Average Age Groupers

Holly and Laura record outdoors without Maggie and interview Holly’s husband Aaron about his endurance journey, from farm work and high school cross country, track, and wrestling to a 20-year sports break, then returning via 5Ks and 10Ks sparked by a friend’s challenge. Aaron shares learning to swim from scratch, early sprint triathlons including a rainy Sugar River debut with a 17-minute 400-yard swim, transition mishaps, and open-water fear, plus a brutal cold, rainy duathlon. He recounts COVID-era cancellations, a self-directed 70.3 simulation and a 2.4-mile swim, then 2021 races including chaotic Des Moines and a strong Door County 70.3 before completing his first Ironman Wisconsin in under 12.5 hours after swim panic and nutrition mistakes. The episode culminates with Blue Ridge logistics, a punishing climb, and an extended rolldown that ultimately earns Aaron a 70.3 Worlds slot.00:00 Outdoor Intro and Guest01:17 Farm Life and Early Sports03:13 Back to Running and Racing06:10 Triathlon Spark and Swim Struggles08:07 First Tri Chaos at Sugar River11:28 More Races and Rough Conditions16:34 Cold Duathlon Survival Story19:17 Marathons and Chicago Highlights21:31 Joining a Tri Team and Open Water Breakthroughs26:41 Ironman Plans Meet COVID28:38 Lost Tri Series 70.3 Simulation30:07 Solo Big Swell Swim31:37 Des Moines Chaos34:22 Door County Breakthrough35:49 Wetsuit Party Wave36:44 Ironman Wisconsin Swim Panic39:57 Bike Nutrition Reality Check41:13 Worlds Dream Sparks43:07 Blue Ridge Prep Surprises45:09 Blue Ridge Brutal Bike54:03 Roll Down Slot Drama01:00:13 Wrap Up Next RacesListen to the Pod here:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/average-age-groupers/id1889949099https://open.spotify.com/show/2LJ6G7l1oIRZUIa3lo7NFphttps://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUYFKP1OYAMiMR1Ve36fOAwhttps://www.instagram.com/averageagegroupers/https://averageagegroupers.substack.com/?r=79664q&utm_campaign=pub-share-checklist

In this episode of Average Age Groupers, hosts Holly, Maggie, and Laura debrief the Unbound 200 gravel race just days after finishing, comparing drastically different experiences shaped by relentless, shifting weather (multiple thunderstorms, hail, heavy rain), mud, wind, and technical terrain. Laura and Tarah SAG the riders and describe chaotic conditions at checkpoints, while Holly recounts riding the full 200 with Aaron, including creek bike-washes, night riding, chafing, crashes, cows on course, and navigating storms to the finish. Maggie details major setbacks from electrolyte issues and heat to running out of water, a broken computer mount, improvised duct-tape repairs, scrambling for lights at mile 160, and emotional lows despite completing the race. They discuss concerns about course safety, limited signage, and how the low-ceremony finish contrasted with triathlon, then close with gratitude to supporters and a look ahead to future races.00:00 Tri Bike Gravel Fail00:40 Unbound Recap Setup01:36 Meet The Hosts03:21 Race Morning Jitters05:17 Expo And Briefing10:01 Mass Start Magic11:53 Early Miles And Hail14:05 Crashes And Mud Spray16:12 Back Of Pack Vibes19:16 Creek Wash And Checkpoint22:56 Pit Stop Nutrition Wins25:06 Storms Tailwind Headwind35:20 Headwind Time Warp37:16 Mud Hills And Storms39:16 Safety Concerns On Course42:44 Aid Station Reset And Fuel44:57 Chaotic Checkpoint Setup48:02 Mechanical Fixes And Heat51:53 Minimum Maintenance Mayhem53:40 Water Crisis And Navigation01:03:33 160 Mile Aid Station Repairs01:09:18 Night Riding Final Miles01:12:57 Lightning And Downpour01:14:15 Technical Walk Sections01:15:57 Shelter Warning Decision01:18:13 Cows And Leapfrogging01:21:16 Night Riding Reflections01:22:54 Finish Line Storm Push01:25:29 Crew Tarp Humor01:26:39 Mud Crash Final Miles01:31:13 Finish Feelings Growth01:35:56 Post Race Disappointment01:38:24 Lessons Expectations Ultra Vibe01:43:23 Thank Yous And Wrap Uphttps://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/average-age-groupers/id1889949099https://open.spotify.com/show/2LJ6G7l1oIRZUIa3lo7NFphttps://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUYFKP1OYAMiMR1Ve36fOAwhttps://www.instagram.com/averageagegroupers/

Holly, Maggie, and Laura record together in Emporia, Kansas ahead of the Unbound gravel race, reflecting on how the final weeks went and whether they feel ready. Maggie describes heavy work stress limiting her usual pre-race planning, while Holly shares an anxious “taper crazies” experience, hunger, HR work stress, and ongoing post-car-accident issues; Laura discusses the challenge of SAG support with wide timing windows between checkpoints. They compare bike prep choices, wide 54mm tires with minimal clearance, padded bars, and chain waxing versus new tubeless tires and failed CushCore inserts and worry about mud, flats, and self-sufficiency. They outline fueling (carb mixes, gels, maple syrup, rice sandwiches, cookies, electrolytes, Red Bull, sandwiches, salty snacks), pacing and checkpoint strategy under a 21-hour cutoff, gear and clothing plans, and a mindset shaped by Ironman experience and Courtney Dauwalter’s “pain cave” framing.00:00 Emporia Water Tower Intro00:47 Podcast Setup and Plan02:33 Taper Stress Check In06:42 SAG Logistics and Timing07:44 Bike Comfort Upgrades12:28 New Bike and Tire Setup14:11 Flat Fears and Spares16:29 Nutrition and Caffeine Plan23:13 Race Day Timeline Strategy23:39 Ideal Day and Aid Stations28:24 Holly Pace Expectations29:26 Pacing Without Power31:05 Cutoff Math and Aid Stops33:17 Course Elevation Confusion35:14 Wind and Weather Factors35:49 Expo Plans and 350 Start39:17 Race Kit and Gear Choices42:41 Tara Cameo and Moab 24045:50 Endurance Mindset and Pain Cave53:52 Race Day Wrap and Plugshttps://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUYFKP1OYAMiMR1Ve36fOAwhttps://www.instagram.com/averageagegroupers/https://averageagegroupers.substack.com/

Holly, Laura, and Maggie discuss the purpose of Average Age Groupers—sharing everyday endurance-sport stories and perspectives on training, rest, and balance—then dive into their Ironman Wisconsin build and race-day experiences. They describe winter base work indoors, a key 70.3 at Musselman, and how training escalated after mid-July, including nutrition struggles, bike discomfort, and the mental toll of long solo rides. They emphasize the expense of Ironman, the value of coaching for accountability, and especially the community that formed around their training, highlighted by a large supported “simulation” long ride where Laura hit a breaking point but kept going. On race day, Holly manages the windy bike and finishes with late-run support, while Laura battles headwinds, barely makes T2 cutoff, runs with Casey, and finishes in an emotional last-minute sprint amid news the run course was about a mile long.00:00 Welcome Back Crew00:55 Why Rest Matters01:27 Ironman Wisconsin Tease02:30 Bike Bag And California03:19 Why Full Ironman Now04:58 Winter Base Building07:02 Musselman Tune Up Race08:12 When Training Gets Real09:42 Bike Struggles And Bonking11:55 Coach Costs And Budget14:44 Community Makes It Possible18:33 Longest Ride Simulation Day21:22 Cemetery Breakdown And Coke26:58 Race Day Starts Swim Calm30:55 Bike Headwind Reality Check33:10 Chasing on the Bike34:01 Mount Horeb Breakdown35:17 Wind and Three Hills36:48 Loop Two and Empty Crowds38:54 Tailwind Back to Town40:50 T2 Tales and Cutoffs43:01 Illegal Pacer Run44:36 Course Changes and Safety47:49 Watch Dies and Bargaining51:15 Finish Line Reflections53:16 Cutoff Panic Sprint58:45 Tears and Unfinished Business01:01:27 Wrap Up GoodbyeListen to the Pod here:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/average-age-groupers/id1889949099https://open.spotify.com/show/2LJ6G7l1oIRZUIa3lo7NFphttps://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUYFKP1OYAMiMR1Ve36fOAwhttps://www.instagram.com/averageagegroupers/https://waterfallracing.comhttps://www.instagram.com/forwardenduranceclub/

Holly and Maggie open the Average Age Groupers podcast with guests Emir and Alyssa.They recap a 140-mile out-and-back ride on the flat C&O Canal path, and share lessons about needing solid food (not just carb drink mix), managing nonstop pedaling, rotating pulls, and recovering enough to ride again the next day. Emir explains his role in a corporate-owned Trek location, how he got into cycling through his brother-in-law coach after a soccer background, and what crits, road races, upgrade points, team tactics, and safety rules like holding your line and the yellow-line rule involve. He describes racing frequently, training mostly indoors on a trainer after work, and recent road-race experiences including a fast collegiate-combined field, a major crash, and a third-place finish. Emir also recounts Steamboat gravel race attempts, including under-fueling, a cracked wheel, and finishing 82nd, plus discussion of sleep, supplements, and future cyclocross and Colorado race ideas.00:00 Podcast Setup Chaos00:37 Welcome and Kansas Plans02:41 140 Mile Gravel Recap06:48 Second Day Suffering08:29 Inside the Trek Shop10:40 How Amir Started Racing13:12 Crit Racing Explained15:54 From Soccer to Bike Shops16:57 Pandemic Bike Shop Carnage21:28 Mallorca Trip Changed Everything24:31 Team Racing and Masters28:05 Sleep and Recovery Detour30:19 Race Season Routine30:42 Indoor Trainer Routine31:06 Hains Point Loops32:08 Weekly Training Plan33:31 Jeff Cup Race Tactics37:19 Sprint Finish Crash39:46 Racing Logistics Prep41:27 Upgrade Points Explained46:40 Cyclocross Bucket List48:10 Steamboat Gravel Stories54:26 Fueling And Gels56:27 Colorado Race Wishlist58:31 Wrap Up Next EpisodesListen to the Pod here:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/average-age-groupers/id1889949099https://open.spotify.com/show/2LJ6G7l1oIRZUIa3lo7NFphttps://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUYFKP1OYAMiMR1Ve36fOAwhttps://www.instagram.com/averageagegroupers/https://waterfallracing.comhttps://www.instagram.com/forwardenduranceclub/

Laura, Holly, and Maggie introduce Average Age Groupers, explain they’re part of Waterfall Racing, and share details about their local community team, Forward Endurance Club (formerly Forward Tri Club), built around uncoached group workouts and post-training coffee and tacos. They then dive into Holly’s background: early track, years running a horse training business, returning to running after burnout, completing 5Ks and the 2016 Madison Half, and a rapid leap into ultras through MadPower and Her Madison, culminating in a grueling Fall 50-mile race marked by headwinds, strict cutoffs, celiac-fueled self-support, and finishing unofficially in the dark. After a long break from running, Holly transitions toward triathlon, learns to swim during COVID, completes a local “Last Tri Series,” then races Door County Sprint and Boulder 70.3, later adding Wisconsin 70.3, North Carolina 70.3, and Ironman Wisconsin 2024, with future episodes and guests teased and a request to like, comment, rate, and engage for algorithm support.00:00 Meet the Hosts00:37 Shoutouts and Listener Love01:09 Waterfall Racing Explained03:59 Forward Endurance Club Vibes06:43 Holly Concussion Update07:39 Early Sports and Horses11:32 Back to Running and First 5Ks13:38 First Half Marathon Lessons18:42 MadPower and Ultra Leap23:35 Fall 50 Training Grind27:49 Race Day Headwind and Finish37:00 Finish Line Letdown38:10 Post Race Breakdown39:42 Why Keep Racing43:31 Chicago Marathon Takeaways46:22 Tri Bike Leap48:08 Learning To Swim49:14 COVID Open Water Era53:00 First Official Triathlons53:39 Boulder Breakthrough57:22 All In On Triathlon01:00:53 Gravel Goals Next01:01:25 Wrap Up And Next EpisodesListen to the Pod here:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/average-age-groupers/id1889949099https://open.spotify.com/show/2LJ6G7l1oIRZUIa3lo7NFphttps://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUYFKP1OYAMiMR1Ve36fOAwhttps://www.instagram.com/averageagegroupers/

Holly, Maggie, and Laura open the “Average Age Groupers” episode with Maggie drinking wine at a winery while Holly tries to recover from a concussion and Laura jokes she’s only starting 70.3 training after Unbound. They discuss being four weeks out from Unbound and compare training approaches: Maggie blends the Unbound/Garmin plan with triathlon training, while Holly works with coach Ann Tully, who emphasizes recovery and weekly volume over “hero workouts,” especially after Holly’s recent car accident. Maggie outlines a planned 140-mile gravel ride on the C&O Canal and a 46-mile hilly ride, while Holly expects two consecutive 100+ mile weekends before tapering. They also cover equipment planning—bigger tires, tubeless inserts, bar comfort, lights, hydration packs, nutrition, and drop-tail bibs—plus Unbound rules, checkpoints, cutoffs, and the need for support crews.00:00 Winery Chaos Intro00:55 Meet the Age Groupers03:13 Four Weeks to Unbound03:47 Training Plans Compared05:34 Longest Rides and Taper07:56 Recovery Over Hero Workouts11:30 Coaching and Life Stress14:20 Bike Shop Reality Check15:57 Gear Talk for Unbound19:22 Tires Inserts and Comfort24:47 Support Rules and Checkpoints26:24 What to Wear and Mishaps27:28 Bibs Blowout Drama28:00 Drop Tail Bib Hunt30:07 Castelli Fit And Features31:06 Hydration Pack Experiments34:00 Bike Computer Debate36:19 Travel Van And SAG Needs37:46 Course Intel And Crew Rules40:52 Cutoffs And Long Day Math42:38 Badger Ride Recap45:53 Four Weeks To Unbound47:53 IRL Pod And Sign Offhttps://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUYFKP1OYAMiMR1Ve36fOAwhttps://www.instagram.com/averageagegroupers/Anne Tully : https://annetullycoaching.com/home

In episode five of Average Age Groupers, Holly, Laura, and Maggie recap weekend gravel riding amid wild Wisconsin spring weather and apologize for episode four’s technical issues. Holly describes tackling the Dairy Roubaix gravel event while recovering from a concussion after a car accident, pivoting from the planned 111-mile route to the 70-mile option due to cold, intense wind, fear on technical descents, navigation problems, and under-fueling; she still finishes about 72 miles with roughly 6,600 feet of climbing, with Laura and Claire cheering and SAGing—famously including a rotisserie chicken stop—plus free espresso in Viroqua. They discuss practical gravel safety tips like descending technique, helmet replacement after crashes, and carrying essentials like tape, first aid, and reliable navigation/communication. Maggie shares her own 67-mile Northern Virginia gravel ride, a friend’s crash, and lessons on preparedness for Unbound.00:00 Welcome and Weather Whiplash00:48 Meet the Hosts and Episode Notes01:24 Dairy Roubaix Setup and Concussion Plan03:10 Storms Ruin the Travel Plan04:45 Race Morning Cold and Layering Up07:03 Navigation Fails and Rocky Start09:12 Brutal Climbs and Sketchy Descents11:18 First Checkpoint and Route Negotiations16:38 Coffee Shop Reset in Viroqua21:53 Wind Gusts and Surprise Singletrack26:33 Sag Stop Rotisserie Chicken Fuel28:45 Confidence Boost Then Headwind Again30:08 Terrifying Gravel Descent31:57 Practical Descending Tips35:40 Wind Tunnel Valley Grind36:59 Bathroom Break and Cramps39:03 Blurry Vision and No Stop40:34 Walking the Steep Climbs43:03 Pavement Headwind and Wrong Turn44:31 Wind and Wheel Setup Lessons46:27 Finish Line and Gravel Vibes49:12 Nutrition Debrief and Hydration Pack53:35 Recovery and Unbound Prep55:02 Maggie Gravel Ride Recap59:18 Crash Aftermath and Safety Gear01:03:10 Wrap Up and Call to ActionListen to the Pod here:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/average-age-groupers/id1889949099https://open.spotify.com/show/2LJ6G7l1oIRZUIa3lo7NFphttps://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUYFKP1OYAMiMR1Ve36fOAwhttps://www.instagram.com/averageagegroupers/

Holly, Maggie and Laura return for Episode 4 of Average Age Groupers, recording remotely after Maggie goes back to DC, and shift topics to “sherpaing” (supporting athletes). They discuss Laura’s upcoming role as Sherpa for the fully unsupported Dairy Roubaix gravel event—a 111-mile prep ride for Unbound—amid volatile weather and Holly’s concussion recovery. Using experiences from Oceanside and other races, they compare the logistics of supporting triathlons, gravel, and ultras, emphasizing packing, tracking, timing, race rules around outside aid, and the realities of carrying gear post-finish. They share practical Sherpa checklists (battery pack, layers, snacks, shoes, bags), lessons learned from mishaps like Boulder tracking issues, and which races are easy or difficult to spectate (Oceanside, Wisconsin, Santa Cruz, Chattanooga, Blue Ridge, St. George). They invite listener questions, encourage subscribing/reviews, and float starting a Strava club.00:00 Long Distance Pod Update00:41 Unsupported Gravel Sherpa Plan02:37 Dairy Roubaix Prep Ride04:05 Why Sherpas Matter10:01 Triathlon Sherpa Chaos17:16 Race Rules and Outside Aid21:57 Sherpa Checklist Essentials22:44 Sherpa Packing Checklist23:22 Post Race Comfort Items24:23 Phones And Tracking Lessons26:51 Finish Line Meet Up Plan28:42 Shoes And Bag Mistakes30:22 Timing Food And Multiple Athletes33:26 Race By Race Spectating Tips42:11 Course Maps Parking And Prep43:15 Listener Questions And Wrap Up44:39 Podcast Milestones And StravaListen to the Pod here:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/average-age-groupers/id1889949099https://open.spotify.com/show/2LJ6G7l1oIRZUIa3lo7NFphttps://www.instagram.com/averageagegroupers/

In Episode 3 of Average Age Groupers, Laura, Maggie, and Holly recap a windy Wisconsin race day where Dave ran a 50K and nine teammates paced him via a 100K relay on the hilly 6.2-mile RRB loop, a USA Track & Field championship and Worlds qualifier. They then share Laura’s endurance journey: from dancing and cheerleading to college running, an undertrained half marathon, and a net-downhill marathon, before pivoting to triathlon—signing up for a half Ironman before truly learning to swim, backstroking her first sprint at Door County, and building confidence through open-water sandbar swims during COVID. Laura finishes Ironman Wisconsin 70.3 in 2022, completes Ironman Wisconsin in 2024 after difficult bike training and scheduling around 12-hour nursing shifts, and races Chattanooga 70.3 in 2025. She’s now training for the inaugural Ironman 70.3 Redding in August.00:00 Windy Episode Intro00:37 50K Relay Recap01:42 Race Logistics Breakdown02:27 Fast Field And Course03:49 Hollys Sports Origin05:52 First Races And Half07:55 Marathon Training Chaos10:42 Marquette Marathon Day12:29 Bored Of Running13:12 Learning To Swim Late16:07 Mud Bath DNF Story18:28 Backstroke Sprint Era22:32 COVID Pond Swim Grind24:52 Signing Up For 70328:01 Nurse Schedule Training29:15 Solo Training Safety30:20 Monsoon Swim Breakthrough32:19 From Full to More Races34:39 Signing Up for Wisconsin36:48 Ironman Training Grind40:33 Wisconsin Race Day Recap44:00 Aftermath and Recovery45:28 Chattanooga and Blues47:35 Redding 70.3 Decision51:43 Coaching and Work Balance54:51 What’s Next and Wraphttps://open.spotify.com/show/2LJ6G7l1oIRZUIa3lo7NFphttps://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/average-age-groupers/id1889949099https://www.instagram.com/averageagegroupers/https://youtu.be/b-LEBOeGSm8

In episode two of the Average Age Groupers podcast, hosts Holly, Maggie, and Laura record from a hotel and dive into Maggie’s endurance journey, starting with competitive swimming at age nine (including burnout and a shoulder injury) and her early triathlon experiences at Boston University, where a rough Olympic-distance race and heat stroke led her to step away for years. Maggie returns to the sport by signing up for Ironman Wisconsin 2021 at age 24 with minimal training support, finishes, then joins a team and coach for 2022—an infamous cold, rainy race marked by mechanical issues and hypothermia risk, yet still a PR. She later races Boulder 70.3, Muscleman 70.3, Ironman Maryland (including flooded run sections and blisters) and qualifies for 70.3 Worlds in Marbella after Chattanooga’s swim was canceled. Maggie also discusses gravel riding toward Unbound, the Speed Project in France, work-life changes, and starting a PhD at the University of Minnesota.00:00 Episode Two Kickoff01:29 Hotel Setup Vibes01:59 Swimming Origins04:29 High School Burnout06:10 Triathlon Spark08:12 Cape Cod Chaos10:38 Nationals Heat Stroke12:28 Zero to Ironman15:11 Training Alone Lessons16:57 Team and Coach Upgrade18:30 IM Wisconsin 2022 Storm23:28 Mile 22 Comeback24:41 Worst Wisconsin Weather25:15 Two Year Reset26:30 Back Home Training Block28:40 Maryland Race Breakdown30:00 Run Course Flooding31:30 Tracker Panic Moment33:20 Worlds And Next Goals35:12 Gravel Riding Origins39:55 Work Life And PhD Shift44:51 Training Without A Coach45:52 Wrap Up And Whats Nexthttps://www.instagram.com/averageagegroupers?igsh=a250eG81dWg2bG4x&utm_source=qr

Recording from a California beach, hosts Laura, Maggie, and Holly launch the pilot episode of Average Age Groupers, a podcast focused on everyday age-group endurance athletes balancing training with full-time jobs and life, across running, triathlon, gravel, and more. They share their backgrounds in endurance sports, explain their goal of spotlighting “normal people” stories (and eventually guests on topics like nutrition and strength), and emphasize community and practical advice. Maggie recaps her 70.3 Oceanside race: nervous pre-swim energy, a flat saltwater bay swim, an unusually long transition, a narrow and rough bike course with fog, climbs and Camp Pendleton, and a sunny, no-shade two-loop run where early ice shortages and skipped nutrition hurt late miles; she still finished with a PR. They also preview upcoming plans including Unbound 200, a 100K relay, Ironman Lake Placid, and Laura’s evolving motivation after Ironman.00:00 Beachside Welcome00:29 Meet The Hosts02:03 Why This Podcast03:13 Community And Guests04:54 Backgrounds And Experience08:00 Oceanside Race Setup09:39 Swim And Transition13:02 Bike Course Highlights18:16 Run Course Heat19:28 Run Course Impressions20:12 Crowds and Loop Energy20:45 Run Mistakes Shoes and Fuel22:26 PR Talk and Course Dependence23:44 Would We Race Again24:15 Podcast Mission and Pros26:48 2026 Plans Gravel and Races30:29 Training Life and Athlete Stories33:58 Ironman Blues and Sacrifice36:58 Lowering Barriers Practical Tips37:37 Wrap Up and Call to Actionhttps://www.youtube.com/@averageagegroupershttps://www.instagram.com/averageagegroupers?igsh=a250eG81dWg2bG4x&utm_source=qr