“The Athlete’s Check-Up: Why Blood Work Matters More Than You Think”
When Training Feels Off: Why Every Runner Should Consider Blood Work
As runners, we often chalk up fatigue, poor performance, or heavy legs to overtraining, lack of sleep, or not enough carbs. But sometimes, it’s something deeper. In my case, it was high iron levels—a surprise diagnosis that I never would’ve discovered without finally going to the doctor and getting blood work done.
If you're in the middle of marathon training and suddenly feel like your fitness is slipping, you're not alone. This is my story of how racing, recovery, and routine bloodwork helped uncover a hidden health issue that was silently holding me back. Whether you're training for a 5K or a full marathon, this is your reminder to listen to your body—and not skip that checkup.
Ask the Swim Coach: Open Water Edition
We asked a mix of aspiring triathletes, new triathletes, and established triathletes, what they would like to know, or wish they knew, before starting with open water swimming. Below are some of the most frequently asked questions:
I’m comfortable in the pool, but how do I get comfortable in open water?
What is sighting? How do I know where I’m going while swimming in open water?
How often should I sight while swimming?
How hard/often should I kick while swimming open water?
Just Keep Swimming: Learning to Swim for a Triathlon
And just like that, my swimming journey officially began. To say that Coach Mike was patient and encouraging would be an understatement. No matter how tough a session felt, he always managed to find something positive in whatever I was working on—even if I felt like I was doing everything wrong. There were definitely days when I climbed out of the pool thinking, “This is impossible, am I ever going to get better? What was I thinking signing up for a triathlon?!” Every time doubt crept in, Mike was there to reassure me that we had time, and I would get it.
Beyond the Finish Line
When we think of athletic performance, we mostly think of physical health. We think about how the body should work…. or doesn’t work. What we don’t think about a lot with performance is mental health. Being mentally strong and at peace directly impacts the athlete's ability to focus, maintain motivation and overcome setbacks.
Chasing Goals, Raising Kids
March is Women's History Month. As we celebrate women throughout the month and celebrate International Women's Day, we want to celebrate something that far too many women believe they can't do—be both a mom and an athlete. The thing is, just because I’m a mom doesn’t mean I have to give up on being an athlete. In fact, being a mom and staying active has become one of the most important parts of my life. So, to all the women out there—don’t let anyone tell you that you can’t be both! You absolutely can be a loving, dedicated mom and a strong, empowered athlete.
Why is it good to have a team of coaches?
What if there was a concept where the athlete had multiple coaches at their fingertips to help with their success? By having the team of coaches, the athlete has multiple people working cohesively together with open communication. This approach brings diverse perspectives, knowledge and expertise to create a comprehensive training plan.
