Based on the title, you probably already know my big news! A few weeks ago, I registered for the Ironman 70.3 race in Madison, Wisconsin. This race will be on September 6th, 2025. I am super excited and of course nervous for this amazing opportunity. Training is going to be a journey and consistency is key. In this blog post, I’m going to answer some basic questions about what an Ironman 70.3 is and why I chose to sign up.
What is an Ironman 70.3?
An Ironman 70.3, also known as a Half Ironman, is a long-distance triathlon event that consists of three parts: swimming, cycling, and running. The race covers a total distance of 70.3 miles (113 kilometers), which is half the distance of a full Ironman triathlon.
The event begins with a 1.2-mile (1.9 km) swim, usually in open water, followed by a 56-mile (90 km) bike ride on varied terrain, and finishes with a 13.1-mile (21.1 km) half marathon run.
Why did I sign up? Or, in other words, am I crazy?
As a 12 year old, I completed a triathlon and ended up having a great experience. Although I have not completed another triathlon since, I have completed many running races (two marathons and four half-marathons) and even an open water race last year. An Ironman has always drawn my attention for many reasons including the fact that it is an incredible personal achievement. It’s a test of physical endurance, mental toughness, and perseverance. I also love setting big goals for myself and this is certainly a big goal.
Why did I choose Madison?
I was born in Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin and lived mostly there until I was 12. Wisconsin has a very special place in my heart and Madison is one of my favorite cities in the U.S. Knowing the city already gives me a sense of security and familiarity since the rest of the race and weekend will all be brand new. Additionally, I was mindful of my family when choosing Wisconsin. In almost all of my races, they’ve been there to cheer me on and I know as I tackle my biggest race yet, I’ll need them there to support me. Finally, I completed my very first marathon in Wausau and have the best memories of that day. I hope that this can bring the same.
Other Information:
Overall, I have a lot of long and hard training days ahead of me but I could not be more ready to tackle them. I’m scared, don’t get me wrong, but this fear gives me strength and makes me want to accomplish my goal more than anything. If you want to follow along with my training, I am trying to make daily TikToks to document my training which you can watch here. Also, I am hoping to update with blog posts every so often as well. If you have any advice for me, please reach out! I will take anything I can get. 🙂
Here is a collection of photos from past races I have done. I cannot wait to add Ironman to these.
You go girl! (Also, insert something humorous here, such as, "if you need advice talk to me, I saw a marathon once", or "run fast." You decide, I'm tired just from thinking about it. )