On Endurance

In my conversation today I speak with a long time friend and athlete, Jen Keith, on pursuing endurance. In 2009, Jen and I were both introduced to triathlon and raced our first ever half-ironman triathlon in Wilmington North Carolina. We were two absolute goobers who had no idea what we were doing, but had willpower like none other to finish with our heads high. Jen is as competitive as they come and has gone on to compete in many different races and has even gone on to compete at in the World Championship ironman event in Kona Hawaii. She qualified again and plans to be back in Hawaii this fall to give Kona all she’s got. Thankfully, this race is televised. I can’t wait to watch her attack this brutal course. Endurance racing is humbling. Jen and I both agree that training for this sport has made us more inspired, disciplined and resilient human beings. I hope that this conversation both inspires and encourages you in whatever it is that you’re facing today.

High points:

  • How Jen got started in sport (swimming competitively before and after school as a kid) and how that transitioned into triathlon.

  • How training and coaching has made Jen a better teacher and human being.

  • Describes triathlon distances:

    • Sprint - .5 mile swim - 12.4 mile bike - 3.1 mile run

    • Olympic - Distances vary but typically about half of a half-ironman or double a sprint

    • Half-Ironman - 1.2 mile swim - 56 mile bike - 13 mile run

    • Ironman: 2.4 mile swim - 112 mile bike - 26 mile run

  • Training for these endurance races and the value of working with a coach

  • The cost of competing in the sport, race fees and equipment to purchase to participate

  • USAT (USA Triathlon) and what they’re doing to make the sport more accessible

  • The qualifiers for competing at World Championships.

  • Being a competitive person and embracing both your strengths and weaknesses. Getting out of your head.

  • Prioritizing nutrition and fuel in workouts and races.

  • Her experience at Kona World Championship and heading back in 2021.

  • Jen’s work as an endurance coach with HIT endurance coaching.

  • What she loves about training - the day in and day out grind.

Social Links:

Follow Jen and her training on instagram.

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Ivey Baker