Welcome to the two talk try podcast. I'm your host Bella and I'm Sierra and we're so excited that you're here. We are age group triathletes that are looking forward to bringing you tools resources and triathlon stories each week. Most often mom will be hosting the interviews since I'm busy with work in nursing school. But every once in a while Bella will host an interview as well. Either way we are excited you are here. Head on over to our website to genstry.com for all of our free triathlon resources. And now let's start today's episode. And welcome to the two talk try podcast. I'm your host today Sierra and today I'm so excited because I get to visit with Trina who I've only met once in person but I overheard a conversation. She was sharing her triathlon story with someone and I couldn't help but want to share that story with all of you today. So we're going to talk about what it's like to win last place. I'm so excited. Welcome to the show. Thank you so much for having me. It was good to meet you that one time and start this journey together. It's fun. Yeah I think because we're originally from the Midwest and near Wisconsin there was already like you know when you meet another Midwest person it's like you kind of bond. So we're familiar with cold weather and all of the things but we had such a fun conversation. It was actually at a waterfall dinner and I love that about the waterfall team. They bring people together whenever they're racing or people that want to cheer and you get to meet other athletes. So let's start by talking about how you got into triathlon and then I do want to chat about waterfall and then what it's like to win last place. We have so much to talk about. So how did you start triathlon? Well I started as a runner first. I was doing, I actually told myself I would never run because I was always overweight and I always felt like there's a lot of judgment when you were running as an overweight person. So I ran in cemeteries so that no one would judge on me or I wouldn't see a lot of people. And then I ran my first 5k and kind of got the bug. So I started running more and more and more and I did some half marathons and then it was like running, there seems to be something we should add to this running. Maybe I'll just do some swimming bike. And the health club I was involved in, the gym I was involved in, had a tri training class. So I'm like oh I'll do it. I love to bike and I love to swim like in a pool and a beach and things. So I probably can figure it out. So I joined the triathlon club and I found out I couldn't swim more than like 25 yards without taking a break. But we worked through it. This is probably like my fifth year of running racing. And then I did the tri club or tri at the health club. And I got used to running and I started biking and people who bike grow Madison know that there are no flat roads. Everything is hilly. I really got my butt kicked a little bit on some of the hills. And I did my first race in 2019, which was a part of the Wisconsin tri series. And after that I totally had the bug. Totally. And I really messed up my swim. Like I was on my back almost the whole time. And my coach was in the water and she's like oh my god you're on your back. I'm like I'm fine. I'm on my back. I'm fine. And I did the race and the next weekend I bought myself a better bike. It wasn't like a hybrid that I was with my basket on the front. It wasn't that one anymore. I bought a nice a nice not the upper echelon of bikes, but I bought a good bike that would get me through the hills. And then COVID hit and all the tri races weren't really happening anymore. So I got like four in the summer before COVID. And during COVID we some of us from that tri club tri team, we started running together and we were running every weekend together and we were doing virtual half marathons all the time. And I just really just even being around all of them were Ironman previously. So I started like, what's going on here? You know, let me let me figure this out. So the next season when we could race, I did more triathlons and added some Olympic distances. And then I said, I think I'm ready. It's time for me to do a half iron. So I did a half iron in Wisconsin, half iron in 2022. And it was one of the hardest and best things I ever did. I know I'm so excited to dig into that. So you so was it the Madison in 2022 Madison? I did the Madison half. So people who were there, the Madison half had perfect weather. And the Madison the full iron had like 60 degrees of raining. It was like that year where the iron man just had that horrible. Yes. And the day before it was spectacular. And I, in that time, I found I needed, I, I really like the team aspect. So I found a team to join. And I met up with these fantastic people who we, you know, you're all by ourselves. But in this race, but we were together. When I was blocks behind when they were racing or when we were on training rides, and they would always wait for me. And I'm like, don't wait for me. I'm slow. I got it. I know where I'm going. And they're like, no, we don't do this. We don't drop you. We're meeting you. We'll meet you at this next stop sign or whatever. And I always run was a run walker and found people that were doing that same thing. So this team really embraced me and never thought I couldn't do it. Like they stood behind me and behind me the whole entire way. So that was so, so fantastic to have this group of people who like believed in me even when I didn't. And as a person who's bigger, like, I get a lot of sideways glances sometimes when I'm running or some sympathy paths on the backs or something. So it was really great to have people just see Trina, this athlete. Yeah, I was gonna do do a half-fire man. That that was the first something I dreamed for myself. So I'm guessing you don't run in cemeteries anymore. We run on the side run with every series anymore. I run proud on the streets. Like I I'm in a bigger body. And I would like to think that me being out there is hope for everyone that we can just get outside and have joyful movement. And I do have an injury that makes it so I can't run very long. But I still walk and do a run and I can ride my bike a little bit and I swim constantly. So, you know, I'm still trying to figure out managing an injury and being a triathlete. But, you know, we're getting done. And and again, the team is behind me, you know, bring your electric bike to to a ride with us. That's perfect, you know, or whatever. So it's awesome. That's so great. So when you're talking about the team, is that your waterfall chapter there in Madison, right? We have the Wisconsin chapter, which is forward triathlon club, forward tri club. And we are part of waterfall. And I've never really heard of waterfall except for with these groups of people that were like wearing the shirts and things. I'm like, what's going on? And they're like, well, it's waterfall racing. And you can be a part of a team doing triathlon, which is a solo sport, but also pro athletes are part of this. And you get to kind of move along with them and get guidance and coaching through this huge community. And it's really kind of special because we're our flock. We are our mascot as the flamingos. So forward is Wisconsin state motto. So we have this tri club that's also part of waterfall. And that's how I met you, actually, because we were part of waterfall and we were eating at the waterfall dinner. And, you know, I wasn't doing it. I was just a spectator for Ironman, Wisconsin, and a half. So I showed up for dinner to meet everyone. And it's like you're meeting people that are part of your family right away. I know. It really is. Yeah, it's so much fun. And just yeah, just chatting with people. I think that's what I love about waterfall is you'll show up like when I went to Chattanooga, you know, Trixie, the organizer, the mastermind behind it all will always do dinners for us or breakfasts or brunches or whatever to bring us together. And then the next day on the race course or two days after you are like, I saw you at dinner. Good job. You know, it's just, it's so much fun. I remember one of the pros in Chattanooga. I was racing, you know, on the run, and she passed me and said, go see her. And I was like, what? You just said something to me? But it's because I met each other the night before. So I love that camaraderie. That's awesome. Yeah, I do too. And Trixie brings so much energy to the team. And I was so excited to meet her and hang out downtown Madison with her and just hear her super funny cheers for everyone. She brings it, she brings it totally. And like, that was just really great. I think their motto is like, solo, never, or never solo, never alone. And I felt that the whole race weekend, you know, we saw great things from our team on the half. And like, there were so many of us waiting for our last person to come through the finish line on for the fall. I told the person who came through her name is Laura. And was her first Ironman. And it was like one of the greatest moments in sports. As far as I'm concerned, her coming through the finish line, there were runners from our team that were hyping her up to get her to the finish line. And she was tired and, oh, man, her finish line still chokes me up. It was fantastic. So good. You know, I would not have been a part of that had it not been for this, this group of people that just says, come enjoy our sport with us, you know, I know, and so good. And I saw you out on the course. I'm glad you told me you'd be wearing that pink flamingo because I was looking for it. And you, of course, you're standing at the top of that horrible hill. So I did hill repeats on that hill. So I knew that was we need to go to my house. So that's and that was part of my course until they changed it at the last minute. And I'm like, oh, well, that's like two blocks away from me. I can ride my bike and I'll stand on the top of that hill because it lasts forever. And just when you think you're finished. So I knew as a cyclist, that was a good place to place myself. Yeah. And I was awesome. And even in my agony, you know, I had a couple of times because I think there were four really, really hard hills. And we trained in hills in Tennessee now. But four, where my brain was like, what would it be like to stop and walk Sierra? Like, I literally thought that and I was like, well, no one else is stopping and walking. You know, and so to see someone that's just like, you've got this. Come on. You know, it just makes all the difference. I had so much fun cheering for teammates and even people that I didn't know. And then I went to another spot in my flamingo. And and people were like, Oh my gosh, I saw you before. I said, I told you I was going to be here for you. I told you, you know, and then at the finish line also. So it was so good. We should not, we should put a huge amount of value on our shirt, on our shirt bus, because I got a lot. I learned a lot about my shirping skills and that they're lacking. And then I came home and I told my family, I'm like, you all were awesome on my shirt on my, my race, because I did not know what they were going through. Totally. My brother, even though it was two years ago, my brother says he's still recovering from Sherman. Yeah, my, my half iron man. So I'm talking about your net. Let's talk about your half iron man. Let's talk about it. So I had the greatest finish ever, except for Laura's now. But I, my family was not going to come to my half iron man. I have a brother, a two brothers and a sister, and they have kids and everybody's busy. My mom and dad had a high school reunion. And they told me weeks before I'm not going to be able to go. And I was, I was like, okay, everyone's busy. I know that. And I thought to myself, no, I can't, they have to be here. If they miss it, they're going to be super bummed that they're missing it. So I, one day I told them it was really hard for me because I'm not somebody who asked for a lot of stuff. But I said, I, I took them around the table and I'm like, listen, this is big. I might not have a lot of the other big events that you all have. But this is big. And I don't want you to regret not seeing me across the finish line. And, and, and I just need your support there. So everyone worked out their schedules and when, how can we leave right after soccer? And it's about a two hour drive down to Madison. And I didn't see them a lot on the course. I bought everyone who was supporting me Ironman t-shirts. Our last name is McPeek. So it said team McPeek and the M's in both of the M's were Ironman M's. So I could see them. They were like red and there was like 15 of them that were there. And I didn't see them. I'm like, gosh, it must have just been too hard for them to get down down here. And I really struggled that day. It was hot and humid. I was really nervous that I was going to drink too much and then have to stop to go to the bathroom because I knew I didn't have a lot of time. I'm, yeah, I, I'm not a fast runner. I have this injury. So my coach was like, you cannot stop and talk to anybody. Like in transition, I know you want to talk to people. It's my thing, but you can't talk to anybody. You have to have all the time transitions where you can make up some time and don't talk to anybody. And I was really struggling on my bike. I didn't have enough electrolytes and I get out to do the run and my, my leg was like dead and I didn't see any of my family. And I'm like, it's so hard. I know. And then a teammate was at one of the last water stations and she was like, listen, you got this, you got this. My coach was like, okay, don't stop. Just keep going, keep going, keep going. You're going to make the finish line. You're going to make the finish line. And then some other friends found me kind of right before you're going to go up into the helix where Madison kind of brings you up into this parking lot and you run through. And and somebody said to me, I'm going to get choked up thinking about it. They're all there. They said, as I was running up the helix, somebody was like, they're all there. They're waiting for you right on the top of this hill. All you have to do is get, get, get here. Everybody's here. Like everybody's here. Oh my gosh, you know, they all came. So I'm running up the hill and some teammates come and help me run up the hill now. They're like, you just have to get around this corner, just get around the corner. Everybody's there. Like everybody's there. And what was really great about this race was my teammates who already finished hours before me, they were still there at the finish line for me. Thing was my 140 point three of six fan friends, they were parking their bikes. So they were all there getting ready for tomorrow the next day. And my other friends were already still there from their race. So like, it was huge. It was huge. There's a huge amount of people. I turned the corner and I just hear this roar. They're slapping on the cardboard that goes with the fencing. And and I start to turn the corner and it screams of Trina. I hear my mom scream, yeah, Trina, like, oh, no, hear her in my head. And I'm running through all the teammates. And I see my coaches husband and I look at him and he was always for me. Like the whole time I said, coach, I left it all on the field. And he and he started crying and I was crying. I couldn't believe I finished it. My whole big family and in their red outfits and Ironman shirts were like screaming and hitting the things and I run through the finish line. And there I am. I'm a finisher. I have a I have a medal on and they're like the the judge or whoever was right there said she's the last one. No one else gets a medal. And I knew there were people behind me. Yeah, they were closing the course. I knew there were people behind me, but I don't know how many people before me came in, but I I was alone. Yep. So my nephew who was five at the time, you know, he there's like the kiss and cry at the end, you know, we're able to come and talk to you. And my nephew looks at me. He's like, Oh my God, Titi, that was so wonderful. He's like, you took first place. Oh, I just love it. I was the only one that he saw. Yeah. It was the only one that he saw came in because everybody else had finished early. My finish line was full of people screaming my name and to him, I was a winner. You were a winner. I was a winner. Yeah. I looked at him and I said, you sweet boy. Will you always remember that I was the winner? Because I felt like a winner. Yeah. It didn't feel like last place. I did everything everybody else did. I just did it way slower. And like, I was the last place winner. It was fantastic. I love it. My, you know, our that picture that we took at the Capitol with all my family wearing their red shirts. That was our Christmas card that year. It was celebrated in my, my doctor came. She had been tracking the whole thing and she supported me, you know, like in the medical field when you're in a bigger body. Like, sometimes you get a little gas lit on what you should be doing or can't be doing. And my doctor was like, you're in, we're giving you to this finish line. And then she was there for me. Like, it was amazing. It was, it was amazing. I, I just anytime I have a bad day, I think about my last place finish. I love it. Your win. The biggest win probably of your life. That's just phenomenal. It was, it was really cool. All your people were there for it. They were there. My, my brother-in-law and my two-year-old niece were not there. And that was understandable because that, it's Madison's crazy and everything. And I missed them being there, but everyone else was there. And just like, I, I'm not, I was not into sports when I was growing up. I didn't start running till I was 42. And I did Ironman when I was 48, Half Ironman when I was 48. The only time I ever went into a gym was because I was in the band and I had to do the pet band. That was it. Like, that's all I ever did. And now I teach music. So like, I teach bands. So I wasn't, it wasn't a part of me at all. So for my family to be there and see me do that, like, it was shocking to us all. And like, this is what I've been talking about since January. You know, this is my, this was my goal. And, and I might not do anything that big again, but like to have them experience what that was like and, and see me in that situation was one of the, one of the best things I've ever done. And one of the proudest moments I had. And, and how cool is that to have my nephews and these, and my nephews to see, to see just putting it out there, you know, like they put out there. My other two nephews who were younger at the time, both of them did triathlon the next year with me in Dora County. There's a kids one. And they shared with me that they want to do a full, both of them want to do a full Iron Man at one time. So I mean, like, it's just spread. Yeah. Awesome. It is. And you, I think why you so enjoyed the finished line a few weeks to go for your teammates is because you know what they sacrificed because you've done that. And there's just something so cool. Like when we've been there, volunteering or cheering or shirpering, like you said, you're like, I know what that athlete needs right now because I've been there done that. So yeah, the gift it just keeps giving. And that's so cool that your family is interested. Those kittles, you know, one day to see them do that and be there cheering them on your red t-shirt. That's going to be so cool. Well, we wear the red t-shirt to all events now, even if it's just a soccer game or a swim meet, you know, like those, those kids know that like we are behind them. And the, the Iron Man logo or whatever is like anything is possible. And in my head, if I told myself every day when it was hard, anybody is possible. Like if this is possible for anyone who says, I'm going to do this, you can do it. Like I, in fact, I got that on my watch that, like the ID on your watch that I put on there, anybody is possible. So, and it was important for me for my nephews and nieces to see that. And also as a teacher, I bring that to my classroom that the kids that I have that might not fit the, what we think is athletic or healthy. Like we, we can do this. So like, you know, just bringing some body positivity to my room too. Yeah, I love that. So what kind of words of advice would you have for someone? Yeah, I feel like on our podcast and following our Instagram page, we have so many people that are just starting or, you know, really insecure with a swim or maybe like you, they're, they don't feel like they're fast. And so they don't want to go run with anyone. Like what kind of words of encouragement could you give them? What things helped you as you were working your way through that journey? Well, I found people who believed in me that that was really important. And, and when I first started, I lived in a really small town where there were not really any people, but I still just went and tried it. And like, I'm super slow still, but I, I still go out there and try. And maybe I, like, I walked all the hills when I was running. And like, this is about me. If somebody has an issue with me walking hills, that's on them, not on me, right? So like, that's not my problem. What other people think of me, it's me getting out there and doing the thing. Swimming is hard. And I think a lot of people are scared of that aspect of it. Again, I found people who would swim with me or the, at the club, the gym, there's swim coaches there that could help me. And I was in masters for a little while. And still, like, I'm in the last lane, I'm the slowest. But like, it's just so freeing to get out there anyways, you know, and I, I would encourage anyone who has an interest, even if you think you're the slowest, or, or the, or the fattest, or the whatever is, you know, to just go out there and give it, give it a try. You can even do just a little sprint tries and see what that feels like, or sometimes there's some indoors. So you don't have to go and open water, because that makes it even another level of scary. Like I said, though, I couldn't swim 25 yards my first time getting in the pool. And then it became I could swim 100. And that wasn't so bad. And it's just like anything. You've got the baby steps to get you going. And then you get the excitement of the, of the race and the event. I don't call them races anymore, because I'm not in a race. I am, I'm in an event where there's a lot of people who are encouraging me, and, and trying to do my best, you know, I, I, a student the other day asked me they had to do some big thing in gym. And he's like, as an athlete, what kind of advice would you give me? And I'm not a band teacher. And I said, well, I'm going to tell you to step up to the start line and do your best. And know that somebody in front of you is going to go faster, and somebody might be slower. And you still try. You still give it all give it your all. And another thing to new triathletes is you don't need all the stuff. You need a bike and you need running shoes. That's really all you need. And swim goggles will be nice. They'll give you a cap. You don't need all you don't need to spend thousands of dollars. It's an expensive, it's expensive hobby. But I have a just a nice felt bike. It's it didn't break the bank. It's not a triathlon bike. It's just a nice bike. And I have shoes that I switch out every six months or whatever, because that's what you should do. But you don't need all the gear. Just just try it and see do a season and see what you think. And then if you want to step up and get some more do that or just stick with your running shoes and a bike. That's all. Yeah, I love that. It does not have to be expensive. Yeah, I love that. So I think takeaways for you guys listening. Find your people. Like that's been the theme of the entire episode that it is so it makes such a difference when you have people that believe in you and stand next to you. The people that when you feel like you cannot take one more step or like, yes, you can. Let's go. You've got this like we need our people. So I think that's huge. And then, yeah, I just love your message of we don't have to do all the kinds of stuff because that's hard to, you know, you get to an Ironman or you watch people on Instagram. It's like all the things you feel like you need and really you're right. We need a bike that functions and we need running shoes and pair goggles. Yeah, and pair goggles. And friends to tell you like when you're running somebody, the best advice I had ever gave me was get to the next mailbox. Just get to the next mailbox. Can you get to the next light post? You know, and I use that in my daily life. What am I going to do today to get me to that next mailbox to that next lamppost? And that's all your friends. Your friends are at the next lamppost. They're just around the corner. Oh, so good. With you. I know you're such a pleasure to visit with. I think I get to see you in person again because you're so much fun. I think we could just talk forever. Probably. And I want a Sherpa everywhere now. Like, I'm just going to, I keep the pink flamingo in my car and, you know, just you never know. You never know where that's going to show up. Cheering someone on. So true. You never know when you need a pink flamingo. So, and in a cheering section, who knows. So, I'll be there for our people just like they showed up for me. I love it. Well, thanks for joining me today and taking time out of your day to chat with the audience. I appreciate it. No problem. Thank you for asking me. All right, everybody. Thank you for tuning in today. If this episode was helpful, will you share it with one person? Just think of one person who this could encourage or who might need to hear a word of advice that we shared and just share this episode with one person. That would be awesome. And if you're interested in waterfall, we would love to invite you. If you feel like someone that you just don't fit anywhere or you feel lonely in your journey, what we love about waterfall is it is a good fit for every single athlete. There are pros on our team and there are people who only do sprints and are just starting out. So, you will fit and we would love to invite you. So, there will be a link in the show notes where you can click and sign up and join us and then we can see you at the next meetup. All right. Thanks for tuning in everyone. Bye for now. Thanks for tuning in to today's episode. Make sure to follow us on Instagram at togenstry and visit our website for free triathlon resources at togenstry.com. See you all next week.
