Picture this: it's a crisp fall morning, the sky is a flat gray, and you're clocking a long ride or a long run. Sunscreen? Probably the last thing on your mind. But here's the truth that catches too many athletes off guard—the sun doesn't take the winter off, and neither...
The Silent Killer at Triathlons: What Every Swimmer Needs to Know About SIPE
Every year, the triathlon community loses fellow athletes before they ever reach the bike. The swim leg, that thrashing, adrenaline-soaked start we all know so well, remains the deadliest part of our sport. And the numbers aren't slowing down. We often blame these tragedies on panic, cold shock, or bad...
I Almost Gave Up on These Goggles — Then Everything Changed
I'll be honest: my first swim with the Effortless Swimming NanoClear™ goggles was a disaster. I took them straight into open water, excited to test the hype. Within minutes, water was seeping in around the edges. I spent more time draining them than swimming. I remember thinking, "That's it, these...
Why I Love Open Water Swimming in My ROKA Wetsuits
Open water has a pull that's hard to explain until you feel it. The cold slap of the first stroke, the horizon stretching out, the quiet rhythm of your own breathing. My Three ROKA Maverick Wetsuits I didn't set out to own three wetsuits. But once you start swimming across...
Free Speed with Paul Eaglestone
Welcome to Hilary Topper on Air, the podcast where we explore the stories, strategies, and passions of business owners, endurance athletes, and lifestyle enthusiasts. I’m your host, Hilary Topper, and today we’re diving into the world of swimming and triathlon coaching with a very special guest. Paul Eaglestone, Author of...
How Tabata Can Help You Swim Faster
Tabata is the original HIIT protocol and comes with real sports science credentials. Back in the 1990s, Japanese researcher Dr. Izumi Tabata studied speed skaters using a very specific interval structure: 20 seconds of all-out effort, 10 seconds of rest, repeated 8 times. That's it. Four minutes total per block....
Why I Wrote Unlocking the Open Water Swim (And Why It Might Change Your Season)
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...
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...
Quirky Lanes and Historic Swims: NYC’s Public Pools
Moving to Manhattan part-time brings a lot of surprises. You quickly learn how to dodge garbage trucks on your bike and navigate the endless construction zones. But recently, I discovered another unique layer of city living: the public pool system. I decided I wanted to start swimming to mix up...