Sponsor News: Joining the Huub Team

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Sponsor News: Joining the Huub Team

As a first year pro, I am very excited to make an announcement regarding sponsorship for the 2015 season. After 3 seasons of racing in a hand-me-down wetsuit I am very much looking forward to having my very own, brand spanking new Huub wetsuit! If all the swimming that is in my horizon once I am back in the swing of structured training does not make me faster, this wetsuit most certainly will. I have no doubt that I will have a new personal best in the swim after the first race of the season.

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My Latest Endeavor: Whole30

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My Latest Endeavor: Whole30

On Monday January 5, 2015 I started Whole30. When I explained what it was to my family and close friends, I could tell by the looks on their faces they were thinking “As if Emily wasn’t crazy enough.” You may have heard about this Paleo-esque diet (for lack of a better term, I dislike the “d” word). It is really Paleo on steroids, as is not only eliminates gluten, but there are no grains, period. In addition it excludes sugar, soy, dairy, legumes, and alcohol. In the spirit of Whole 30, you are also supposed to limit snacking and there is no re-creation of things like muffins or pancakes with Whole 30 approved ingredients. Holy wow! This is definitely going to be a challenge.

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Why Go Pro?

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Why Go Pro?

Why go pro? A good question, particularly at a time when there seems to be dwindling support of professionals in the sport by one of the largest and arguably most influential brands in triathlon, Ironman. While the announcement of professional prize purses at Challenge races brightened my day, I am not in it for the money (or the fame). Of course I would love to earn a paycheck by doing what I love-one of the reasons I am going into medicine-but I know as a professional triathlete you don’t just get a paycheck by showing up to work. With the restructuring of prize money and some companies pulling back on their financial support of professional athletes, cash is going to be a lot harder to come by, especially as a first year pro.

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Keep Calm and Offseason On

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Keep Calm and Offseason On

It is hard to believe that Kona was over two months ago, and now seems like an almost distant memory and I am deep into the offseason. In the weeks leading up to Kona, and other occasions throughout the season, there were times where I was so exhausted from training that I looked longingly past October 11 to the offseason and the opportunities I would be presented with given the fact I would have more free time. As it turns out, the grass isn't always greener in the offseason. 

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Hot Off The Press: A Look Back On Ironman Hawaii

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Hot Off The Press: A Look Back On Ironman Hawaii

One of my hometown papers ran a wonderful story about my season and my race at the Ironman World Championships. It is quite an honor to have made the front-page of the Hopewell Express. Since hitting the news stands I have gotten many messages from family and friends, many of whom I have not seen or heard from in years. I am very moved hearing from old high school friends how my story has been an inspiration. 

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2014 Season in Review

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2014 Season in Review

My quest began Thanksgiving 2013, when I decided I would take one shot to qualify for Kona by winning my age group at Eagleman 70.3. I was in the midst of my surgery rotation as a third year medical student and with residency fast approaching this would likely be my last chance to make the trip to the Big Island for an indefinite period of time. I signed-up for the race, but put training on hold for several more months of demanding rotations on the hospital wards.

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Thankful Thursday: Thanksgiving Day Edition

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Thankful Thursday: Thanksgiving Day Edition

Happy Thanksgiving! In this final installment of Thankful Thursday I would like to take the opportunity to thank my wonderful family. They have been my biggest fans and supporters through my entire athletic career.  While they would have been just as happy if I put serious competition behind me at the end of my collegiate running career to focus 100% on my medical school studies, they have come to understand the importance of triathlon in my life and are proud of my success in both triathlon and medical school.

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Thankful Thursday: Part IV

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Thankful Thursday: Part IV

This week I am showing my love for Philadelphia Bikesmith, the only bike shop I know that likes the color pink as much as I do! In fact, Sam, who is one of the mechanics, loves pink so much that every time I bring in my pink road bike, he drops everything he is doing, and puts my bike in the stand even if it is already perfectly tuned. This is just one example of how the guys at Bikesmith go above and beyond for me. I do not think there are enough words to express my appreciation!

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Exciting News for Triathlon in North America! It Made My Day!

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Exciting News for Triathlon in North America! It Made My Day!

It is Friday (woot) so any number of things could have made me happy today, such as the fact that I did not have to be in until 10 o'clock this morning and I still was able to get out early, but what really made my day was the big announcement made by Challenge Family today. If I was standing when I read the news I definitely would have jumped for joy! I am so glad to hear that Challenge Family is making an effort to support the role professionals in the sport of triathlon.

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Thankful Thursday: Part III

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Thankful Thursday: Part III

This Thursday I need to thank the bike shop, which was the first one I called "my shop," and where my triathlon career began to take flight, Breakaway Bikes. I cannot really recall my first visit to the shop or why I chose Breakaway over any number of other bike shops in Center City Philadelphia in the fall of 2011, but I am glad that my instincts lead me to the right place. It is the shop that nurtured me from a novice triathlete with no knowledge about bikes, to an experienced elite who knows a great deal more about bikes. 

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