Back Issues: Either You Have Them or You Don’t. Learn How to Maintain The Back!
Back exercises have played a role in my life since I remember. This is a repost from January 2018, but people always ask me, and I still do these exercises today! Back Story Time: It wasn’t terrific. It was December 29, 2017, after Ironman Hawaii was “high,” and I was coming back from vacation in […]
A Guide to Pick YOUR Ironman Triathlon for Next Year
As the off-season rolls in, it’s the perfect time to plan your upcoming Triathlon season for 2024. Choosing the right Ironman race is crucial for a successful season, and with the plethora of options available, it’s essential to ask yourself some critical questions before signing up. Let’s dive into the considerations for your Ironman journey […]
Elevate Your Mental Game with PETTLEP Imagery
Welcome to the final part of the Mental Training Series! I hope these tips have empowered you to sharpen your mental strength and crush your triathlon goals. Let me know how it’s going—I’d love to hear your stories! Today, we’re diving into a powerful tool for mental preparation: PETTLEP imagery. This approach takes traditional mental […]
Mental Strength for Athletes: Setting Goals That Drive Success
As a coach, I’ve seen athletes pour their energy into physical training—swimming, biking, running, and lifting. But how often do we, as athletes, take the time to develop our mental strength? Building a strong mindset is just as essential as physical preparation, and setting meaningful goals is a key part of that process. Last time, […]
Build Your Mental Strength: Visualization and Positive Self-Talk for Athletes
As a coach, I see athletes building physical strength through swimming, biking, running, and lifting. But how often do you actively work on strengthening your mind for race day? While physical training is crucial, the mental aspect often determines whether you thrive or falter during a race. Common Negative Narratives Have you caught yourself or […]
The Rulon Rules for Mastering Pull-Ups
Pull-ups are one of the most challenging yet rewarding exercises for building upper-body strength. Whether you’re working on your first pull-up or perfecting your form, these tips will help you get stronger and more efficient. What muscles do pull-ups work? We got a lot here: Latissimus Dorsi Trapezius (lower and middle) Rhomboids Posterior Deltoid Teres Major […]
Master the Romanian Deadlift (RDL): Five Key Points
The Romanian Deadlift (RDL) is a powerhouse move for building strength in your hamstrings and glutes. Whether you’re new to RDLs or refining your form, these tips will help you perform them safely and effectively. What is the difference between a deadlift and a Romanian Deadlift? The deadlift is when the athlete starts the movement […]
Nutrition for an Ironman Triathlon: A Complete Guide
Sidenote: As you may be preparing for your Ironman Triathlon this year, I wanted to share with you some nutrition tips. I can’t have you do a race with a buffet, as that can crush you out on the race course. Contact me for more information about my coaching and how I help you with […]
“Sail Your Vessel” and Run Your Race
I’ve been a goal-setter my entire life, driven by big dreams from a young age. Growing up as a Midwest girl, born in Detroit and raised in the tiny town of Whitewater, WI, I never let my surroundings limit me. In 7th grade, I set my sights on working with marine mammals, fueled by an […]
Five Tips to Beat the Ironman Race Day Blues
“You. Are. An. Ironman.” Those words resonate deeply, don’t they? You accomplished what you’ve been training for over the past year. That night, you fall into bed utterly exhausted, sore, sunburned, and grinning ear to ear. You did it—you completed an Ironman (or a 70.3). Fast forward a week. You’re READY to dive back into […]
How to Rest & Recover as an Athlete
Sidenote: I wrote this article over five years ago, and I wanted to reshare it because we, as athletes, triathletes, runners, cyclists, powerlifters, etc., forget about rest and its importance is. I talk about how I used The Whoop to track my sleep and sickness. My athlete Jeff does the same and had some excellent […]
A Note from Coach Jen: Rethinking Ironman Training
There are countless ways to train for an Ironman, and every coach has their philosophy. What I’m about to share is based on my experience as both an athlete and a coach—and it aligns with approaches I’ve seen many other coaches adopt. Let’s talk about a common long-distance training pattern for Ironman athletes: A long […]