Testing, Resting, and Racing: A Personal Journey Through Triathlon

Testing Products & Equipment: Finding Your Personal Edge

I’ve long believed that product testing under real race conditions is a bit like studying different investment vehicles — you need firsthand experience to know which one will give you the best return. When you’re talking about competitive sports, especially triathlon, comfort and performance trump everything, even if there’s no financial benefit on the line. Sometimes I’ll experiment with a new piece of equipment—like a racing shoe or an untested wetsuit—just to see how my body responds. Sure, I might stumble here and there (like putting money in a poorly performing stock), but that’s the only way to figure out what works best.

I’m reminded of Lionel Sanders—known as Mr. No Limits—who is notorious for constantly tweaking his setup. He doesn’t wait for endorsement checks to start innovating; instead, he focuses on what helps him perform at his peak. It’s a valuable lesson: monetary gain is not always the prime motivator—striving for peak results is.

Respecting Rest & Recovery

Sometimes we ignore the power of the simplest things—like a good night’s sleep or taking a genuine rest day. Illness and recovery have taught me that the human body isn’t a machine you can drive into the ground. Trying to “train through” sickness has backfired for me more than once, leaving me even weaker and prolonging the down time. The best approach? Slow down, allowing your body to repair itself. If your job is to be a pro athlete and you’re forced to race, that’s one thing. But for the majority of us, rest is a sacred pocket of time where real growth happens. Just like wise investors know when to hold and wait out the market, athletes need the discipline to step back and recover.

Performance & Facing Strong Competitors

Sometimes the quickest progress comes from getting humbled. I’ve done events where my performance was far from what I’d hoped. However, going up against formidable competitors reveals exactly where I stand. If you race only in smaller circles, it’s too easy to get complacent. But sign up for an Iron Man race with top-tier athletes, and you suddenly get a raw, honest assessment of what you need to work on.

Think of it like being in the stock market: if you only invest in sure bets, you never question whether your strategy is actually good or just safe. In triathlon, you need that challenge to sharpen your craft. Facing standout rivals is a surefire way to see just how much further you can push yourself.

Motivation Beyond Money

True wealth in sport isn’t measured solely in monetary payouts. Yes, winning races can come with flashy checks and tempting headlines, but what really drives me is hitting new personal milestones. It’s like having multiple forms of currency—financial gains are nice, but so are other forms of wealth like time, relationships, and self-improvement.

When I think about a World Championship podium, I imagine a lifelong memory that far outweighs any check from a Pro Series event. That sense of fulfillment is the intangible payoff: you’re reminded of every training session, every discipline, every sacrifice. And that’s priceless.

Mapping Out the Race Schedule

I’m often guilty of overpacking my calendar, but having a clear race schedule is like putting together a strategic roadmap for the year. I’m currently planning to line up at St. George, Eagle Man.