Back Mountain Triathlon

06/17/2026

Not quite ready to tackle an entire triathlon solo? No problem.

Grab a friend—or two—and take on the Back Mountain Triathlon as a relay team! Whether you're the swimmer, cyclist, runner, or any combination in between, relay teams let you share the challenge and the fun.

It's a great way to experience race day, try something new, or team up with those friends who keep convincing you to sign up!

Every relay participant receives the same race-day perks as individual athletes, including:
✅ Race T-shirt
✅ Post-race chicken dinner
✅ Finisher swag
✅ And more!

📅 August 30, 2026
📍 Harveys Lake, PA

Sprint | Olympic | Aquabike | Relay

Learn more and register at https://my.raceresult.com/369043/

06/16/2026

What a fantastic morning on PHL17’s Positively Philly with hosts Abby Urban and our good friend Rachel Malak!

David Bass and Shaun M. Daney were thrilled to promote the upcoming 4th Annual Back Mountain Triathlon, an event that continues to grow and attract athletes from across Pennsylvania and beyond. This year’s race, scheduled for August 30 at Harveys Lake, has become one of Northeastern Pennsylvania’s premier endurance events and we’re excited to introduce it to the Greater Philadelphia region.

We’re incredibly proud of how this event has evolved, not only as a competitive race, but as a community-driven experience that supports local organizations and showcases the beauty of the Back Mountain area.

A sincere thank you to Abby, Rachel, and the entire Positively Philly team for welcoming us and helping share the story of the Back Mountain Triathlon with a wider audience.

We look forward to seeing athletes, volunteers, sponsors, and spectators join us for what promises to be our best event yet!

Race Director David Bass and PR director Shaun Daney join Rachel & Abby to encourage Philadelphian athletes to put The Back Mountain Triathlon on their radar this summer. From the family-friend…

06/16/2026

The Kids Fun Run IS BACK!!! This year’s youth race is directed by Lake-Lehman senior Hannah Kuhar for her Senior Project! Ages 6-14.

Register here: https://my.raceresult.com/369043/registration

06/16/2026

So excited to reconnect this morning in Philadelphia with our dear friend and NEPA’s own, Rachel Malak, on her new show, Positively Philly!

Shaun M. Daney and I are thrilled to join Rachel to talk all things Back Mountain Triathlon as we continue working to grow the event, expand our audience, and share the incredible impact this race has on our community.

We can’t wait for the conversation and are grateful for the opportunity to spread the word about this amazing event. Stay tuned!

06/14/2026

By any traditional measure, Nicole Sennett has already reached the kind of milestones many endurance athletes spend years chasing.

The Harveys Lake native placed first in her age group in last year’s Back Mountain Sprint Triathlon, adding to her impressive endurance sport resume, which includes a Boston qualifying time at the Steamtown Marathon in 2010.

These are accomplishments that typically define success in a sport known for its intensity and commitment. But for Sennett, the finish line tells only part of the story.

Her definition of success looks a little different.

“None of that other stuff is on my bucket list,” Sennett said about typical athlete goals such as Ironman championships in Kona. “Success is letting my son see his grandparents, getting some alone time with my husband.”

That success is found every Sunday during the summer. Sennett returns to her parents’ dock at the Lake, where she starts the morning with a couples swim before setting off on a ride with her husband up and over Sordoni Hill, all while her son gets to sleep in and get ready for lunch with Grandma, Grandpa and any other family member that comes by.

“The cycle route is just perfect, and it’s such a wonderful place to spend a summer day,” Sennett says. “It makes training feel less like a sacrifice, and more like quality family time.”

That perspective, grounded in family rather than results, has shaped Sennett’s approach to triathlon from the very beginning. A former Division I golfer at the University of Colorado, where she competed on a full scholarship and studied English, Sennett was no stranger to structured training and competition. Still, she never intended for triathlon to become an all-consuming pursuit.

Instead, it evolved naturally — rooted in nostalgia, community and family.

Growing up along Harveys Lake, Sennett remembers watching athletes train on the same roads and water around her family dock. Years later, encouraged by her husband Michael, an experienced triathlete, she decided to give it a try herself.

What started as a challenge soon became a shared family activity.

“My husband was fighting a cancer diagnosis and couldn’t run for a while,” Sennett recalls. “I became his guinea pig.”

Sennett’s husband took the time he would normally spend writing his own training plan and turned his attention to coaching his wife to and through her first triathlon — the Olympic Distance Wilkes-Barre Triathlon in 2009.

“I just wanted to cross the finish line, doing the best I could,” Sennett says of her goals for that first race.

Today, even after qualifying for prestigious events and standing atop the podium, she continues to approach the sport with the same humility.

“I’m pretty competitive,” she admitted. “But it’s not my life. I’m there for the camaraderie, the volunteers and the support of the community through a great sport.”

That balance has allowed Sennett to stay consistent without the pressure that often comes with high-level competition. Rather than chasing bigger races or faster times, she focuses on staying present — whether that means running alongside her husband while their 9-year-old son AJ rides his bike, or hearing him cheer her through the final stretch of a race.

“Watching my son cheer me on and race me through the finish line — that moment meant more than any race times or results,” she said.

Even her goals reflect that perspective. More than anything, Sennett hopes her involvement in triathlon sets an example for her son, showing him the value of discipline, hard work and setting goals — while also proving that success doesn’t have to come at the expense of what matters most.

In a sport often defined by pushing limits and measuring performance, Sennett has found a different rhythm — one that prioritizes balance, community, and time spent together.

For her, the real achievement isn’t just finishing the race.

It’s who’s waiting at the finish line.

BACKGROUND QUESTIONS

Q: Where did you grow up?

A: Harveys Lake.

Q: What was your high school/college athletic experience?

A: Mostly golf – I was a D1 golfer.

Q: Did your athletic background help you in triathlon?

A: Yes, I never did understand why golfers had to run and weight train in college, but the routine was set from an early stage.

Q: Do you have an inspiration or someone who motivated you to begin triathlons?

A: I grew up at Harveys Lake, so the triathlon has always been nostalgic for me. Watching the athletes train around the lake was incredibly inspiring. I also married a triathlete, so the combination of the memories and the encouragement on the homefront motivated me to take on the challenge.

Q: What is your experience with the WB or Back Mountain Triathlon(s)?

A: These conditions and backroads are what I was raised on. I’ve done the Wilkes-Barre and Back Mountain races a total of five times.

Q: What is your proudest moment in triathlon/endurance racing?

A: Qualifying for the Boston Marathon or the National Sprint Triathlon.

Q: Married?

A: Yes.

Q: Are they involved in triathlon?

A: Very much so – we train together and make it family time.

Q: Kids?

A: One son, AJ, age 9.

Q: How do you fit them into your training?

Q: Last year, my husband and I incorporated training into our family time. Every Saturday, we would swim, bike Sordoni Hill,and loop back to the family dock, where we would cook out. It was a win-win for all as my son, my parents and my brothers family enjoyed the lake together. It made training feel less like sacrifice and more like quality family time.

Q: Swim, bike, or run?

A: By far the run, I still can’t drink water while biking. Maybe some day…

Q: Has your favorite changed?

A: No.

Q: Favorite triathlon/endurance race, or dream race location?

A: Harveys Lake — keep it local!

Q: Ideal pre-race and post-race meal?

A: Grotto Pizza.

Q: Any worries for race day?

A: Not waking up in time for the start.

Q: What is your favorite type of workout when training for a race?

A: My favorite workouts are the ones that become family time. My husband and I run as my son bikes alongside us. It allows us to spend time together, stay active and enjoy the outdoors.

Q: What is your favorite thing to do outside of triathlon or endurance racing?

A: Golf. I am a member at Elmhurst CC and was the club champ last year. My lowest score is 3-under.

Q: Favorite memory from a triathlon race?

A: Watching my son cheer me on and race me through the finish line. The moment meant more than any race times or results.

Q: Do you have a mantra or a phrase that gets you through the tough parts of training/racing?

A: How many times can you say, ‘You got this.’

Q: Favorite race weather conditions?

A: Anything but rain.

THIS OR THAT

Q: Garmin, Apple or no watch?

A: Garmin.

Q: Indoor or outdoor training?

A: Outdoor for everything.

Q: Flip turns or wall touch?

A: Wall touch.

Q: Coach, training plan or self-led workouts?

A: Self-led.

Q: Full kit or mixed up pieces for race day?

A: Mixed-up pieces.

Q: Hand massage, Theragun or neither?

A: Theragun.

Q: Aero bars or tri bars?

A: Aero bars.

Q: Relay or full tri?

A: Full.

LOOKING AHEAD

Q: Do you have any goals for your triathlon career?

A: Inspire my son to show discipline and hard work can achieve great goals. He was so excited to cheer my husband and I on last year. I hope participating in this triathlon demonstrates the value of setting goals and working toward them.

Q: How do you stay motivated through the offseason?

A: Once you cross a finish line and hold that sense of accomplishment, the motivation never really leaves.

Q: Any advice for those racing for the first time this year?

A: We have a wonderful community in the Back Mountain and you will be encouraged every stroke, pedal and step of the way. Last year there were volunteers cheering for every racer at the top of Sordoni Hill. Trust your training, enjoy your experience and know that everyone is rooting for you to succeed.

Q: What does your race calendar look like this season?

A: I am coming off of knee surgery from March, but the Back Mountain Tri is certainly on my mind … will it happen?

By any traditional measure, Nicole Sennett has already reached the kind of milestones many endurance athletes spend years chasing.

06/08/2026

For most sports fans, the words "Happy Valley" conjure up images of a sea of blue and white, the deafening roar of 100,000 football fans, and the legendary turf of Beaver Stadium. But on June 14, 2026, the iconic home of the Nittany Lions will serve as the backdrop for an entirely different kind of competition. Roughly 1,800 athletes from all over North America will run onto the field, during the fourth annual IRONMAN 70.3 Pennsylvania Happy Valley. The stakes are higher than ever this year, as the event has been officially tapped to host the prestigious IRONMAN 70.3 North American Championship, a pro-series race featuring nearly 100 elite professionals that will be broadcast to a global audience. The stacked professional field will be headlined by top contenders like Matt Hanson, Sam Long, Paula Findlay, and Hannah Berry.
Orchestrating this multi-county operation—which includes a 1.2-mile swim at Bald Eagle State Park (rated among the top three best swims on the Americas Ironman circuit last year) and a grueling 56-mile bike ride (that includes a climb over Centre Hall Mountain)—is Race Director Josh Cone. A Boalsburg native, Cone knows these roads quite well. Yet, looking at his impressive resume today, you might be surprised to learn that Cone’s journey into elite endurance sports didn't start out with podium finishes.
In fact, Cone jokes that his high school athletic career consisted of being on the football team but never actually seeing a second of game time. His introduction to endurance sports was entirely organic, sparked years later by a friend’s casual invitation to run the single-track trails of Rothrock State Forest. One step led to another: a desire to teach co-workers how to swim inspired Cone to learn to swim himself; a local charity bike ride opened his eyes to cycling; and a 4th of July Sprint triathlon at Penn State officially hooked him.
His path to becoming the race director for Pennsylvania's Ironmnan was surprising. After years of organizing local races, including the YMCA Happy Valley Sprint Triathlon, the local Convention and Visitors Bureau brought him into early, confidential discussions with Ironman in 2022 to map out potential courses. When the event was officially announced and organizers were searching for a local leader, Cone raised his hand. The response from Ironman leadership was immediate: "People keep saying we need to talk to you about taking this position." Four years later, Cone is at the helm of a global event while remaining deeply rooted in the local community, utilizing an Ironman Foundation grant to give back to regional volunteer groups like the Boy Scouts and State College Cycling Club.
Today, Cone has completed roughly 100 triathlons, including an overall victory at the notorious Savageman Triathlon (Olympic distance), and 2 top 10 finishes at Back Mountain Triathlon. Despite his own competitive success, his transition from athlete to race director revealed a deeper passion. For Cone, the true magic of a triathlon isn't found at the front of the pack, but at the very back. He frequently notes that his favorite part of any event is standing at the finish line until the very end, watching the final weekend warriors fight through hours of exhaustion to realize their dreams.
"I absolutely love it, I'm really looking forward to seeing who rocks the course in a couple weeks here in Happy Valley," Cone says. "But I also I love watching that last age grouper come across the finish line... that's the best part. I mean, I'll stand up there and when the pros are done with the cameras, go shake his hand and ask him how he did, but I know that age grouper that crossed at 8:29:49. You know, they're just crawling across that finish line. They've been out there for over 8 hours. And my heart goes out to them, that takes a lot of guts. You're not the superstar, but you're proving that you can get this done."
This year, the athlete and spectator experience will look slightly different—and significantly better. Based on athlete feedback from previous years, the finish line has been moved just outside the stadium to allow families to get closer to their athletes for high-fives and photos, though competitors will still run two loops along the perimeter of the field inside Beaver Stadium. Additionally, Cone has finally realized a long-term goal by introducing an "Iron Kids" race on Saturday, featuring a toddler trot and a one mile run that gives the younger generation a chance to finish inside the stadium just like the adults. It’s all part of Cone’s mission to look out for the future of the sport and get kids moving and "away from their screens."
As the local triathlon community gears up for the highly anticipated return of our own Back Mountain Triathlon right here in Northeastern Pennsylvania—a race Cone himself has completed twice—learning from Happy Valley’s success shows just how much a single event can unite a region. "We need community. We need to bring people together," Cone notes. "And, this type of event, I think, does that." Whether you are tuning into the global YouTube broadcast to watch the pros tackle Centre Hall Mountain or cheering on local athletes running past the Beaver Stadium, Cone’s journey reminds us why we fall in love with endurance sports in the first place.
On the eve of Ironman 70.3 Happy Valley, I sat down with Cone to talk shop. From his quirky race-day superstitions (like a mandatory bathroom break exactly ten minutes before the start) to his deep love for outdoor "brick" workouts and post-race Wendy’s Frosties, Cone offers a refreshing, down-to-earth perspective on a sport often characterized by intense data and high-tech gear.
Background Questions
1. Where did you grow up?
Boalsburg, Pennsylvania
2. What was your high school/college athletic experience?
Played high school football but never played in a game.
a. Did your athletic background help you in triathlon?
Helped motivate me to train harder.

3. Do you have any family members who are also triathletes?
No athletes in family.
4. Do you have an inspiration or someone who motivated you to begin triathlons?
It started with a friend inviting me out to run trails in Rothrock State Forest. A few years later, I worked at a place that built a pool that employees could use, so I started training staff in the pool, and I thought I should start learning to swim myself. Shortly after that I participated in a fundraiser bike ride to support a friend who was biking from Bellefonte to Boston, then running the marathon, all in support of Centre Volunteers in Medicine. A couple of months after that fundraiser bike ride, I saw a local Happy Valley Sprint Triathlon around the 4th of July and decided to try it out from some encouragement of a few co-workers.
5. How many triathlons have you done?
Around 100.
6. What/where/how long was your first triathlon?
Happy Valley Sprint Triathlon at Penn State University.
7. What is your experience with the WB or Back Mountain Triathlon(s)?
I started getting interested in it years ago before they stopped the race. A local friend and triathlete, Kris Quigly, told me that they started the race back up again and encouraged me to come try it out.
8. What is your proudest moment in triathlon/endurance racing?
I won the Olympic distance Savageman Triathlon.
9. Married?
Nope
10. Kids?
Nope
Favorites
11. Swim, bike, or run?
Swim I enjoy the least but understand the recovery benefits and how good it feels afterwards on the body.
I enjoy riding and seeing local sights and scenery. You can ride 100 miles and don’t feel super beat up.
I enjoy running trails the most. Nothing quite like a good single-track trail run in Rothrock State Forest.
a. Has your favorite changed?
12. Ideal pre-race and post-race meal.
Pre-race – spaghetti and meatballs
Post-race – Wendys Chocolate Frosty
13. Any superstitions for race day?
P*e 10 minutes before start.
14. What is your favorite type of workout when training for a race?
Bricks. I enjoy short repeat bricks. Especially outside when it’s nice.
15. What is your favorite thing to do OUTSIDE of triathlon or endurance racing?
I love taking my dog out for adventures and finishing a day with ice cream.
16. Do you have a mantra or a phrase that gets you through the tough parts of training/racing?
“We do these things not because they are easy, but because they are hard.” John F Kennedy
17. Favorite race weather conditions?
Trail running – snow
Triathlon – over 65 degrees!
This or That
18. Garmin or Apple or No watch
Either. It’s fun to race on just how you feel and to go out and compete without tech.
19. Indoor or outdoor training
a. Swim – Prefer open water but there’s not much in central PA.
b. Bike – Outside!!!!!!!!!! Gravel or road.
c. Run – Single track trails are the best.
20. Flip turns or wall touch
Flip turns for sure.
21. Coach, training plan, or self-led workouts
Self-led till a year ago I decided to get a coach. I’m pretty busy so this helps me be more organized and thoughtful about what I’m going.
22. Full kit or mixed up pieces for race day
2-piece kit. Easier to go bathroom. I look funny in a 1-piece kit.
23. Hand massage or Theragun or neither
The leg compression systems are great. I just need to break down and get one.
24. Aero bars or clip on tri bars
TT bike
25. Relay or full tri
I enjoy team sports, so relays are a great way to enjoy company, cheer each other on, and good if you are super busy and training for all 3 is hard.
Individual tris are great as well. It’s a great way to challenge oneself and I enjoy having something different to do and not always training with just one sport.
Looking Ahead
26. Do you have any goals for your triathlon career?
Find fun places to race triathlons or other races. I’d like to run the Redwood half marathon and other unique places that you can take in views that you may never normally see.
27. How do you stay motivated through the off season?
Bike – virtual training programs
Run – Snow runs are the best types of runs. Nothing better than a trail run in a foot of snow.
28. Any advice for those racing for the first time this year?
Set reasonable goals that will challenge you to improve yourself but also think about what fits into your life. If you have a busy job or family/kids, keep them in mind. You want them to cheer you on and be there at the finish. Find a race that may have a kids race or a place to go take the significant other out to dinner afterwards.
29. What does your race calendar look like this season?
A mix of gravel bike races, trail races, several triathlons, maybe a half IRONMAN somewhere for fun or relay.
a. A-race? SOS in New York!! (Note: The SOS Triathlon, officially known as Survival of the Shawangunks, is a grueling and iconic 50-mile wilderness adventure race held every September in New Paltz, New York. Unlike traditional triathlons, it features a unique, alternating eight-stage point-to-point format: biking, trail running, open-water lake swimming, running, swimming, running, swimming, and running).

05/31/2026

Every triathlete has a song — the one that carries them through the final minutes of a grueling training day, pulls them out the door when motivation is hard to find or brings them back to a breakthrough performance they never want to forget.

Some songs mark triumph, others stir unfinished business, but for Christina Candio, triathlon is more than something set to music. It is the song itself.

Candio’s path to endurance sports and coaching began not on a race course, but in a rehearsal room. Raised in Allentown, she came up in the disciplined world of music, where rhythm, structure and expression shaped her understanding of performance long before she saw herself as an athlete.

In a competitive marching band at Emmaus High School, she learned the rigor and precision required to perform at a high level — lessons she would only later recognize as athletic in their own right.

“It wasn’t until about 10 years ago that I realized that marching band was an athletic achievement, not just a group to support the football team,” Candio said.

What she could not yet see was that those early lessons in discipline and performance were already preparing her for endurance racing.

Candio might never have discovered her potential in the endurance world without confronting what many athletes try to avoid: weakness. At Wagner College, where she attended on a music scholarship, she came to understand that her future in music was less certain than she had once believed.

Though she excelled at reading and playing music, she recognized a limitation that would ultimately redirect her path: “I can read music and play almost any instrument, but I cannot write music.”

Realizing how deeply that gap could shape a full-time career, she made the difficult decision to pivot. What first felt like a setback became a turning point.

That pivot led Candio to shift her academic focus to English literature, continuing her education with graduate work in Wilkes-Barre at King’s College and a second master’s degree from National University. Her professional path expanded into a 25-year career in corporate healthcare, but alongside that career, a new identity was beginning to take shape

“I didn’t want to just be ‘mom’ or ‘healthcare leader.’ I needed something that was just for me,” Candio said about this new step.

Starting with distance running in 2008 — including early races that were self-supported for charity — Candio found both a new self-made label and a new outlet for the same discipline and drive that had defined her musical training.

As her interest in running grew, so too did her athletic ambitions. Under the guidance (or trickery) of a coach, she transitioned from marathons into triathlon, gradually building experience across all three disciplines. Since completing her first sprint triathlon in Philadelphia in 2017, Candio has gone on to finish multiple sprint events, an Olympic-distance race, six 70.3 races, and a full 140.6 Ironman.

Even in competition, her musical background remains evident—she often relies on rhythm and pacing. She explains “music is structured in measures, usually beats of four.” That same four count helps her maintain focus and consistency during swimming and running.

Today, Candio brings that full-circle experience into her role as a coach. As co-owner of EnFlyte Endurance Coaching, she works with athletes across a wide spectrum of experience, from beginners taking on their first race to seasoned competitors pursuing higher performance.

She believes strongly that “anybody at any level should have a coach,” emphasizing that the sport can feel overwhelming, and that the right guidance can break down both knowledge and accessibility barriers. Her coaching philosophy blends physical training with the mental side of performance, helping athletes build confidence, resilience and a sustainable approach to achieving their goals.

“It’s really a totally comprehensive way to train and coach,” Candio said.

In many ways, Candio’s story is one of transformation — guided not by a straight path, but by a willingness to adapt. What began as a passion for music evolved into a career centered on helping others perform at their best, whether in the water, on the road or within themselves.

The same discipline that once guided her through measures and tempos now drives her mission to support athletes in achieving their goals, proving that sometimes the most meaningful direction comes from recognizing — and embracing — what we cannot do.

BACKGROUND QUESTIONS

Q: Where did you grow up?

A: Allentown, Pa.

Q: What was your high school/college athletic experience?

A: Well, I was in competitive marching band in high school. We even had tryouts for our seats in each instrument section.

Q: Did your athletic background help you in triathlon?

A: My background in music and marching band has helped a lot. Music is structured in measures – a measure contains a certain number of beats. Commonly a measure had four beats; during swimming and running I pace myself in fours. I count to four in different tempos based on rate of perceived exertion (RPE) or pace to keep me focused.

Q: What is your favorite instrument to play?

A: I’d have to say it’s the marimba.

Q: Do you have any family members who are also triathletes?

A: My husband is a triathlete and last year my youngest daughter (13 at the time) did her first sprint at Lewisburg.

Q: Do you have an inspiration or someone who motivated you to begin triathlons?

A: I’ve been a runner since 2008. My first coach, Craig Sheckler, recommended cycling as cross-training for marathons. Before I knew it, he recommended getting in the pool and then signing up for a race. I was tricked!

Q: What/where/how long was your first triathlon?

A: My first triathlon was the Philadelphia Triathlon (sprint) in 2017.

Q: What is your experience with the Wilkes-Barre or Back Mountain Triathlon(s)?

A: My husband Jonathan and I co-own EnFlyte Endurance Coaching. Jonathan connected with Dave and Shaun before the 2024 Back Mountain Triathlon. We were so excited about the return of BMT that we joined as a sponsor. We’ve coached a few athletes to success at the Back Mountain Triathlon since then! Looking forward to Year 3 getting athletes to the Back Mountain Triathlon start line and sponsoring again!

Q: How do you and your husband fit your kids into your training?

A: We are a blended family with five kids: Bella 22, Ava 18, Zach 17, Genny 15, Alli 14. They’re accustomed to our training! While it seems easier now (that they are older and) I’m not getting off the trainer to get a snack for someone or running loops around a lacrosse field, their schedules are (now) so different and demanding that we all need to get creative in how some workouts get completed.

FAVORITES

Q: Swim, bike or run?

A: This is like the question about my proudest moment — there are so many things I love about each of the disciplines. It’s tough to choose a favorite.

Q: Has your favorite changed?

A: What I love does change from time to time. I love swimming because it’s time away from technology, it’s quiet and it reminds me of all the swimming joys from my childhood. I love the bike because it was my biggest limiter and I have been successful in completing some very hilly courses. I love the run because I always have enjoyed time on my feet.

Q: Favorite triathlon/endurance race or dream race location?

A: Since I must narrow it down, I will say that one of my favorite races was back in 2022 in the Finger Lakes. Jon and I traveled to a small town outside Ithaca and spent a long weekend on working farm. The day before a 50K trail run we got engaged overlooking a beautiful waterfall. The race was amazing — so humid, beautiful and challenging. Felt so great to finish that race celebrating so much!

Q: Ideal pre-race and post-race meal?

A: Ideal pre-race meal is grilled chicken or steak with a baked potato dry. Ideal post-race meal is (typically much later) tacos or a burger with fries.

Q: What is your favorite type of workout when training for a race?

A: I love track and hill workouts!

Q: What is your favorite thing to do outside of triathlon or endurance racing?

A: I enjoy cooking and reading. I am an amateur plant caretaker. According to the kids, I have over 50 plants that I’ve been passionately maintaining.

Q: Favorite memory from a triathlon race?

A: Seeing my family all along the Mont Tremblant (Ironman) course. Hearing their cheers and seeing their faces was something I carried through to the finish line.

Q: Do you have a mantra or a phrase that gets you through the tough parts of training/racing?

A: Nothing lasts forever.

Q: Favorite race weather conditions?

A: Overcast in the 60s. But that never happens for the duration!

THIS OR THAT

Q: Garmin, Apple or no watch?

A: Garmin! But sometimes I’ll swim or run without a watch.

Q: Flip turns or wall touch?

A: Wall touch.

Q: Full kit or mixed-up pieces for race day?

A: Full kit all the way!

Q: Hand massage, Theragun or neither?

A: All the tools! Boots, lacrosse balls, foam rollers, Theraguns, soft tissue release, chiropractors.

Q: Relay or full tri?

A: Gosh. Great question! Relays are so fun, but I’ve only done one! I think I need to do more relays before I can truly respond.

LOOKING AHEAD

Q: Do you have any goals for your triathlon career?

A: I have a few. First and foremost, my open goal is to enjoy the experience – how I do that shifts from workout to workout, and from race to race.

Q: To be more specific, I’d like to do another 140.6 in the next few years, maybe Ironman Wisconsin.

A: How do you stay motivated through the offseason?

Q: For the most part, I don’t have trouble staying motivated. I really think because my goal is to find ways to enjoy the process – that’s enough for me to keep going. I’m consistent enough in moving my body daily that whatever the season/training demands, it’s part of my day-to-day; not anything extra.

Q: Any advice for those racing for the first time this year?

A: Keep your eyes on your own paper. It’s easy to get wrapped up in what everyone around you is doing, what they’re wearing, what gear they have. It’s your training and your race — focus on the things that are helpful for your first time. Anything else is a distraction.

Q: What does your race calendar look like this season?

A: This year I’ve focused more on running — even though I’m still swimming and biking regularly. I recently ran the Gettysburg Marathon and the Harveys Lake run. I have a trail race in July and thinking about some late summer and fall running races. My race calendar is pretty heavy in hard core spectating for our EnFlyte Team athletes at a few triathlons including: Ironman Happy Valley 70.3, Steelman Triathlon and of course Back Mountain Triathlon — which I’m still thinking of signing up for!

Every triathlete has a song — the one that carries them through the final minutes of a grueling training day, pulls them out the door when motivation is hard to find or brings them back to a breakthrough performance they never want to forget.