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 [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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. [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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, [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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, [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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, [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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, [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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, [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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. [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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, [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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) [...]
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, [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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? [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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, [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
“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 [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
