- Ironman All World Athlete, Gold, 2014
- Ironman 70.3 World Championships finisher, 2014
- USAT World Team USA qualifier, 2015
- USAT All American Honors, 2011-2012, 2014
- Ironman World Championship, Kona, HI finisher, 2012
I came to triathlon via collegiate swimming at Carleton College, a Liberal Arts DIII school in Northfield, Minnesota. Although I was never a distance freestyler –or a biker or runner, for that matter– triathlon was presented by Coach Andy Clark as the next logical step in a master swimmer’s career.
Still, it took a few years away from all sport, and my looming 30th birthday to get inspired enough to train for my first triathlon. Soon after finishing my first sprint in 2007, I started ramping up my ambition toward a bid at Ironman Wisconsin in 2009. That race sealed my fate as a long-course triathlete: I discovered the longer the event (within reason), the better for my diesel engine.
I returned to the Ironman distance in 2011, again at Ironman Wisconsin, and hoped only for an improved time based on more distance and experience, and maybe a top 10 in my age group.
I shattered my own best expectations there, however, posting a sub-hour swim, sub-six bike, and sub-four marathon with quick transitions on race day. I came off the bike as the fifth amateur woman, having spent most of the bike in the lead of my division. Although I briefly regained the lead at mile 18 of the run, I finished as the second F30-34 in 10:51:43. This was good enough for 6th overall amateur female, 14th overall woman (including pros), and a slot at the Ironman World Championship in Kona, Hawaii, October 13, 2012.
2012 was a successful year for me, results-wise (see Past Results page). After a forced semi-hiatus during 2013, I returned to competition in 2014 with eight events (four International and four half iron distance races). I plan to focus on fewer, larger events in 2015.
Watts Up Karin? 