The Spark: When Inspiration Finally Becomes Action

Standing at IRONMAN 70.3 Ohio in Sandusky, watching the inaugural event unfold while six months pregnant, Kristin experienced what she calls her defining moment. "I felt a spark that changed everything," she recalls. This wasn't just casual interest – it was recognition that she'd been curating dreams for others while keeping her own on the shelf.

The power of proximity cannot be understated. When you're surrounded by athletes who pour months, even years, into reaching race day, their determination becomes contagious. For Kristin, working in the triathlon industry meant daily exposure to stories of transformation, resilience, and human potential. She witnessed firsthand how ordinary people accomplish extraordinary things through commitment and training.

That spark led to immediate action. Despite being pregnant, she registered for a local sprint triathlon. "Crossing that finish line gave me a feeling I'll never forget," she shares. This initial experience ignited what she describes as "a love for running and a new kind of motivation that's stayed with me ever since."

The transition from dream curator to dream pursuer began with a simple question: "Could I do this too?" For anyone who's worked in sports, fitness, or any field where you support others' achievements, this moment of recognition is familiar. The answer, Kristin discovered, was growing louder until it became undeniable.

From Sprint to IRONMAN 70.3: Making the Commitment

What started as a sprint triathlon experience in 2022 evolved into something much bigger. By 2023, while working IRONMAN 70.3 Augusta, Kristin saw firsthand "just how meaningful this race and its community are." This event became her benchmark – she officially registered for her first IRONMAN 70.3 Augusta for 2025.

The decision to move from a sprint triathlon to an IRONMAN 70.3 represents a significant leap – from a race that typically takes 1-2 hours to complete to one requiring 4-7 hours of continuous effort across swimming, cycling, and running. For context, an IRONMAN 70.3 consists of a 1.2-mile swim, 56-mile bike ride, and 13.1-mile run.

This progression demonstrates an important principle for any athletic journey: start where you are, but don't stay there. Kristin's sprint triathlon gave her the confidence and experience needed to envision herself tackling a much larger challenge. The key was allowing her goals to evolve naturally rather than overwhelming herself with an impossible-seeming objective from day one.

Her excitement about race day reflects the full-circle nature of her journey: "I can't wait to stand beside every athlete this year at swim start, experience the nerves, and celebrate HUGE at the finish line, surrounded by not only my family, but my coworkers who make everything possible."

The Reality of Balancing Everything: Training as a Working Parent

Perhaps the most relatable aspect of Kristin's story is her honest assessment of the challenges. "Balancing a family (2.5-year-old... IYKYK), a full-time job, and training... It's A LOT," she admits. This acknowledgment speaks to the reality that many working parents face when considering athletic pursuits.

The phrase "IYKYK" (if you know, you know) perfectly captures the unique challenges of parenting a toddler – the unpredictable schedules, interrupted sleep, constant vigilance, and the way even the simplest tasks become complicated. Add full-time work responsibilities and training for an IRONMAN 70.3, and you have a juggling act that would intimidate most people.

Practical Strategies for Training While Parenting

• Early Morning Training: Many parent-athletes find success in early morning workouts before the household wakes up, securing uninterrupted training time.
• Lunch Hour Efficiency: Utilizing lunch breaks for shorter, focused training sessions can maximize limited time windows.
• Weekend Priority Training: Scheduling longer sessions when family support is available, often requiring spouse or family coordination.
• Integration Over Separation: Finding ways to include family in training when possible, such as running with a jogging stroller or cycling while children play at parks.

The key insight from Kristin's approach is recognizing that "knowing I'm not alone" makes the difference. Building a support network – whether family, friends, or fellow athletes – becomes crucial for maintaining both training consistency and life balance.

The Transformation: What the Journey Teaches

Kristin's reflection that "the journey has already taught me more than I could've imagined" highlights one of triathlon's most powerful aspects: the transformation happens long before race day. The months of training create changes that extend far beyond physical fitness.

Physical Discoveries

Training for a 70.3 requires developing proficiency across three distinct disciplines. This multi-sport approach builds comprehensive fitness while preventing the overuse injuries common in single-sport training. For someone transitioning from a running background, learning efficient swimming technique and building cycling endurance represents entirely new physical challenges.

Having the right gear makes a significant difference – a quality triathlon suit can improve comfort and performance across all three disciplines, while a reliable GPS watch helps track training progress and ensure you're hitting your targets.

Mental Growth

The mental resilience required for IRONMAN training often surprises first-time participants. Managing the logistics of training three sports while maintaining work and family responsibilities develops organizational skills and mental toughness that transfers to all life areas. Each completed long workout builds confidence that carries into professional and personal challenges.

Professional Enhancement

For Kristin, pursuing her own triathlon journey enhances her effectiveness as a "dream curator." Understanding the athlete experience from the inside – the early morning alarms, the nutrition challenges, the mental battles during long training sessions – provides authentic insights that improve her ability to support others' journeys.

This dual perspective creates what she describes as an "unmatched feeling" when witnessing other athletes' achievements: "remembering the countless times I've had to hold in tears at the finish line for a stranger I don't even know, being so proud of what they've accomplished."

Race Day Perspective: From Volunteer to Athlete

One of the most compelling aspects of Kristin's story is her unique position of experiencing triathlon from both sides of the finish line. Having worked numerous IRONMAN events, she understands the logistics, the volunteer perspectives, and the community dynamics that make these events special.

Now, preparing to compete in IRONMAN 70.3 Augusta, she'll experience the nervous energy, the pre-race rituals, and the mental preparation from an entirely different angle. This transition from supporting others' dreams to pursuing her own creates a full-circle moment that many people in the sports industry can relate to.

The anticipation she expresses about standing at the swim start "beside every athlete" shows how her perspective has evolved. She's moving from observer to participant while maintaining her appreciation for the community aspect that makes triathlon special.

Lessons for Anyone Considering Their Own Journey

Start Where You Are

Moving from sprint triathlon to IRONMAN 70.3 shows the power of progressive goal-setting. You don't need to commit to your ultimate goal immediately – allow your ambitions to grow with your experience and confidence.

Proximity Breeds Possibility

Being around people who achieve challenging goals makes those goals seem more attainable. Seek out communities, events, or environments where you can witness others pursuing what you want to accomplish.

Balance is Possible but Requires Intention

The combination of career, family, and training demands intentional planning and support systems. It's challenging but achievable with the right approach and mindset. Proper nutrition support, like quality electrolyte supplements, can help maintain energy levels during demanding training schedules.

The Journey Transforms You

The real benefits begin during training, not just on race day. The discipline, resilience, and confidence developed through the process enhance all areas of life.

Community Matters

Recognizing that "you're not alone" in the challenge makes all the difference. Building connections with others on similar journeys provides motivation and practical support.

Your Turn: Taking the First Step

Action Steps to Begin Your Journey

1. Identify Your Starting Point: What's the athletic equivalent of Kristin's sprint triathlon for you? Choose a challenge that's ambitious but achievable with focused preparation.
2. Build Your Why: Understand what's driving your interest. Is it personal challenge, health, community, or something else? A clear motivation sustains you through difficult training periods.
3. Start Small but Start Now: Register for an event that excites you but doesn't overwhelm. The commitment of registration often provides the motivation needed to begin training consistently.
4. Assess Your Support Network: Who in your life can help make your athletic goals possible? Have honest conversations about what you need to succeed.
5. Connect with Community: Find local clubs, online groups, or training partners who share similar goals. The shared experience makes the journey more enjoyable and sustainable.

The Ripple Effect: How Personal Dreams Enhance Professional Purpose

Kristin's story illustrates a powerful principle: pursuing your own dreams doesn't detract from your ability to help others achieve theirs – it enhances it. Her experience as a "dream curator" becomes more authentic and effective when she understands the athlete journey firsthand.

This concept applies beyond sports. When you pursue challenging personal goals, you develop empathy, resilience, and credibility that strengthens your professional effectiveness. Whether you're a coach who's never competed, a manager who's never led a major project, or any professional supporting others' achievements, personal experience in challenging pursuits enhances your ability to guide and inspire.

The transformation from spectator to participant changes not just how you see yourself, but how effectively you can support others' journeys.

As Kristin prepares for her race day at IRONMAN 70.3 Augusta, surrounded by family and colleagues who have supported her journey, she embodies the idea that it's never too late to say "it's my turn." Her story proves that the biggest barriers to pursuing our athletic dreams are often the ones we create ourselves.

Whether your goal is a 5K run, a century bike ride, or an IRONMAN triathlon, the principles remain the same: start where you are, build progressively, leverage community support, and remember that the journey transforms you long before you cross any finish line.

The question isn't whether you're capable of achieving your athletic goals – it's whether you're ready to find out what's possible when you finally decide it's your turn.