I still remember my first open water start. Heart racing. Buoy looking impossibly far. The water below me, dark and unknowable. Everything I'd learned in the safety of my pool lane suddenly felt like it belonged to a different sport. If that sounds familiar, this post is for you. I...
Why is Oxia a Good Supplement to Take?
As you know, I'm not training right now. But I'm already thinking about the season ahead—and about the routine I lean on when I'm back in the water, on the bike, and pounding the pavement. When I'm deep in long-distance swim, bike, or run training, one of the products I...
Total Knee Replacement: Week 5
I just finished Week 5 of post op total knee replacement (TKR). Like the last few weeks, I've been posting every other week, but this one felt too important to skip. This week was rough. Let's Talk About the Pain I read all over the internet that Weeks 5 and...
JOLYN Bathing Suite Review
When Jolyn reached out to me to see if I would review their bathing suit, I was thrilled. I love checking out new products. I requested the Caroline Bathing Suit in Navy, size 34. What You Actually Get With the Caroline The Caroline features a built-in shelf bra, which means...
Why Fins and Paddles Belong in Your Open Water Bag
I still remember the first time I slipped on a pair of fins in open water. I was floundering through a choppy lake, lungs burning, kicks going nowhere, and everyone around me seemed to be moving super fast. Then I clipped into my fins, and suddenly I felt as if...
Do Runners Need Protein? A Guide for Endurance Athletes
Most people associate protein with gym buffs and bodybuilders who want to maximize their gains. On the other side of the coin are carbohydrates, often the macro of choice for endurance athletes like runners who need easily accessible fuel for prolonged activity. While that's not technically wrong, the reality isn't...
The Gregory Alpaca Wheeled Duffel 40L Might Be My New Favorite Race-Travel Bag
I've hauled a lot of gear to a lot of races over the years, and let me tell you, finding the right bag is half the battle. So when I got my hands on the new Gregory Alpaca Wheeled Duffel 40L in Slate Blue, I had a feeling this one...
One Month After Total Knee Replacement
We've officially hit week five of my total knee replacement recovery — and before I tell you where things stand right now, I want to take you back through the last three weeks. Not the polished, "look how strong I am" version. The messy one. Because if you're going through...
Extreme Adventures by Beatrice Lessi: A Book That Will Fuel Your Next Race
Every once in a while, you pick up a book that stays with you long after you've turned the final page. For me, that book is Extreme Adventures by Beatrice Lessi. If you're a runner, a triathlete, or someone who loves pushing past your own limits, you're going to want...
The Cedar Creek to Captree Bike Path
If you love long rides with an ocean breeze at your back, the bike path from Cedar Creek to Captree is pure magic. I've ridden it more times than I can count, and it still takes my breath away. Miles of smooth open trail, salt marshes shimmering in the morning...