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Patagonman - Day 1

  We landed in Balmaceda (very small airport) around 3pm local time (2 hour ahead from EST). It was a quick 2-hour flight from Santiago (a total of 11 hours of flying and 26 hours of traveling). While Karel was waiting for our suitcases and his bike, I went to the Varona rental car counter (outside of the baggage area) to get our SUV. It was a very quick process and by 3:30pm we were in the car to make our way 1-hour to Villa Cerro Castillo (the location of Patagonman T2 - bike to run). It was a very beautiful drive and we couldn't believe how warm it was (in the 70's)! We arrived to our Airbnb (1.5K from the town center) and it was a little confusing to get in (the lady who met us did not speak English) but it all worked out. The cabin was super cute and so peaceful and quiet. The best part is that the cabin is on a farm and there are two dogs, lots of chickens and baby chicks!  After we unloaded the car, we drove to the town to get a few items from the grocery store. There a...
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Patagonman travel

This trip was originally planned in 2024.  We were supposed to travel to Chile in December for 2024 Patagonman but in September, Karel learned he had a tear in his left meniscus (the flap was stuck and needed trimming), which required surgery in January. We cancelled everything with no idea how 2025 would work out. Thankfully, we purchased race insurance to get a full refund and almost everything else was refundable (flight/Airbnb/hotel). Karel ended up needing another surgery on his left knee and since he met his insurance deductible, he also had the hardware removed from his wrist (which has been causing him issues for the past few years after he had surgery to fix his broken wrist from a MTB crash). When the lottery for the 2025 Patagonman opened in February, Karel entered and got accepted. Whereas I became interested in extreme triathlons by watching Norseman, Karel was intrigued by Patagonman. Karel was unable to participate in IM 70.3 CDA and IM Lake Placid as his knees were ...

It's finally time - Patagonman Extreme Triathlon

After Two Years of Setbacks, It’s Finally Time. This year has been one of the toughest chapters in Karel’s athletic journey—one marked not by finish-line celebrations, but by waiting, healing, and standing on the sidelines far more often than he ever imagined. Two knee surgeries, hardware removal from his wrist, and worsening spine issues have created a string of challenges that have tested Karel is so many ways. For someone who thrives on movement, adventure, and suffering, being forced to pause again and again has been heartbreaking.  And yet, he never stopped. He adapted. He learned. He stayed hopeful. With creative training, countless adjustments, and a willingness to rebuild, Karel kept moving forward—even when “forward” looked nothing like it used to. Every step, no matter how small, was a step forward.  And now, after two long years of setbacks, waiting, and wondering if this moment would ever come… it’s finally time. We are on our way to the end of the world—literally...

Thank you Body (Thanksgiving)

  For athletes, Thanksgiving often arrives during a time of off-season rebuilding, or much-needed rest. Perhaps there's a reason for this timely holiday. You now have a chance to step back and appreciate everything that makes your athletic journey possible. This Thanksgiving, take a moment to thank every part of your athletic life. And most importantly, don't forget to thank your body.

Holiday body shaming and food talk

  Why do people comment about bodies and food around the dinner table? You may be surprised to hear that people bring up body and food talk for reasons that usually have nothing to do with you and everything to do with culture, habits, and their own insecurities. 🍽️ Many people grew up in a family where talking about weight, diet, or appearance was considered normal conversation. 🍽️ Diet culture is deeply ingrained. Society has treated body size as a moral issue and food as “good” or “bad.” 🍽️ Holidays heighten food anxiety. When someone feels guilty or worried about eating, they often comment on what someone else is eating to cope or deflect. 🍽️ Unsolicited comments about health or weight are often framed as “concern.” 🍽️ For some, commenting on others’ plates or bodies is a way to feel superior or justify their own choices. ➡️ Negative comments about bodies or food are usually a reflection of the person saying them—not the person hearing them.  Understanding that can ma...