2025 R Factor

The early morning air was crisp as I stood at the edge of the lake, the water still and dark. Nerves hit, but I glanced around and saw my team—familiar faces, all sharing the same excitement. My heart settled. This wasn’t just my race; it was ours. The swim was tough. I struggled with the waves, but knowing my teammates were waiting on the other side kept me going. I emerged from the water to cheers from teammates. Tired, but refocused. We were in this together. On the bike, it was the advice I’d gotten from Sarah during training rides that echoed in my head. "Stay aero, stay strong." That made the miles fly by. And when my legs felt like giving up on the run, Kevin’s words—“You’ve done harder in training”—pushed me forward. Crossing the finish line wasn’t just about personal victory. It was about growth—both mine and theirs. Having a team meant more than racing together. It was about having people who believed in you, who helped you stretch beyond your limits. It was a reminder that, in triathlon and life, we’re stronger together.