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Logistics: 3 day, 3 stage, coast to coast triathlon across Florida.

  Before I get into our actual race recap, I wanted to share how we went about the logistics of this event. As you can imagine, this triathlon event was unlike any other past event. Not only did we need a crew to transport our gear in our car from stage to stage (and to help us stay well fueled and hydrated) but we also had to move our stuff from hotel to hotel to hotel, we had three separate transition areas for swim to bike and three completely different transition areas for bike to run. This required a lot of packing and repacking, planning and organizing.  Having never done this type of event before, I was very thankful that the Xtreme Tri staff provided us with hotel suggestions (and discounted rates) which made it easy to plan out where to stay. Although we typically don't stay in hotels when we race (we prefer an Airbnb for the kitchen and space), the hotel option made the most sense for an easy check in and check out (and less effort searching for a place to stay). Sin...

Florida Xtreme Triathlon - quick recap

  Wow. I can't believe what we just accomplished.  When Karel told me about the Xtreme triathlon event, it sounded like a challenging event. While we were challenged in ways that we have never experienced before, there was so much more to this event that we didn't expect.  Before I give a quick recap of the event, I need to give a huge thank you to our support crew - which was our friend and athlete Alvaro. Al took time away from work, family and his own training to help us navigate through the logistics of this point to point to point event. We could not have done this event without his support, videos, pictures, cheers, encouragement and ability to know what we needed at any point in the race.  I'd also like to give a big shoutout to the Xtreme Triathlon and SommerSports crew, volunteers and staff. Every person involved in the event showed professionalism, enthusiasm and encouragement. This was a legit race with official timing, start and finish signs at the transi...

One more sleep: Florida Xtreme Triathlon

With only one more sleep until we embark on the longest endurance adventure that we have ever attempted (mentally and physically), I wanted to share how we prepared for this event. Training -Consistency Nutrition -Consistency Sport nutrition -Consistency There were no shortcuts, quick fixes or extreme approaches. We never felt like we were training specifically for this event - especially with the uncertainty of all that is going on in this nation. More so, we only registered for the event in early September. This season has been all about new opportunities and experiences and we made sure to take full advantage of a season of cancelled races. With none of our planned races on the summer calendar, we explored new cycling routes in Greenville and we had fun participating in different events. Building off years of consistent training, we took a leap and tried new approaches with our training. Thankfully, we stayed healthy and injury free. Perhaps much of this was due to nev...

It's race week for the Florida Extreme Triathlon!

  The extreme nature of our upcoming 3-day event hadn't fully sunk in until just a few days ago. As I began to pack, organize and plan out all of the logistics of this point to point to point event, I started to think about this ambitious feat that we are about to take our body and mind on for over 300 miles.  In case you missed my last blog post , here are the details of the event:  Stage 1: November 13th - 2 mile swim in Crystal River, 102 mile bike (from Crystal River to Ocala), 18.6 mile run in Ocala. Stage 2: November 14th - 2 mile swim in Ocala, 73 mile bike (from Ocala to Starke), 18.6 mile run in Starke. Stage 3: November 15th - 2 mile swim in Starke, 68 mile bike (from Starke to Palm Coast), 13.1 mile run in Palm Coast. I have intentions on fully sharing this entire experience from start to finish on social media ( Trimarni Coaching and Nutrition  and  Trimarni ), but I thought I'd share how I am planning for this 3-day event.  Food Most importan...

Our next triathlon event will be XTREME!

  With this year being unpredictable and different, we have approached our training as a way to try different things and to explore different events. Cancelled races meant new opportunities. Earlier this summer, Karel was itching for a physical challenge. He wanted some type of event where he would be challenged physically and mentally. After 14 years together, I've learned that anytime Karel says to me "Marni, I have an idea...." I know it's something epic or exciting. Or, it's a new bike 😄 When Karel mentioned the Florida Xtreme Coast to Coast triathlon in mid November, I immediately told Karel that I wanted to do the event with him. We registered and committed to the 3-day event. He also mentioned applying for Ultraman Florida but I told Karel that I would gladly support him during that extreme ultra endurance event (and not be a participant).  After completing 16 Ironman distance triathlons (and qualifying for the Ironman World Championship six times), I fe...

It's time for your mental health check-up

  It's been a difficult time for everyone.  I came across this article on  assessing your mental health . After reading this article and going through the self-exam questions, I am surprised that more people don't admit to having mental health issues. There's no shame in not being okay. If feelings of sadness, worry, hopelessness, anxiety, nervousness or irritability are effecting your ability to fully engage in work, physical activity or relationships, do yourself a favor and seek help. One in four people in the US is living with a diagnosable mental health issue, yet less than half seek treatment. It's so easy to reach out for physical health help but far too many ignore mental health help. Your brain is part of your body. Your mental health is part of your physical health.  I wanted to invite you to check-up with your mental health: Have you felt more anxious or worried than usual? Have you lost interest in activities that usually hold your attention? Have yo...

You are not born hating your body

We live in a society where we are constantly being told that losing weight is good and gaining weight is bad. Although segments of the population may benefit from dietary changes that will promote healthy weight loss to reduce the complications from metabolic syndrome, many individuals (particularly athletes) are constantly striving for a smaller version of themselves.  Often times - as a result of undereating, dieting, overtraining and underfueling - physical health gets destroyed and emotional well-being becomes compromised.  You are not born hating your body. You are not born fearing weight gain. You learn to feel fat. Thanks to a society that believes that gaining weight in any context is shameful, unhealthy and bad, you grow into hating your body. Society is constantly trying to sell you the idea that you will never be good enough the way that you are. That you would be happier, healthier or fitter if you weighed less, had less fat around your stomach or toned up your arm...