this day? Seems like a simple question at first, since it’s just a date on a calendar and just 150 days after April 14, 2014. Why are these dates of any significance to anyone? They are the dates that I signed up […]

by Laura C. After a year of preparation, 4am wake-up calls, long rides on the weekend away from my family, and numerous other sacrifices, the week of Ironman Wisconsin had finally come! I spent the week leading up to the race meeting with Coach Suzy, packing, double checking my bike, eating as healthy as possible, […]

by Pat C. I’ve often wondered if I would write a blog for this space and if I did, what would I say and where would I start? Start at the beginning, I guess. No, not that beginning as that’s a long time ago, but the beginning of my personal triathlon journey. What I knew […]

by Vicky T. This was going to be “my” year. Having qualified for Nationals by winning my age category last September, I was exceedingly excited to be able to race the course in Milwaukee for the 2nd time. I had high aspirations to try and beat my Personal Best from 2007. If I could do […]

by Bob H. Last year, I ended my triathlon season with the Pleasant Prairie Olympic distance triathlon. In that race, my plan was to swim and bike fairly easy and concentrate on the run, using the pace at which I was going to run my upcoming marathon. That race didn’t exactly come off as planned […]

by Sharon K. Two years ago yesterday, the day of the Naperville Sprint Triathlon presented by Experience Triathlon, I started my fitness journey. I saw my profile in a store front window and decided it was time to take action. A new gym had just opened up near my house, and I opened the door […]

by Beckie M. Confidence/noun – The feeling or belief that you can do something well or succeed at something/ a feeling or belief that someone or something is good or has the ability to succeed at something. That Webster dictionary definition of confidence should be emblazoned on the Experience Triathlon website. It is the epitome […]

by Darryl T. Racine was a stop on the map heading towards Ironman Wisconsin. Leading up to the race a vast amount of training and discussions took place to build a solid foundation to meet the physical and mental challenge endurance races pose. With a support system of coaching, training partners, and family the hard […]

by Laurie P. I was an athlete as a kid, the youngest of six in a Midwestern family. Our Dad, a baseball player in his earlier days, took great pleasure in teaching how a batter could make a bunted ball difficult to handle, and how a catcher should block the plate or interfere with a […]

by Steven M. Sunday morning I woke up a little later than usual. It was the Sunday after the 4th of July and we were all tired from the weekend’s festivities. I knew I had a 10 mile run to do and I was looking forward to it. My 70.3 race was in two weeks […]

by Emily O. I knew as soon as I finished my first sprint triathlon in August 2013 that my goal for 2014 HAD TO BE to complete an Olympic distance triathlon. As I was in transition packing up my gear at the Naperville Sprint Triathlon presented by Experience Triathlon, I thought, “I could have kept […]

by Bill K. I began the season with a terrific Memorial Day race in Traverse City, MI: The Bay Shore Marathon. As the name implies, it’s a spectacular run along the shade covered coast of Grand Traverse Bay. I’m now convinced there are other great marathons to run outside the Chicago Marathon. Conditions were ideal, […]

Officer Mike Babicz, a K9 officer with the Maywood Police Department, will complete two long course triathlons in Wisconsin this summer to raise $10,000 for the families of his fallen police comrades. The funds raised will be donated to the Illinois chapter of Concerns of Police Survivors (COPS), a group founded in 1984 to provide […]

by Bob H.   For a number of years, I have wanted to run Grandma’s Marathon in Duluth, Minnesota. Every report I’ve ever seen about the race gushes about how well the race is “run,” about how beautiful the course is and about how nice and accommodating the people are in Duluth. Except for course […]

by Susan G.   This was the best way to return to triathlon!!!! Three years ago I never thought I would be able to do another triathlon. My heart condition caused me to temporarily black out during the swim of a triathlon. Thankfully it was only momentary and being the stubborn person I am, I […]

by Laurie S. I ran the Big Sur Marathon this year. It was an awesome race for my first marathon and I don’t think I could run a better marathon. So I’m going to retire while I’m ahead. I attended the race with my husband Drew and our good friends Bob H. and his wife […]

by Jada B. I have to say that this particular sprint triathlon, I learned a few years ago, is one of the toughest little sprints out there and it has scared me for years! There are three reasons for that: the water is freezing (well, ok … 60), making the swim challenging; the bike is […]

by Bill Jene Two and one-half years ago, I started training with Coach Joe. My goal at that time was to be able to run a triathlon and feel confident I could do it strong. Well, 30 months later, I have been transformed. Swimming was always a weak point, and especially my running. And I […]

by Amy H. Ready or not, January 11, 2014 had arrived.  Only 11 days into the new year and it had already been a very long year.  I had missed two consecutive days of workouts, and one was a break-through workout and a run.  I hardly ever miss a workout and never in two years […]

by Emily E. I never thought I could complete a 10K run race. I started jogging about 3 years ago after we got a dog and walking her got boring. I worked up to jogging for 25 or 35 minutes several times a week and felt good about it. I would run around the neighborhood […]

by Diane R. What are you grateful for today?  That was a post I read on a friend’s Facebook page this morning while I was still flying high from completing the Sycamore 10K Pumpkin Run.  It really got me thinking, and now I would like to share today’s grateful thoughts with you. First and foremost, […]

by Laurie S. By now, it’s no secret that I will be doing the Big Sur Marathon in April of 2014.  I’m already reading guidebooks and searching for ideas for fun stuff to do after the race.  I have an entire EndNote notebook for trips and a rapidly growing note labeled “Big Sur and San […]

by David Z. It all starts here before I knew I was even going. 2006 I quit smoking then gained weight to almost 300 lbs. I was going nowhere fast, well, actually going nowhere slowly… I said to myself, “David, old man (I was turning 50), time to fix this and by this time next […]

by Jim R. I started on the road to Ironman four years ago, yet it seems like a lifetime ago, without even realizing back then this is where the journey would lead me. In reality, after riding one loop of the Ironman Wisconsin course back in 2010 during Experience Triathlon Summer Camp, I swore to […]

by Bill K. First and foremost I want to thank Joyce, my wife, and my family for their support throughout this entire process. Also, I want to express my appreciation to my coach Joe LoPresto, ET Team Dietitian Laurie Schubert, my teammates and the entire Experience Triathlon family. It simply would not have been possible […]

by Cathy O. Racing is funny at times.  There are times when you can’t wait for the race to be here and done and then there are times you can’t believe the race is over and you’re ready for another one.  That’s my experience with Ironman Wisconsin, my first 140.6 mile race.  Yes, I can […]

by Dale R. After 10 months of hard training, the time was finally here! I was physically ready and mentally prepared for what awaited me at Ironman Louisville. Heading down to the swim start, I kept thinking about having a great day. I knew I had nothing to worry about because all my experience doing […]

by Kristin B. USAT National Championship in Milwaukee.  My A race of the year.  I could write about so many great things related to this race, but to keep all those interested, here is a brief re-cap.  Milwaukee summer USAT nationals, A+ venue, extremely organized race, quick car ride from Chicago. Would I do it […]

by Tom Z. It all started back in 2003. I was working on an individual as a PTA when I noticed a tattoo on the back of the calf. Unbeknownst of its origin I researched this sign, and there it was, the Ironman MDot symbol that represents the successful completion of the Ironman long distance […]

by Kim P. Hi Coach Joe!  I may have been slow and I may have sold myself short, but I finished the Naperville Sprint Triathlon presented by Experience Triathlon only because of your help, your training clinics, and your team’s encouragement.  Coach Joe, I really want to give you a great big hug, but this […]

by Erin M. “I can’t swim.” “I’m not an athlete.” I’ve dragged these old beliefs around like a chain on my leg for as long as I can remember.  They are powerful and resistant to change.  But they’ve loosened their grip as I’ve challenged them repeatedly this year and have now chosen to not buy […]

by Nader A. I signed up last winter for the 2013 Naperville Triathlon presented by Experience Triathlon after having been road cycling for about a year.  My wife’s first comment was, “After 20 plus years together, you still surprise me. I didn’t know you could run and swim.”  To which I responded with a smile.  […]

by Drew R. When you strip it down to its bare essentials, swimming is pretty simple.  One hand pulls you through the water as you lift the other one out and forward.  Rotate and repeat.  Glide along smooth as silk through the water like a playful otter, basking in the beautiful day with not a […]

by Tanya L. In 2010, I volunteered at the Ironman Oceanside 70.3. What a fun experience! I decided that day I wanted to complete a 70.3 race. So I bought myself a 70.3 magnet for my fridge and wrote on it, “T’s next goal ½ Ironwoman.” Coach Suzy and I started working together in 2010 […]

by Bill K. and Rob K. This was Bill’s second Racine HIM and Rob’s first. Rob:  Dude!  Great idea on doing the Racine Ironman 70.3 together this year! Bill:  Yeah, thought you would dig it.  I was totally buzzed about it last year. Rob:  Totally cool, Bro.  Four months ago I couldn’t swim, had only […]

by Rob K. This year’s ET Batavia Triathlon was my second tri and was much better than my first. I cut my swim time in half!  I owe that to my ET masters swim class and help from Coach Joe and my other swim coaches.  I’ve also made significant improvements in my biking thanks to […]

by Amy H. June 9, 2013 has finally arrived.  I have been working toward this day for 1 year and 6 months.  I started this journey the last week of December 2011 with a new friend by my side. I wanted to do triathlons but I really couldn’t swim and I was still mainly walking […]

by Kristin B. Yesterday (The ET Batavia Sprint Triathlon) was an amazing race.  Coach Joe masterfully executed a well-organized, fun, inviting, competitive race that was supported by many wonderful volunteers.  Race weather was perfect and road conditions were great.  At the finish I spoke to many Experience Triathlon athletes who had an amazing race, and […]

by Amy H. After a long cold winter and with spring just not wanting to make a long term appearance in Chicago, Thursday April 25, 2013 finally arrived and I was about to set off on the training trip of a lifetime. Solvang, California and Experience Triathlon’s Spring Camp here I come (along with 15 […]

by Jim R. While Ironman Wisconsin isn’t until September 8, 2013, it’s been on my mind since signing up in September 2012. Lately it’s been on my mind more than ever as I inch closer to the big date. On one of my solitary runs on vacation I realized, with only 173 days remaining, that […]

by Amy H. Saturday started out as just a chilly early spring day, sunny but 35 degrees, with another trainer ride on the schedule.  But wait, I scored a half priced pair of shoe covers just two weeks ago.  Let’s give them a try and head outside on the trail bike. The road bike still […]

by Kelli Z. Every Thursday at 5:30am I “Run to Become” with Coach Joe and a small group of Experience Triathlon teammates. It is a great way to start my day and get in a good run workout. I always look forward to seeing my friends and talking about the many things that are going […]

by Sarah F. Do you believe in second chances?  Maybe even third or fourth chances? I do. I shouldn’t even be doing this sport, for all intents and purposes.  I am not an athlete by nature.  I was the kid who was always picked last for team sports when growing up.  I was slow, cumbersome, […]

by Susan G. For those of you who know me, I have a ton of enthusiasm and excitement.  So I don’t think that there was anyone else from Experience Triathlon that was more excited about racing ING Miami on that Sunday morning than me.  I felt like it was finally here!  I was also so […]

by Bob H. When I signed up to do the Mount Desert Island marathon, I had not begun training with Experience Triathlon, had not met Coach Joe and had not thought about the consequences of running a marathon five weeks after doing an Ironman. I gave NO thought to MDI while training for Ironman Wisconsin, […]

by Aaron A. When I finished my second Chicago Marathon last year, my ET blog post talked about my next challenge being mental toughness during the race.  However, I think this year’s race season was more about mental toughness in the 364 days after the race. A few weeks after the 2011 race, I continued […]

by Tanya L. I would never have thought that two years after dropping out at mile eight of a half marathon because I allowed my inner demons to win that I would train for AND finish the Chicago Marathon! To think it all started with a phone call, an offer from Coach Joe to become […]

by Elliott L. Today I arrived at what I consider the halfway point of a dream that was born in April of this year. Before April I never swam, biked or ran. I played basketball occasionally and lifted weights, but I did little in the way of endurance workouts. On a fateful day in April, […]

by Mike L. “Don’t start too hard.  Don’t start too hard.  Don’t start too hard.”  I had been working with Coach Joe for six months, and when we went over the plan for the Chicago Marathon this was the most important piece of advice.  I had followed the plan he suggested, hydrated well, and had […]

by Sherri H. If you know me, you know I don’t have an overwhelming need to participate in a lot of races.  My races aren’t planned out a year in advance.  Instead, I’m more the “Oh, that sounds fun, I think I’ll sign up” kind of girl.  I pulled one of these on Coach Suzy […]

by Jeff P. A couple of years ago, I wrote a long piece titled An Incredible Ironman Journey detailing the wonderful and emotional journey that led up to the 2010 Ford Ironman Wisconsin. Writing about the yearlong adventure was as important to me as experiencing the Ironman for the first time. I reflected on how […]

by Laurie S. I love half marathons.  I think it’s a great distance: long enough to feel that you’ve trained for something but not so long that the training or the recovery is onerous.  And if I’m lucky, I can plan a race in a distant locale and finagle a long weekend out of town!  […]

by Bob H. My journey to Ironman began in 1978 when I read about these crazy people in Hawaii doing a race that included 2.4 miles of swimming, 112 miles of biking and 26.2 miles of running. I remember thinking, “I have to do that.” In 1981, I was working for the newspaper in Streator, […]

by Judie R. The suitcases are back in the attic, the TriTats are scrubbed off, and it’s the end of another race weekend that was not like any I’ve done before.  This weekend I got to check a major box on my Bucket List:  USAT Age Group Nationals, and this year it was in Burlington, […]

by Jim L. I think my story of the Steelhead Ironman 70.3 has to begin this past winter, because this offseason laid the foundation for having such a special race this past Sunday.   From intense ET CompuTrainer workouts every Monday, to the runs through snow and rain that we all do to start setting the […]

by Tom S. 8+ months of training have paid off, as I finished the Vineman 70.3 on Sunday, July 15th. I’m happy to report that I finished with a smile on my face and was pleased with the way the day went. Another medal for the big guy! This was the longest tri I’ve participated […]

by Drew R. As I stood on the beach surrounded by nearly two thousand of my fellow triathletes, I was enjoying the feel of sand under my bare feet.  As usual, I was looking around the crowd for familiar faces.  It wasn’t too hard to find them – the Experience Triathlon uniforms were out in […]

by Jim R. I had an awesome experience at Ironman Racine 70.3, my first long distance race course. The journey began on Friday when Kevin and I drove up after meeting “Crowie” at Spokes in Wheaton to check in and drive the bike course we’d be riding on Sunday. When we checked in I was […]

by Pete J. We all get into triathlons for different reasons.  I got sucked in listening to my sister regale me about her first tri last summer in Charlotte where she placed 2nd in her age group!  Prior to that call, I had never spent an hour and a half on the phone with my […]

by Laura C. For me, it’s always fun doing events for the first time.  2012 was a year of many “firsts” for me.  Since I joined Experience Triathlon and became a coached athlete in July, 2011, this was my first full year working with Coach Suzy and alongside my talented, dedicated ET teammates.  What a […]

by Sal D. Tips for Beginning Swimmers from an Overanalytical, Somewhat Battle-Tested, Almost-Beginning Swimmer Human bodies and bodies of water go together perfectly.   But only if the body of water is a Jacuzzi.  In all other cases, the two are wholly incompatible. I learned this first-hand. I had been running quite contentedly for years until […]

by Jill A. This year was a success at Racine 70.3 Ironman!  What an awesome and grueling day all at the same time.  Silly as it may sound, one of my main motives to complete this distance was to be able to proudly display a 70.3 sticker on my car.  A couple of years ago […]

by Kelli Z. Well, it is Sunday night at 8pm and I am ready to head for bed. Yes, it is a pretty early bedtime but you have to understand what I have been doing all weekend. I was at the Experience Triathlon Summer Camp in beautiful Madison, WI. I had never been to camp […]

by Tanya L. I’ve always been fascinated with the city of New York.  “New York, New York, a town so nice, they named it twice,” as David Letterman says.  So when I started in triathlons in 2009, #1 on my bucket list became the New York City Triathlon. My journey to race in New York […]

by Amanda L. My family recently attended a picnic hosted by some of our oldest friends.  In response to my parents RSVP, the host replied, “It’ll be good to have some competition back in the egg-toss this year!”  I guess it’s not hard to see where I get my competitive streak from.  Over the past […]

by Bill K. Training for longer duration triathlon events takes a good deal of time and effort.  There were 4:30 am morning swims and evening and weekend training in preparation for what would be my major 2012 event, the Racine Ironman 70.3. Why? To paraphrase St Thomas Aquinas: To those who understand, no explanation is […]

by Cathy O. You’re probably wondering why I’m thanking the year already when the year isn’t even over yet, right?  While some of my colleagues are continuing on their racing season with the Naperville Triathlon in August or even the HyVee Triathlon in September, I, on the other hand, am done with my racing season.  […]

by Jeff P. One indisputable fact I have learned from triathlon racing – there is no such thing as a perfect race. There are just too many moving parts and dials to adjust in our vain attempt to cross that finish line with complete satisfaction that everything went perfectly according to plan. Even the first […]

by Glenn S. What a great feeling to have completed Ironman 70.3 Racine, my first half Ironman.  For such a long time the big race seemed so far away.  Now it’s a memory and a feeling of accomplishment. While I had some real anxiety before the race, once the race started I was focused and […]

by Kristin Bagley Last month I was interviewed by a writer at Chicago Athlete Magazine.  This was my first interview and before hand I ran through all the possible questions he could possibly ask before he called.  I answered most of them to my satisfaction with the exception of the last question.  The last question […]

by Wendy H. 102 Degrees.  A 55 minute Fartlek workout.  And the first Laurie Sweat Test of the season. I get all ready, strapping on heart rate monitor, sunglasses, and hat.  Always amazed how long it takes to get ready for a simple run, I realize I need to weigh in . . . naked.  […]

by Natalie H. I was so excited to be going into my first race, Naperville SheRox Tri, after deciding to work with a coach from Experience Triathlon.  Thank goodness I touched base with my coach the week before the race.  She suggested I set some goals for the race and gave me some good advice […]

by Amy H. When I made the decision to lose weight I naturally thought I would measure my success on what the scale told me.  For a while I was very happy using that tool as a measurement of success.  I was doing pretty well and I had lost 75 pounds.   I focused on eating […]

by Sarah F. Pleasant Prairie, here I come!  I just realized this morning that it’s been over TWO years since I’ve gotten to race in a triathlon, and this weekend I finally get to do it again!  I cannot wait!!  And I will be one completely changed, different girl at this starting line than I […]

by Kelli Z. On June 10th I participated in the ET Batavia Triathlon.  I also celebrated my first year as a triathlete.  How does a wife and mother of two small kids work full time and call herself a “triathlete?”  Well, I may not be a spokesperson for energy bars or running shoes but I […]

by Amanda L. Since October of 2011, it has felt like rather than focusing on getting faster, stronger, and tougher, my training has been about moderation, control, and self-discipline. Why? How much time do you have? We’ve got the “Freak Marathon Bottle-Cap Foot Injury,” the “Peruvian Parasite Ordeal,” the “Embarrassing Visualization on the Treadmill Quad […]

by Alyse K. In March of 2011 I committed to losing weight and getting back in shape. I started a weight loss program and worked out six days a week. I lost 48 pounds, and in August of 2011 I competed in a half sprint triathlon. I was hooked. After a long winter of spin […]

by Bob H. I was feeling bad about missing the ET Batavia Triathlon and Duathlon and helping my ET teammates run a great event. That was the only bad feeling about competing in Grand Rapids. I always enjoy racing in Grand Rapids. The environment always seems to bring out my best for that day. Today […]

by Jim R. The Experience Triathlon group shook off the cobwebs of all the off-season training we do during those cold dark days of winter at Galena this last weekend. All those long runs in the cold winter months, all those dark days or evenings in the CT “cave” or our basements, and all those […]

by Coach Suzy If there is such thing as an “earthly angel”, my good friend and loyal client, Kathy Fleckenstein (aka “Flecky”) embodies it. I have always said that it takes a certain kind of very special person to do what Kathy does. As a pediatric emergency room nurse on the south side of Chicago, […]

by Bob H. About a week out from Boston, my friend wrote to say that it was going to be about 80 degrees on race Monday. As the week progressed, that forecast high increased until, the Saturday before, the race committee decided to offer deferments to anyone who was not in top shape or prepared […]

by Andy R. Well, the moment I’ve been waiting for.  The post-race write-up.  Does this mean I finished?  You’ll have to read on for that.  Does this mean I survived?  Yes! I’m going to draft this in a few parts.  For those of you looking to read the high level summary, you can stop after […]

by Susan G. 10 months ago I sat in a doctor’s office and heard the results of a series of tests.  I was diagnosed with a rare heart condition that caused my blood vessels to constrict rather than open when my heart rate rose.  (This is not a woe is me story.)  Immediately my doctor […]

by Amy H. How do you get to the start line at the Chicago Shamrock Shuffle?  For me the journey started almost two years ago, although I didn’t know it at the time. On May 1, 2010, I was well over 300 pounds and facing the very real fact that I needed to change my […]

by Andy R Survive the tide, cruise the ride, enjoy the stride A word of caution before reading this.  It’s long.  Really long.  I’ve decided to write it in one pass and not proof it, as I don’t read anything longer than 3 bullets.  There could be typos.  Some of it might not make sense.  […]

by Laura C. My plate is undoubtedly full.  I work part-time, have two young kids, a husband who frequently travels internationally for work, an aging parent, and all of the commitments that come with raising kids… school responsibilities, participation in a myriad of activities, scheduling playdates, church commitments, not to mention the daily to-do list […]

by Coach Joe “Give me one moment in time when I’m more than I thought I could be. When all of my dreams are a heartbeat away and the answers are all up to me. Give me one moment in time when I’m racing with destiny. Then in that one moment of time I will […]

by Darryl T. It is weird how a specialization within a sport can carve the nature of one’s athleticism. I was a gymnast and swimmer in college focusing on strength and speed and it shows in my physique. I am by no means a skinny runner who chugs along on a 135 lb frame. I […]

by Sue A. Last year, while in downtown Chicago on the way to a meeting for my job, I decided I wanted to run the Chicago Marathon.  Now that is saying a lot for someone who a number of years before, while attending her first Experience Triathlon summer camp in 2007, said, “I have no […]

by Amanda L. “Fill the unforgiving minute with sixty seconds’ worth of distance run.” –Rudyard Kipling After the marathon, my mom asked my dad if he ever thought about just stopping.  Without even thinking about it, he says, “No, never, not once!”  I am proud to say that I am my father’s daughter.  From the […]

by Kim C. My best friend of 26 years, Dottie, heard about a great challenge: hiking the Grand Canyon from rim to rim in one day.  That’s 25 miles!  She didn’t know the group she’d be joining, who mostly reside in the Phoenix area, so she asked if I’d like to join her.  We both […]

by Aaron A. Looking back I’ve been an athlete for many years.  I did cross country, swimming, and track in high school and continued swimming/running on my own in college and the years beyond. About four years ago, I decided to take my running to the next level and signed up for Cardio Run with […]

by Laurie S. There must be a Greatest Hits For Races collection that arrives in the mailbox of all race directors.  Regardless of location, the same music is blaring over the crowds of athletes waiting to race.  This principle held true in Stockholm on Saturday, September 17th at 4 PM as I stood with my […]

by Lynn B. The journey has come to end.  A journey that began on 9-11 at Liberty Park, NJ and ended on 9-18 at the Pentagon, a culmination of 530 miles on the bike along with 350+ riders, civilians and veterans riding side by side to raise financial assistance to meet the rehabilitation needs of […]

by Jeff P. For those of you just beginning your journey into the world of triathlons or thinking about taking up the mantle of a tri lifestyle, I will have to admit there will be times you will say, “What in the world did I sign up for?” Early morning workouts, sore knees and hips, […]

by Jim R. “We few, we happy few, we band of brothers; for he today who sheds his blood [sweat & tears] with me shall be my brother…”  – Henry V (IV.iii.), William Shakespeare.  Journeys tend to lead you to places you expected, planned, and hoped for, but sometimes they lead you to places you […]

by Jeff P. “There were six minutes between waves. Six minutes to lean my head back, look up at the sky and find that calm before the torrent storm of arms and legs. Thanks be to the higher power that gave me the opportunity to pursue dreams that at one time seemed far stretched. One […]

My first Olympic-distance triathlon by Amanda L. When I’m talking to my friends, I sometimes forget that they aren’t fellow triathletes, which is why I was frequently asked about my presumed “Olympic career” each time I gushed on and on about my first Olympic-distance tri. I was nervous, there’s no denying that.  Having taken a […]

by Kevin M. Last year was a big year for me!  I decided to do my first triathlon longer than a sprint.  In December ’09, my sister said, “I signed you up for the October 17th Austin, TX 70.3 Half Ironman!  You’ll have over 10 months to train for it.”  Of course I said, “Ok, […]

by Tyler H. My story starts three years ago (2009) before I met Coach Joe.  The prior year, I attended the Naperville Tri with my dad to watch one of his friends race.  I said right then and there that I was doing this race next year.  The year went by and as we approached […]

aka, How to Never Miss Seeing Your Friends Finish a Race by Matt B. About 16 years ago I tore my ACL, had it surgically repaired and proceeded to spend the next 12 or so years doing whatever I wanted physically.  Fast forward to my orthopedic surgeon’s office in 2007 as he showed me an […]

by Tina J. I have always thought of myself as a strong person. I think you have to be to move six times in a marriage. But, there came a moment in my life, about two years ago, that made me question my inner strength. That was the moment when I decided that I need […]

by Rafael P. Race day has become routine for me, having done races at all levels from sprint to the Ironman.  The HRMS Naperville sprint is a favorite of mine because of the proximity, the flat course and the usually good weather.  This race day began as usual: I had my equipment packed, I had fueled and […]

by Marge P. “You walk the Vierdaagse because it is there—to see if you can.  It’s the Mt. Everest of walking; a 100 mile peak laid out flat and decked with windmills.” I’ll bet when you saw the word Vierdaagse you thought it was a typo.  It’s not, it’s a Dutch word.  Literally translated, it […]

by Tanya L. The lyrics to a popular Miley Cyrus song were playing in my head as I reached the turn around for the 5K at my recent Evergreen Lakes sprint triathlon. “The struggles I’m facing, the chances I’m taking, sometimes might knock me down, but No, I’m not breaking.” My journey with Experience Triathlon […]

by Suzy C. “We never truly know who we are unless we push ourselves beyond our known boundaries.” – Unknown My journey began about 14 years ago.  I started running for weight loss in between the birth of my 2 beautiful daughters.  I joined the Life Time Fitness Running Club and began my regiment of […]

by Drew R. Coming into the Evergreen Triathlon, I felt that I had plenty of reasons to be nervous.  First and foremost among them was the fact that it would be my first time swimming the Olympic distance (1500 meters) without a wetsuit.  And this would be in the unfamiliar open waters of Lake Evergreen, […]

by Cathy O. What do the following have in common?  Beach, hot weather, a firefighter, yellow painted toenails, and the best cheering section in the world.  They all share in my wonderful memories of my first half Ironman race experience at Racine, WI.  Some are funny, some are painful and some are heartfelt.  They all […]

by Sarah F. The race plan was simple.  Do this short little run around the lake, for the sole purpose of getting back to my bike.  Bike my heart out.  Then drop my bike off so I could go out for another run around the lake, and hopefully not screw up my back in the […]

by Jim R. My journey into triathlon started a little over a year ago.  Knowing that I didn’t know everything, I started a search for someone who did and found Coach Joe and Experience Triathlon. To say this relationship has changed all aspects of my life, both personal and athletic, will never be an over […]

by Amanda L. The first time I met Coach Joe about 8 weeks ago, I knew that as crazy as my decision was to sign up for a sprint and an olympic triathlon this summer, it was probably the best thing I could have done.  The first race on my docket was the SheROX Triathlon […]

by Brian V. The Batavia Triathlon has been my first tri of the season three out of the last four years. I’d never really been too serious about my first race of the year and my training (or lack there of) and results showed it. Back in early February I decided that I wanted to […]

by Lynn B. After a year off recovering from shoulder surgery, it is great to be back in the saddle (literally) again.  The SheRox Women’s Tri was my first real test for my shoulder and I must say, it held up great.  I arrived early in the morning (around 4:30am) and was the first one […]

by Jeff P. The start of another race season – another chance to test one’s physical and mental limits; to discover a little bit more about whom we are as endurance athletes; to taste the fruits of the hard, seemingly endless grind called off-season training.  It’s time to have fun! My season began with a […]

by Jim L. Wow!  What a race weekend.  Galena is such a beautiful area.  The drive in from Chicago is so cool as you start to feel the hills getting bigger and bigger as you get closer.  This was a big race for me.  My first ever triathlon was in Galena in 2008, and I […]

Words just can’t describe some experiences in life.  Even pictures can only do so much when in paradise.  As I sit here overlooking the Gulf, watching the sunrise and having a morning cup of coffee, I’m reminded of why I Tri.  It’s all about the “experience” it brings to us.  The opportunity to live a […]

by Jillmarie D. Wrestling with restlessness I open the door to my therapy The road and the rhythm of my running shoes. The sound of my heart’s constant beat and my breath I run. I run for me I run from everything else I run until my mind clears and my thoughts return I run […]

by Paul W. I recently read Running Within by Jerry Lynch and have now developed my “running statement.”  I have done this to build a more positive AND ENJOYABLE attitude toward running. Approach Thought: I have always considered myself a slow runner, but this just addresses competing against someone else.  This is an attitude I […]

by Jim R. The decision to compete in the Disney marathon was made months before I even had a relationship with Experience Triathlon and Coach Joe, but joining ET and working with Coach Joe would have a major impact on my training, race plan and how I would perform in the race. With the hardest […]

by Jeff P. Lao-tzu has been often quoted saying, “A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.” So began my journey into the world of Ironman distance racing one fateful day as I stepped out of the hot Hawaiian sun into a little Kona t-shirt shop on Ali’i Drive. It was a […]

by Paul W. Eighteen months ago, my daughter, Sarah, challenged me to join her in a triathlon.  “You can do it, Dad, you are in good shape and have been biking for many years.  We can encourage each other, and it will be fun to do this together.” I had been biking, but could hardly […]

by Holly F. In my life I’ve never thought of myself as an “athlete.”  I was overweight for the first 20 years of my life and then up & down for the next 15.  I dropped out of every sport I ever started and quit anything that posed a challenge to me.  A few years […]

by Jamie D. I shared this story with Coach Joe on Tuesday and it may benefit someone out there.  It is how I came to train for a triathlon, found Coach Joe, and my road to recovery. In March of 2008, I met a beautiful woman named Lindsay Gillilan.  She was everything I was looking […]

by Sarah F. 10) Hills + Heat + Hip pain = a helluva hard run! 9) Flying mounts on an uphill bike start are a little tricky.  Thank heavens for that “rubber-banded shoes-to-the-derailleurs” trick! 8)  Always remember our USAT cards and photo IDs at Expo check-in!! 7)  Never walk out of Starbucks without making sure […]

by Jeff P. I have always thought every triathlon race I have participated in was a unique learning experience – an opportunity to discover what it takes to swim every stroke, push every pedal and put one foot in front of the other till I crossed that finish line.  Didn’t matter that the course was […]

by Holly F. Experience Triathlon Spring Training Camp 2010 As a newbie in the triathlon world, I began seeking out training programs and information, and met Coach Joe through a Master Swim program.  Immediately recognizing the benefits of his class, I hired Joe for one-on-one swim coaching. After seeing my enthusiasm for learning as much […]

by Sarah F. The morning was dark, chilly and foggy, the race site virtually empty when the shuttle bus dropped me off, save for a few race volunteers who must have been awarded the very early shift.  I had my body-marking done and headed into the sea of racked bikes.  When I’d racked my own […]

by Jeff P. The Chicago Marathon was the end of a great season of racing both in running and triathlon.  It was an ambitious season to get in a lot of different types and distances of racing.  I’m sure I presented as a good challenge for Coach Joe to schedule all the training that I […]

by Gloria R. Today, I am a much stronger and confident person for having become a runner. I met Coach Joe through another trainer about seven months ago.  At that time, I had just completed a couple of months of circuit training, had reached losing 15 pounds through a weight loss program provided through work […]

by Judie R. Coach Joe!  I did it!  🙂  And while I can’t say that every moment was great, the overall experience really was.  I wouldn’t have done it nearly so well without your help.  I’m so grateful for your caution, your wisdom, and your enthusiasm for this awesome sport!! Mattoon Half Ironman.  Finish time:  […]

by Jen C. Hey, Coach Joe!  Happy Monday to ya!  Yup…it was toasty this weekend.  I’m sure you can relate, though…it was just perfect for me and Kent. 🙂  Bang’s Lake was the first Tri this summer where we didn’t FREEZE before the race. 🙂  Kent did the Aquabike and I did the full Tri.  […]

by Jeff P. My journey to the Spirit of Racine Half Ironman Triathlon began long before the actual race started.  Nine months ago, Coach Joe and I sat in a Panera Bread Restaurant and hashed out a plan for the 2009 race season.  After a lot of thought, I decided to repeat this particular race, […]

by Sarah F. THURS – Little over a week to go.  Coach Suzy is already working on my schedule for next week…I’m excited to see what race-prep workouts she’s going to lay out for me.  Nerves are starting to get in my system and butterfly-feeling hits whenever I think about the race.  Ran 1200’s at […]

by Michelle H. My journey started over one year ago.  Last year, around February or March 2008, I decided that I wanted to do a triathlon.  After all, I had watched the Ironman competitions on TV and recalled how all the athletes just looked like regular everyday people.  After being around all the triathletes at […]

by Sarah F. I had the brilliant opportunity to get my feet wet, both figuratively and literally, sooner than I expected by experiencing the 2009 Naperville Women’s Tri as part of a relay team.  My relay partner, Agniezska, roped me into the challenge a mere week before the triathlon, under the guise that she would […]

by Viki T. September 28th, 2008, dawned crisp and sunny and clear.  Good news as today is Berlin Marathon day.  I roll out of the hotel bed in my third country in a week and think if I could train on an airplane, I might be able to give Haile Gabreselassie a run for his […]

by Jeff P. This was the big one for me – the Spirit of Racine Half Iron in Racine, WI. The adventure began on Friday with traveling up to Racine to register for not only my race but for Maxine, my spouse, who was competing in the women’s sprint on Saturday. We decided to go […]

by Sara B. What am I doing?  How did I get here?  Can I really do this?  All of these questions and more run through my head as I drive towards the race, as I set up my transition area, as I stand and wait during the rain delay, and even as I talk with […]

by Drew R. On August 12, 2007 at the Naperville Triathlon ET athlete and webmaster Drew R completes his year long journey toward becoming a swimmer and triathlete.  It was an emotional day for Drew and the ET family as we cheered our friend into the water and across the finish line.  Congrats Drew!! Six […]

by Marsha H. Ever wonder what triathletes think about during a long, tough race?  Here’s a peek into our world as Marsha fights the demons and completes her first Olympic triathlon at Pleasant Prairie.  Congrats on a great race and beating the demons, Marsha!  – Coach Joe Coach Joe always says I am too quiet. […]

by Sarah K. I’m at what I like to think is the mid-point in my life (53 by USAT standards) and finally have the opportunity to enjoy the half-time entertainment, which I am hoping to extend for a least three more decades.  I saw a saying (and actually put it on my Road ID) that […]

by Jeff P. In the weeks before the Pleasant Prairie race, as I was working through the paces of hard workouts on hot and humid days, I found myself praying that the race day would be cool and overcast with cloud cover.  Be careful what you wish for!  The Sunday morning of the race started […]

by Lynn B. I can’t believe it has been a year since my very first triathlon.  Last March, after going through a divorce, I needed some goals and direction in my life.  Being a former athlete and since many of my patients (I oversee 3 physical therapy clinics) were competing in this small triathlon in […]

by Marsha H. I always felt like I was born with an extra dose of energy. As a child it would get me into trouble at home, in the neighborhood and at school. My mother quickly figured out to get me into as many physical activities as possible. So my childhood living in Colorado was […]

Ironman Wisconsin 2006 Swim 2.4 miles, Bike 112 miles, Run 26.2 miles, SMILE for the rest of your LIFE!   The Ironman.  One of life’s great experiences.  Considered to be the most challenging endurance event in the world.  The event and the multi-year journey toward Mount Ironman will change you forever.  It is an accomplishment […]

by Jeff S. I finished my first Triathlon in 1:43:22, not the time I wanted but a very good result for someone who was a complete couch potato only 3 months earlier.  But I’m getting ahead of myself; I need to start at the beginning. Back in 2005, I realized how out of shape I […]

by Jeff S. Jeff’s journey will ‘touch, move and inspire’ you.  He is an amazing guy on a mission.  We look forward to hearing more from Jeff as he completes his first Triathlon!! It seems that many people who do Triathlons come from some kind of background, whether running, swimming, or cycling.   I come from […]

by Katie S. I am writing this on Monday, the day after the triathlon. My triathlon experience didn’t begin yesterday.  It actually began last August when I decided to “check out” the AARP sponsored triathlon in Naperville.  I thought, Let’s go see what it’s like, I think I can do it.  Well, within minutes of […]