Tri Beginner‘s Luck

Breaking Out with Kaylee Slade

 

Looking for mental health relief from the pandemic and medical school, Kaylee Slade turned to triathlon, thanks to the 2020 Summer Olympics. You may have guessed it, but Kaylee is new to the sport, and after a rocky first race, the competitor inside awakened, and Kaylee experienced a breakout first year, qualifying for her professional card. 

 

Recently, Kaylee raced her first professional race at Clash Miami, where she ran down everyone with the fastest run split of the day.  

 

Kaylee is the quintessential covid triathlete. She entered the sport, struggling to find a bike with a limited supply chain. She learned how to train via virtual coaching while teaching herself to swim and shaving over 40 seconds off her 100 time. And, at the end of her beginning: she became a professional triathlete! You are thinking what I am thinking:  Kaylee is superhuman, with triathlon as her superpower.

 

Let’s Listen!

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Bonus Miles: More Timing with Laura Ragucci

Sometimes you just have more to say after you’ve lived through an experience.  That was the case with Laura and I.  We recently worked on a race together and had to share the behind the scene on the scene action with you.  Enjoy!

Timing is everything with Laura Ragucci

More so than your average athlete, Laura Ragucci knows that timing is everything. As a race timer, she knows that so much rides on the accuracy of time.  We all want our proper placement, and Laura is the woman who makes sure that happens. 

 

In this episode, we talk with triathlete and timer Laura Ragucci, who shares the importance of a timer's role. And, because this is Tri Beginner’s Luck, we learn about her first triathlon experience as well. 

 

Laura believes that timing is the linchpin of ensuring a race is not only fun but fair and accurate.  Timers are a dedicated group of people working under stressful conditions to solve any chip or timing issue in real time.  They are the folks who make sure time is on your side! 

 

Laura also shares with us her journey in triathlon from Sprint to Ironman, and there is no distance she hasn’t conquered.  

 

It’s time to listen,  Let’s Tri this! 

 

Don’t forget to leave a review, share it with your friends, and follow Tri Beginner's Luck on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.  And send any questions or feedback you have to  tblpodbiz@tribeginnersluck.com. 

 

Radical Joy with Keshia Roberson -

An accomplished distance runner and multisport athlete, Keshia Roberson knows how to empower athletes by organizing and getting communities to move. She is a member of the Artemis Racing Team and a run ambassador for Pacers Running. She is filled with radical joy - and wants to share that with everyone.    

 

Keshia is a multisport athlete who has participated in duathlon and triathlons and is now exploring cycling racing.  There are no limits to what Keshia can accomplish, and she continues to push the boundaries to create a legacy through sport.  

 

Like many of us, 2020 was a pivotal year, and we had lots of time to think and get creative. While researching the history of Black cyclists, Keshia learned about five black women who took a bicycle trip in 1928 from New York to Washington, DC. This inspired Keshia to do her own tour, and the 1928 Legacy Tour was born, which sparked the creation of Major Knox Adventures. 

 

Keshia says she is committed to using movement as a way to empower people's growth, healing, and joy. 

 

Let’s get into this! 

 

Don’t forget to leave a review, share it with your friends, and follow Tri Beginner's Luck on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.  And send any questions or feedback you have to  tblpodbiz@tribeginnersluck.com. 

Kindness Behind the Lens with Mark Evans and Lynette “Netty” Nygard

When a love for photography is coupled with a love for racing, you get a power couple passionate about capturing memories and sharing them with the world.  Mark Evan and Netty Nygard are behind The Nordica Photography, celebrating their year anniversary this month.  

 

This duo has a unique story; both are one of nine children, have an incredible race history, and have a lot of heart to give to the community.  They travel to races, including their own, to capture unique moments they can share with the athletes later.

 

Netty is completing her first year as a triathlete.  She is participating in three triathlons, all different distances, while Mark is an avid triathlete who qualified for World Championships 70.3 and raced until his day was cut short. Want to hear more of that story? You’ll have to tune in!

 

This episode is a journey of highs and lows filled with joy and tears.  It’s one you don’t want to miss. 

 

Follow Mark and Netty @thenordicaphotography you never know… they may have captured you!  

Don’t forget to leave a review, share it with your friends, and follow Tri Beginner's Luck on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.  And send any questions or feedback you have to  tblpodbiz@tribeginnersluck.com.

More Women On Every Start Line with Lynn Mattix

Ten years in the Triathlon Game, Lynn Mattix has shown, time and again, that she is a true ambassador for the sport.  She is a woman on purpose with purpose, and she wants to continue to give to sport for years to come. 

 

Over the course of Lynn’s race career, she has finished over 5 Ironman races, 10x 70.3 finishes qualifying for the World Championships, and a host of marathons, including Conquer the Wall on the Great Wall of China. 

 

But, her passion for the sport is about more than herself. She wants to see more women share her experiences in endurance sports. That is why she started Fund Her Tri in 2019 with the goal of getting more women to every starting line by eliminating the financial barrier that keeps many from starting to tri.  She also co-founded Rise & Tri Triathlete Mentor Program to help women feel empowered and informed throughout their triathlon journey. 

 

Join us as we talk with Lynn about all things tri - and learn how we can get more women on every starting line. 

 

Visit Fund Her Tri for ways you can get involved and to give. 

 

Don’t forget to leave a review, share it with your friends, and follow Tri Beginner's luck on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.  And send any questions or feedback you have to  tblpodbiz@tribeginnersluck.com.  

Unlock your curiosity with María Paredes Fernández

Community Focused. Advocate. Leader. Ph.D. Student. Triathlete.  Maria Paredes Fernandez is all these things and more.   

 

Growing up, Maria had to focus on education; however, as an adult, Maria has fully accepted her athletic calling while still pursuing her Ph.d. Maria realized she didn’t have to choose between education and sport, yet could do both and do them well.

 

Maria is the vice president of T3 Philly and has presented as a panelist in the "Diversity and Equity in the Sport of Triathlon" seminar at the 2021 Philly Bike Expo and as a panelist for a talk "Intro to Multisport" in 2022 put on by the Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia.    She loves the multisport community and believes all voices should be heard because there is always another story to tell.  Oh, and Maria is the fierce face of Varlo. 

 

Buckle up … this is a good one. 

 

Don’t forget to leave a review, share it with your friends, and follow Tri Beginner's luck on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.  And send any questions or feedback you have to  tblpodbiz@tribeginnersluck.com.  

Harmonizing Mind, Body, and Spirit with Sister Madonna Buder

 

Sister Madona Buder is the world record holder for being the oldest woman to ever finish an Ironman Triathlon.  Most recently, at 92, she completed the Sprint Triathalon at  USA Triathlon Age Group Nationals. 

 

She is witty, wise, and an excellent conversationalist.  This episode is one where you can just sit back, listen, and imagine being in the room listening to amazing stories. 

 

Sister Madonna shares her six  D’s that she lives by and has helped her during her triathlon journey.  We hope that it inspires you to tri and never give up. 

 

On your mark, get set, and listen! 

 

Don’t forget to leave a review, share it with your friends, and follow Tri Beginner's luck on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.  And send any questions or feedback you have to  tblpodbiz@tribeginnersluck.com.

 

What Are You Waiting For with Heather Jackson

You don’t need a plan before you try.  Sometimes, you just have to go for it and put your faith in the journey. The most adventurous roads can lead us to places we never even imagined. Heather Jackson isn’t afraid of this type of adventure, and as her fans, we are lucky to share in her journey. 

 

From Division 1 Ice Hockey to an Ironman Champion, Jackson is a force to be reckoned with. Most recently, she is trying beginner's luck with ultra running and gravel racing.  

 

Heather's textbook beginner story is what it’s all about, and there is so much to relate to in her story!  She teaches us that you never know unless you Tri.  

 

Yall, it’s time to listen and TRI! 

 

Don’t forget to leave a review, share it with your friends, and follow Tri Beginner's luck on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.  And send any questions or feedback you have to  tblpodbiz@tribeginnersluck.com.  

Announcing the Dream with Tony Lugo

Hearing your name called when you cross the finish line is one of the coolest and most anticipated parts of racing.  This week, we hear stories from race announcer, Tony Lugo, who is also a triathlete and former triathlon coach. 

 

Tony announces for Ironman and cycling events around the world.  He is a 13-time Ironman Finisher, 4-time Marathon Major’s Finisher, and 1-time Challenge Roth finisher.  You would think he has been an athlete all his life, but like many, Tony got his start as an adult running marathons. One day, he saw an Ironman race on TV, decided he wanted to be called an Ironman, and watched every day until he became one in 1999.  

 

Like many triathletes, Tony had the dream, visualized it,  and implemented the action plan to make it happen. Even though Tony had to learn to swim, he didn’t see that as a problem. He accepted that challenge and had three first-time experiences in one season. 

 

Tony will tell you he made the varsity team in partying, and we are glad he did as he is the life of the finish line parties.

 

It’s Listen Time… 

 

Don’t forget to leave a review, share it with your friends, and follow Tri Beginner's luck on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.  And send any questions or feedback you have to  tblpodbiz@tribeginnersluck.com.