This Girls Got Goals

Michigan Titanium Ultra Distance Aquabike – Race Report My Goals for the Day Going into the race, I had three goals: Rockstar Goal:  7:20 (based on RaceX’s prediction of 7:21) Super Happy Goal:  7:30 Happy Goal:  Stick diligently to my hydration plan in the hot weather. Only about eight people were registered for the Ultra Distance Aquabike, with three of us being female. I knew I’d be on the podium no matter what, but I wanted more than that — I wanted to win outright and maybe even land on the overall podium for men and women. Last year at this race, my Di2 battery got unplugged before the bike start, leaving me stuck in one gear for the entire ride. This year, I wanted to see what I could really do on this course with all my gears working — and all that climbing. Race Morning Race morning went exactly to plan. I woke up at 3:00 a.m., had breakfast (including coffee), stretched, and did some visualization. I was one of the first people on the first shuttle bus, arriv...

2025 marked my return to Ironman Lake Placid—exactly ten years after I first raced here in 2015. Back then, I was Race Age 40, my fourth season of racing. Now, at Race Age 50, I came back not just to finish—but to race. To see if I could beat my former self. To see if I could qualify for Kona. And this time? I believed I could. The Road Back to Lake Placid Leading into this race, I’d been training with TriDot for over two years and was finally seeing major gains—especially in my run. For the first time, I started thinking not just about finishing faster than 2015, but possibly finishing  fast enough to qualify for Kona.  I hired a coach, became a coach, and followed my training plan to the letter. I even attended a race rehearsal camp in Lake Placid a month before race day to get the lay of the land and build some confidence on the climbs. Race Week: The Journey North I started my drive on the Tuesday before race week. For camp I made this trip in two days and ended up with sw...

  Big News: I'm Now a Multisport Coach! After 12 years of racing triathlons and multisport events, I am beyond excited to announce that I am officially an Ironman U Certified Coach and the Head Coach at 3 Goals Multisport Coaching! 🎉 Why Coaching? Over the years, triathlon has become so much more than a sport for me. It’s a way to challenge myself, build confidence, and connect with an amazing community. Some of my proudest moments have been helping friends reach their first finish lines, and now, I’m ready to help even more athletes discover what they’re capable of. My coaching philosophy is built on trusting the process, understanding your workouts, and setting meaningful goals . I believe in celebrating every step of the journey and supporting athletes with honest, straightforward guidance. Whether you’re brand new to triathlon or chasing your next big PR, I’m here to help you cross the finish line with pride. Why Train with TriDot? TriDot is a cutting-edge triathlon training p...

  TLDR: An 11-minute PR in my 13th 70.3!!  It definitely wasn't Lucky #13, though.  I did the work, collected the puzzle pieces, and was able to put them together on race day!!   Pre-Race I drove to Cambridge on Friday, which was the first day of my carb-loading plan.  Having taken the Carb-Loading Masterclass in The Triathlon Nutrition Academy and practicing/ramping it for several weeks.  I wrote my plan, packed a cooler, and got on the road!  I made it to town in time to check in, do my pre-race run, and swim familiarization.  On Saturday, I got up to do my pre-race safety check bike ride and then met up with fellow Team Zooters as they did their pre-race shake-out run.   Race Morning As usual, I set three goals for this race, but I needed to protect my mental game on the run.  So I only set the 3 goals for swim and bike.  Instead of a goal for the run, I made myself a promise.  At this race, I was also going to be...

I am 4 weeks away from my first IM70.3 of 2023, so it is time to collect your inspirational sayings, mantras. songs, and verses. I am going to be doing my Inspirational Tattoos a little differently this year. In 2023 I have 5 BIG races that I will want your inspiration for: 1. Oceanside 70.3 - April 1 2. Eagleman 70.3 - June 11 3. Aquabike Worlds in Spain - Sept 22 4. North Carolina 70.3 - Oct 21 5. Long Course Aquabike Nationals - Dec 3 If you donate to this fundraiser, your inspiration will be included in all remaining race tattoos. So if you donate before April 1st, you will be included in all 5 of these races. Placement will be determined by the amount you donate. The more you donate, the more prominent placement you will get. 2 ways to donate: 1. Facebook Fundraiser: https://www.facebook.com/donate/451964030445652/ 2. Donor Drive Fundraiser: https://ironmanfoundation.donordrive.com/participant/erinbyrge2023 3 ways to get me your inspirational message: 1. Comment on you...

  Pre-Race On April 30th, Chris Kenon messaged me asking me to be her Battle Buddy and join her for this race.  If you know me, you know it did not take much thought before I was IN!  Travel + Triathlon = Happy Erin!!  Rumors were that this is a fast course with good chances for a PR.  I asked her to join me on Team IMF for this race!  She got to work right away and raised over $1800 for the Foundation!  We also traveled with fellow Team Zooter - Chandler Carranza, our Coach - Sami Winter, and Sami's Fiance (and bike mechanic) Charlie!  It was a quick trip flying to California on Friday, Racing on Sunday, and Home by Monday!  We stayed at a VRBO near the Indian Wells Tennis Garden, which worked out perfectly! On Saturday we did our bike safety ride and then dropped off all of our things.  At this race, you have to dip your wetsuit in a chlorine bath and leave it at T1 along with your bike and bike bag.  The Run bag goes to T2, which...

  Shortly after racing IM70.3 North Carolina in 2021 as part of Team IMF (IRONMAN Foundation), I got a phone call from one of the Foundation staff members asking if I wanted to represent the Foundation in St. George at the IM70.3 World Championships in 2022.  Having raced IM World Championship in Kona in a Charily Spot (for Women for Tri in 2016), I was excited about the prospect, but a little nervous that I could still fundraise at that level.  The fundraising commitment for the 70.3 World Championships is $15,000 and I would have 10 months to get it done.   Before I can tell you about the race and race week, I need to say THANK YOU!!!!  As a community, we raised over $17,500 for the Ironman Foundation ! Whether you donated directly, sponsored or participated in my indoor triathlon, participated in my Top in Topsail Raffle, or Sponsored a Mile for one of my many races - THANK YOU!!!  I would not have been able to get to this start line without your g...