personal
favorite quote of all time?
Our lives are not determined by what happens to us, but by how we react to what happens, not by what life brings us, but by the attitude we bring to life. A positive attitude causes a chain reaction of positive thoughts, events and outcomes. It is a catalyst, a spark that creates extraordinary results. –unknown
would you rather be able to fly or be invisible? why?
Oh, man… can I do both at the same time?! Riding my bike is close to flying. Being invisible could be creepy. So probably fly. How cool would it be to have a birds-eye view of the world?! And if it meant you could get from a to b really fast, yes. Better superhero trait: time travel.
who’s been your biggest role model in life?
My Grandma and Grandpa Klegstad ♥ They’ve taught us all that you’re only as old as you think you are, to stay active, love hard, have fun, enjoy life, smile, family is everything, and kindness always.
what’s the most valuable lesson you’ve learned in your 30s?
TIME. It keeps going so chase your dreams, remember that what you choose today impacts tomorrow, spend time with those you matter most, live your best life every damn day, and be kind to everyone.
favorite pizza toppings?
Growing up, I usually pulled all the toppings off pizza and just ate the saucy crust. And then for a long time I wouldn’t even eat pizza – because I thought it was a “bad” food. (It’s not.) Now I order pepperoni + mushroom every single time.
what do you do for work?
I’m a UX writer at a cybersecurity company. What’s UX writing? You know all those little interactions you have on the web when you’re checking out at Amazon or Delta (or any website) – the buttons you click, the short copy that helps you flow through an experience on the web? That’s the type of microcopy I write. It’s short, but mighty – and really hard to write.
where are your favorite places to shop?
This is always evolving as I get more into better quality vs. quantity and fast fashion. And with pandemic work-from-home life, it’s mostly about sweats and soft pants – The Great, lululemon, and Vuori are favorites. Other closet staples: Apiece Apart, Everlane, Mother denim, and Rachel Pally.
what are the top three destinations on your bucket list?
- Seychelles
- Maldives
- Croatia
- Norway (July 2019!)
- all of South America
- Vietnam
- Hawaii, always
what are your favorite Minneapolis neighborhoods?
This is a tough one! Obviously where we live in the south Minneapolis, Standish Ericsson. It’s close to so much – Angry Catfish coffee + bike, Minnehaha Creek, River Road, fantastic restaurants we bike to all summer, fantastic neighbors. But we also love the North Loop downtown and pretty much all of south Minneapolis.
training
what does Luma do when you’re on the trainer?
In between an occasional visit to say hello, she usually lounges in the porch (if it’s warm outside – our porch isn’t heated) or she sleeps on the sofa or in her cozy cave.
any suggestions to make the trainer more enjoyable?
I do nearly all of my bike workouts on the trainer vs. riding outside for a couple reasons – safety and to maximize my time. Here’s what makes it better for me:
- a good playlist!
- Netflix and Hulu, but only during easy spins
- interval-based workouts
- a power meter – because who doesn’t love to watch their watts?!
swim 5k, bike 200k or run 22 miles? favorite and least favorite long workout?
Ahh… don’t make me choose! I like them all for different reasons, but if forced to choose: a 200k bike!
I have a love-hate relationship with the long tempo run. I had a few 60- to 90-minute ones last year that made me so anxious. But once I was in it, it felt good – they were big confidence boosters!
I’m probably the odd person out, but long trainer rides are one of my favorite workouts. Headphones in, music up (loud) and GO.
favorite run workouts?
A mix! All the EASY low heart rate runs (way easier than you think they should be!) because #slowisthenewfast. Faster than goal pace tempo in the middle a long run. Some short + punchy speed work (though I don’t do a ton of this). Consistency is queen.
racing
do you like racing shorter distances or is it all about IM?
You know, it’s been probably five years since I’ve done anything shorter than a 70.3! It’s not that I dislike short stuff… it just hasn’t worked with any IM build (because recovery!). I love the long stuff. It’s such a good mental challenge.
do you ever get race anxiety?
Hmm… a little?! Lots of butterflies and nerves that make it hard to eat dinner the night before and breakfast on race day. But mostly, I’m just so damn excited that I *get* to chase my light.
how do you pick your goal races?
Here are a few guidelines I follow:
- I love exploring somewhere new that can be a vacation, too.
- preferably a race with LOTS of climbing
- how it fits in with my life
- time of year
- lots of chats with Nick and my coach
- is it gonna be the same time as my period?
what advice would you give someone who’s considering their first ironman?
Follow a plan and/or hire a coach. Consistency is key. Be prepared to say no to some stuff. Make sure your family’s on board and supportive. Find your squad. Ask questions (we all started somewhere!). Have FUN.
what advice do you have for someone looking to move from 70.3 to 140.6?
Mostly the same as the previous question. But also: take it one day at a time. Enjoy the journey. Know that it’ll suck some days and that you won’t wanna train (and that’s ok). Never give up. Control the controllables. Not everything will go according to plan. What matters is how you respond when it doesn’t.
what’s your main driver behind ironmans?
Ooo… this is a goodie. Because it makes me feel alive. Because I love seeing what I’m capable of. Because it empowers me in all other areas of my life. Because I love the training grind.
you don’t carry a flat kit when racing?! what would you do if you got a flat during a race?!
Livin’ on the edge! Before every big race, my bike fairy (that’s Nick) installs fancy new race tires and new latex tubes (that are filled with a sealant). So I guess if I flatted I’d be waiting for race support! I never ever think about getting a flat – I don’t wanna attract that kind of negativity!
what’s your favorite IM course?
Without a doubt, IRONMAN Wisconsin ♥ But Mont-Tremblant is a really close second.
nutrition, hydration and recovery
what do you use for your bike hydration?
I’ve tried a lot of hydration products over the years, but the one that’s been constant since 2013 and always been stocked in our kitchen is Skratch Labs. I can honestly say I’ve never once had gut rot or gotten sick of the flavor. The lemon & lime is my go-to for nearly every workout.
electrolyte drinks or tablets?
Skratch Labs for my electrolytes. And surprisingly I’ve never used electrolyte tablets ever.
do you track macros?
I don’t. I eat mostly: real foods, green smoothies for breakfast, dark chocolate daily, limited dairy, usually no meat before dinner, plenty of pizza, lots of oat milk lattes from Angry Catfish, carbs FTW (coconut rice and quinoa are favorites).
what’s your favorite way to recover after an ironman?
Green smoothies, all the sleep!, a few vacation days exploring a new city, easy swims and bikes (and no running for 4-6 weeks), and snuggles with Luma ♥
general triathlon
how did you find a tri coach? or recommend how to find one?
I got lucky – my coach Andy coached Nick first and agreed to coach me after my first ironman in 2013. Advice for finding a coach who’s the best fit for you: ask friends for recommendations, and interview to find one who fits with your goals and lifestyle. And remember: credentials or coaching certs aren’t absolutely necessary, but experience is (experience meaning racing at a high level).
how do you stay motivated?
- learning what I’m capable of
- for the love of moving my body and sweating
- setting a BHAG and lots of smaller ones to get there
- taking it one day at a time
- remembering that I GET to do this – and some days I’m not motivated at all! And then it’s all about just DOING THE WORK