Average Age Groupers

Growing Curious
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  • Fitness
  • Updated weekly

Welcome to Average Age Groupers, the podcast for the athlete who has a goal and a grocery list. Hosted by Holly, Maggie, and Laura, we’re diving into the world of cycling, running, triathlon, and everything in between. Whether you’re training for your first 5K or your tenth IRONMAN, we talk about how to crush your goals without losing your job, your friends, or your mind. From fueling on a budget to navigating the mental highs and lows of the "middle of the pack," we’re here to prove that you don't have to be a pro to have a powerful story.

  1. Ep 14: She Got Hit by a Car… and Still Finished Ironman Wisconsin: Claire’s Wild Training Year

    1 day ago

    Ep 14: She Got Hit by a Car… and Still Finished Ironman Wisconsin: Claire’s Wild Training Year

    On the Average Age Groupers podcast, hosts Holly, Laura, Maggie, and Claire share training updates two weeks after Unbound (including TT bike-focused tri training, big rides, and heat rash) before diving into Claire’s endurance journey. Claire recounts growing up playing soccer, switching to cross country and track, working at a run/tri store, and later running multiple half marathons and teaching herself to swim via YouTube and pool practice while working nursing night shifts. She describes racing a hot, non-wetsuit-legal 70.3 Rockford with a difficult run, then building toward Ironman Wisconsin 2025 amid chaos: being hit by a car on the Madison Lake Loop, replacing bikes, long solo rides, a Maine trip with a “shark” encounter, and learning her mom’s breast cancer diagnosis. On race day she battles bike mechanical issues, runs with new friends, and finishes with strong family support; the group teases future races and ends with a like/subscribe CTA. 00:00 Cold Open and Setup 00:30 Podcast Intro and Updates 01:25 Training Talk and Heat Rash 04:21 Meet Claire and Soccer Roots 06:43 Cross Country to Tri Curiosity 11:06 Self Taught Swim and First 70.3 20:57 Marathons Weddings and Setbacks 23:02 Ironman Build and Bike Crash 35:40 Maine Shark Story and Big Miles 44:35 110 Mile Weekend and Mom Diagnosis 01:03:44 Ironman Wisconsin Race Day https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUYFKP1OYAMiMR1Ve36fOAw https://www.instagram.com/averageagegroupers/ https://www.tiktok.com/@average.age.groupers?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc

    1hr 5min
  2. Ep. 13: In Pursuit of Endurance: Tarah's Story

    26 Jun

    Ep. 13: In Pursuit of Endurance: Tarah's Story

    Hosts Maggie, Holly, and Laura welcome guest Tarah on Average Age Groupers to discuss recent endurance events and Tarah’s athletic journey. They recap spectating Lake Mills sprint triathlon in Wisconsin and note an inequity in age-group categories—men had six or seven divisions while women had three decade-spanning groups, affecting results like Claire’s sixth-place finish. Tarah shares starting in competitive horseback riding, transitioning through soccer to track and cross-country, and being shaped by Coach Evans’ early strength training. After stress fractures misdiagnosed as shin splints, she learned medical self-advocacy, later teaching spin and Les Mills BODYPUMP in college, then focusing on CrossFit and Olympic lifting. She got into cycling and triathlon, completing Eagleman 70.3 and qualifying for 70.3 Worlds at Wilmington before injuries and COVID disrupted plans. Tarah then excelled in gravel, winning her age group at Unbound 200, and is now training for Moab 240 after completing a 100K and planning Silver Rush 50. She also outlines her Arlington-based strength and nutrition coaching business and where to find her on Instagram (@TarahInTurquoise). 00:00 Chaotic Show Intro 01:50 Unbound Recap Plug 02:45 Lake Mills Sprint Talk 04:27 Women’s Age Groups Gap 06:56 Tarah’s Athletic Origins 07:51 Horses To Running 11:13 Coach Evans Strength Base 13:42 Track Laps And Pool Zen 17:40 College Injury And Advocacy 20:21 Group Fitness And CrossFit 24:04 Cycling Spark In DC 25:44 First Tri Eagleman Stories 27:47 Peeing In Endurance Racing 30:17 No Place To Pee 30:56 Eagleman Highlights 31:23 Halfs And Worlds 32:41 Unbound 200 Breakthrough 36:13 Mud Crash And Bruno 37:21 Why Short Races Drag 39:27 Training Intensity Approach 39:55 Moab 240 Origin Story 44:31 Trail Running With Dogs 47:26 Moab Training Reality Check 50:20 Concert Talk Detour 53:18 Coaching And Nutrition Business 56:38 Where To Find Tarah 58:12 Sleep And Pacing Fears 59:09 Final Wrap And Plugs Connect with Tarah: https://www.instagram.com/tarahinturquoise/ https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUYFKP1OYAMiMR1Ve36fOAw https://www.instagram.com/averageagegroupers/ https://substack.com/@averageagegroupers https://www.tiktok.com/@average.age.groupers?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc

    1 hr
  3. Ep. 12: From Farm Work to Ironman: Aaron’s Endurance Origin Story (and a Surprise Worlds Slot)

    19 Jun

    Ep. 12: From Farm Work to Ironman: Aaron’s Endurance Origin Story (and a Surprise Worlds Slot)

    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 Guest 01:17 Farm Life and Early Sports 03:13 Back to Running and Racing 06:10 Triathlon Spark and Swim Struggles 08:07 First Tri Chaos at Sugar River 11:28 More Races and Rough Conditions 16:34 Cold Duathlon Survival Story 19:17 Marathons and Chicago Highlights 21:31 Joining a Tri Team and Open Water Breakthroughs 26:41 Ironman Plans Meet COVID 28:38 Lost Tri Series 70.3 Simulation 30:07 Solo Big Swell Swim 31:37 Des Moines Chaos 34:22 Door County Breakthrough 35:49 Wetsuit Party Wave 36:44 Ironman Wisconsin Swim Panic 39:57 Bike Nutrition Reality Check 41:13 Worlds Dream Sparks 43:07 Blue Ridge Prep Surprises 45:09 Blue Ridge Brutal Bike 54:03 Roll Down Slot Drama 01:00:13 Wrap Up Next Races Listen to the Pod here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/average-age-groupers/id1889949099 https://open.spotify.com/show/2LJ6G7l1oIRZUIa3lo7NFp https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUYFKP1OYAMiMR1Ve36fOAw https://www.instagram.com/averageagegroupers/ https://averageagegroupers.substack.com/?r=79664q&utm_campaign=pub-share-checklist

    1hr 3min
  4. Ep. 11: They Rode Unbound 200… But What Happened Between the Thunderstorms, Mud, and the Broken Bike Light?

    12 Jun

    Ep. 11: They Rode Unbound 200… But What Happened Between the Thunderstorms, Mud, and the Broken Bike Light?

    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 Fail 00:40 Unbound Recap Setup 01:36 Meet The Hosts 03:21 Race Morning Jitters 05:17 Expo And Briefing 10:01 Mass Start Magic 11:53 Early Miles And Hail 14:05 Crashes And Mud Spray 16:12 Back Of Pack Vibes 19:16 Creek Wash And Checkpoint 22:56 Pit Stop Nutrition Wins 25:06 Storms Tailwind Headwind 35:20 Headwind Time Warp 37:16 Mud Hills And Storms 39:16 Safety Concerns On Course 42:44 Aid Station Reset And Fuel 44:57 Chaotic Checkpoint Setup 48:02 Mechanical Fixes And Heat 51:53 Minimum Maintenance Mayhem 53:40 Water Crisis And Navigation 01:03:33 160 Mile Aid Station Repairs 01:09:18 Night Riding Final Miles 01:12:57 Lightning And Downpour 01:14:15 Technical Walk Sections 01:15:57 Shelter Warning Decision 01:18:13 Cows And Leapfrogging 01:21:16 Night Riding Reflections 01:22:54 Finish Line Storm Push 01:25:29 Crew Tarp Humor 01:26:39 Mud Crash Final Miles 01:31:13 Finish Feelings Growth 01:35:56 Post Race Disappointment 01:38:24 Lessons Expectations Ultra Vibe 01:43:23 Thank Yous And Wrap Up https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/average-age-groupers/id1889949099 https://open.spotify.com/show/2LJ6G7l1oIRZUIa3lo7NFp https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUYFKP1OYAMiMR1Ve36fOAw https://www.instagram.com/averageagegroupers/

    1hr 50min
  5. Ep. 10: Unbound Eve in Emporia: Mud, Taper Crazies, and the 207-Mile Plan

    5 Jun

    Ep. 10: Unbound Eve in Emporia: Mud, Taper Crazies, and the 207-Mile Plan

    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 Intro 00:47 Podcast Setup and Plan 02:33 Taper Stress Check In 06:42 SAG Logistics and Timing 07:44 Bike Comfort Upgrades 12:28 New Bike and Tire Setup 14:11 Flat Fears and Spares 16:29 Nutrition and Caffeine Plan 23:13 Race Day Timeline Strategy 23:39 Ideal Day and Aid Stations 28:24 Holly Pace Expectations 29:26 Pacing Without Power 31:05 Cutoff Math and Aid Stops 33:17 Course Elevation Confusion 35:14 Wind and Weather Factors 35:49 Expo Plans and 350 Start 39:17 Race Kit and Gear Choices 42:41 Tara Cameo and Moab 240 45:50 Endurance Mindset and Pain Cave 53:52 Race Day Wrap and Plugs https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUYFKP1OYAMiMR1Ve36fOAw https://www.instagram.com/averageagegroupers/ https://averageagegroupers.substack.com/

    55 min

  6. 29 May

    Ep. 9: Ironman Wisconsin 2024 Build, Community, and a Cutoff-Clock Finish

    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 Crew 00:55 Why Rest Matters 01:27 Ironman Wisconsin Tease 02:30 Bike Bag And California 03:19 Why Full Ironman Now 04:58 Winter Base Building 07:02 Musselman Tune Up Race 08:12 When Training Gets Real 09:42 Bike Struggles And Bonking 11:55 Coach Costs And Budget 14:44 Community Makes It Possible 18:33 Longest Ride Simulation Day 21:22 Cemetery Breakdown And Coke 26:58 Race Day Starts Swim Calm 30:55 Bike Headwind Reality Check 33:10 Chasing on the Bike 34:01 Mount Horeb Breakdown 35:17 Wind and Three Hills 36:48 Loop Two and Empty Crowds 38:54 Tailwind Back to Town 40:50 T2 Tales and Cutoffs 43:01 Illegal Pacer Run 44:36 Course Changes and Safety 47:49 Watch Dies and Bargaining 51:15 Finish Line Reflections 53:16 Cutoff Panic Sprint 58:45 Tears and Unfinished Business 01:01:27 Wrap Up Goodbye Listen to the Pod here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/average-age-groupers/id1889949099 https://open.spotify.com/show/2LJ6G7l1oIRZUIa3lo7NFp https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUYFKP1OYAMiMR1Ve36fOAw https://www.instagram.com/averageagegroupers/ https://waterfallracing.com https://www.instagram.com/forwardenduranceclub/

    1hr 2min
  7. Ep. 8: Emir’s Racing Origin Story, Crit Tactics, and Gravel Lessons

    22 May

    Ep. 8: Emir’s Racing Origin Story, Crit Tactics, and Gravel Lessons

    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 Chaos 00:37 Welcome and Kansas Plans 02:41 140 Mile Gravel Recap 06:48 Second Day Suffering 08:29 Inside the Trek Shop 10:40 How Amir Started Racing 13:12 Crit Racing Explained 15:54 From Soccer to Bike Shops 16:57 Pandemic Bike Shop Carnage 21:28 Mallorca Trip Changed Everything 24:31 Team Racing and Masters 28:05 Sleep and Recovery Detour 30:19 Race Season Routine 30:42 Indoor Trainer Routine 31:06 Hains Point Loops 32:08 Weekly Training Plan 33:31 Jeff Cup Race Tactics 37:19 Sprint Finish Crash 39:46 Racing Logistics Prep 41:27 Upgrade Points Explained 46:40 Cyclocross Bucket List 48:10 Steamboat Gravel Stories 54:26 Fueling And Gels 56:27 Colorado Race Wishlist 58:31 Wrap Up Next Episodes Listen to the Pod here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/average-age-groupers/id1889949099 https://open.spotify.com/show/2LJ6G7l1oIRZUIa3lo7NFp https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUYFKP1OYAMiMR1Ve36fOAw https://www.instagram.com/averageagegroupers/ https://waterfallracing.com https://www.instagram.com/forwardenduranceclub/

    1 hr

  8. 15 May

    Ep. 7: From Horses to Ironman: Holly’s Endurance Origin Story (and the Teams Behind Average Age Groupers)

    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 Hosts 00:37 Shoutouts and Listener Love 01:09 Waterfall Racing Explained 03:59 Forward Endurance Club Vibes 06:43 Holly Concussion Update 07:39 Early Sports and Horses 11:32 Back to Running and First 5Ks 13:38 First Half Marathon Lessons 18:42 MadPower and Ultra Leap 23:35 Fall 50 Training Grind 27:49 Race Day Headwind and Finish 37:00 Finish Line Letdown 38:10 Post Race Breakdown 39:42 Why Keep Racing 43:31 Chicago Marathon Takeaways 46:22 Tri Bike Leap 48:08 Learning To Swim 49:14 COVID Open Water Era 53:00 First Official Triathlons 53:39 Boulder Breakthrough 57:22 All In On Triathlon 01:00:53 Gravel Goals Next 01:01:25 Wrap Up And Next Episodes Listen to the Pod here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/average-age-groupers/id1889949099 https://open.spotify.com/show/2LJ6G7l1oIRZUIa3lo7NFp https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUYFKP1OYAMiMR1Ve36fOAw https://www.instagram.com/averageagegroupers/

    1hr 5min
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About

Welcome to Average Age Groupers, the podcast for the athlete who has a goal and a grocery list. Hosted by Holly, Maggie, and Laura, we’re diving into the world of cycling, running, triathlon, and everything in between. Whether you’re training for your first 5K or your tenth IRONMAN, we talk about how to crush your goals without losing your job, your friends, or your mind. From fueling on a budget to navigating the mental highs and lows of the "middle of the pack," we’re here to prove that you don't have to be a pro to have a powerful story.

Information

  • Creator
    Growing Curious
  • Years Active
    2k
  • Episodes
    14
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    Average Age Groupers

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