After 25+ years of running my knees were shot. No more running. Finished. The knees ached even to walk. With a less than optimal level of activity, coupled with age and no longer being able to run, I inched towards a personal all-time high weight of nearly 200 pounds. A sense of ill health and some real health-related scares catapulted me into action. Seven knee surgeries later---including a cartilage transplant on one knee and partial joint replacement on the other---I committed to a personal challenge by entering a sprint triathlon. I hadn’t ridden a bike in decades—but who forgets how to ride a bike? The run would be the most fun part although the orthopedic surgeon warned against it. The swim portion was undoubtedly the true challenge. Having never swam a full 25 yards, I faced my fears and took the plunge. Since that first sprint in 2011, I have competed in multiple half and full marathons, Olympic distance, off-road, half, and full iron triathlon events.

By early 2014, I was secretly eyeing Ironman Boulder and started looking at the possibility of acquiring a triathlon coach. Fortunately, I found TriDot and eagerly participated in the Feedback Program. Years later I continue to be motivated by the TriDot training system and still feel the butterflies with each new swim, bike, or run assessment. I may not ever qualify for Kona, but I am glad to say that through five years of TriDot training guidance, I have remained free from injury, am 60 pounds lighter, and have increased my composite “dots” by 23! Never say impossible!