Average Age Groupers

Growing Curious
  • 5.0 (1)
  • 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. 4d ago

    Ep 20: 20 Triathlon Tips We Wish We Knew

    Laura, Maggie, and Holly celebrate the podcast’s 20th episode, an above-average milestone, by sharing “20 tips” they’ve learned as non-elite triathletes balancing jobs, training, and life. They open with updates about helping a friend move and a warm open-water swim at Fireman’s Park with fewer weeds than expected, then move into practical race and training advice: find a community or team, keep a learning/beginner mindset, fuel with enough carbs and protein (including whole-food options), plan post-race meetups and phone access, and pack items like trash bags, extra water for the swim chute, safety pins for timing chips, and a small pharmacy kit. They also cover bike and race-day tactics (downshifting, tire pressure, helmet replacement, photochromic lenses), heat management with ice, transition practice, finish-chute photo plans, buying meaningful race memorabilia, and the overarching reminder to keep the sport fun. 00:00 Couchside Catchup 00:54 Open Water Weed Talk 03:38 Episode 20 Milestone 05:01 20 Tips Kickoff 06:05 Find Your Training Crew 08:59 Learning Beginner Mindset 11:50 Fueling And Carbs 16:40 Post Race Meetups 19:05 Race Day Bag Hacks 20:34 Swim Chute Hydration 22:06 Timing Chip Safety 23:00 Bike Gear Stop Signs 24:54 Beat The Heat With Ice 27:47 DIY Arm Sleeves 28:52 Stay Warm in the Chute 29:50 Race Day Pharmacy Kit 30:57 Bodily Functions Reality 33:06 Helmet Replacement Rules 34:29 Virginia Tech Helmet Ratings 35:18 Photochromic Bike Glasses 36:28 Energy Comes Back 38:20 Know When to Stop 39:24 Deflate Tires in Heat 40:44 Chamois Cream and Fit 43:50 Practice Your Transition 45:18 Finish Chute Photo Plan 47:24 Buy the Race Memento 48:32 Have Fun Not Pressure 51:36 Training for Life Sidebar 53:05 Wrap Up and Where to Find Us https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUYFKP1OYAMiMR1Ve36fOAw https://www.instagram.com/averageagegroupers/ https://averageagegroupers.substack.com/

  2. Aug 7

    Ep. 19: Redding 70.3 Prep Gets Real: After Accidents, Unbound, and Burnout—Can We Still Love Triathlon?

    Maggie, Laura, and Holly open by describing nonstop summer travel and feeling perpetually packed, then shift to their upcoming inaugural Ironman 70.3 in Redding, California. They explain how their original North Carolina 70.3 plan pivoted after scheduling conflicts and Holly’s April 2 car accident, which later revealed whiplash and a concussion that derailed running and swimming for weeks. Holly describes struggling through a demanding brick-heavy build, fear riding on roads and a breakdown during a cold, rainy Lake Placid ride, and worries about finishing due to run limitations. Laura shares self-coaching with an 80/20 approach, prioritizing not burning out on biking, higher run volume, and calmer swimming confidence. The episode also focuses on mental health: winter depression, dark intrusive thoughts after a February crash, identity and grief around racing setbacks (including Aaron’s accident and missed Lake Placid), and the challenge of balancing training with full-time work, ending with plans for a post-race recap and future guests. 00:00 Travel Life Catchup 02:01 Podcast Setup And Topics 02:58 Why Redding 703 03:19 Race Switch Backstory 07:04 Course And Logistics 08:44 Redding Build Reality Check 10:23 Training After Accident 13:37 Laura Self Coaching Plan 17:12 Weather And Course Hype 21:37 Mental Health Pivot 22:55 Winter Blues And First Crash 27:16 Car Accident And Invisible Injury 30:03 Unbound Mindset And Support 31:43 Racing With Support 32:43 Unbound Aftershocks 35:06 Whiplash Recovery Timeline 36:05 Road Riding Anxiety 39:56 Lake Placid Breakdown 41:48 Pulling The Plug 45:21 Back To Familiar Routes 46:58 Running Feels Impossible 49:39 Grief And Uncertainty 53:35 Mental Health In Sport 58:27 Identity And Balance 01:02:53 What Comes Next 01:05:45 Wrap Up And Thanks 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/

  3. Jul 31

    Ep. 18: He Started Triathlon Just to Ride Far | Logan’s “Why”

    Holly, Laura, Maggie, and Logan open Average Age Groupers by restating the show’s mission to share non-elite endurance athlete stories, then dig into why Logan chose endurance sports: after college he quit hockey (which he’d played since age 3), got into road biking, and chased the longest bike race he could, landing in Ironman despite barely being able to swim. Logan recounts racing Milkman 70.3 and Ironman Wisconsin 2023, where he stopped eating on the run and finished with over 2,000 calories unused, followed by cramping and a post-race recovery led by Holly and Aaron. In 2024 he improved fueling, raced Wisconsin and then California six weeks later, struggled with wind, under-fueled again, and finished with severe blisters. He qualified for 70.3 Worlds in Spain, then in 2025 moved to Denver, had knee surgery, raced 70.3 Boise, and at Worlds dealt with lost gear, panic, crashes, and zero-carb riding. Logan closes by describing joining a Colorado cycling team, time trials, a crash, a podium, a bloody marathon, and plans to take a year off triathlon to focus on cycling. 00:00 Meet the Hosts 00:45 Why This Podcast Exists 01:28 Logan’s Endurance Origin 02:59 Minnesota Hockey Childhood 04:52 Deep End Into Ironman 06:52 First 70.3 Reality Check 09:31 First Ironman Nutrition Fail 13:40 Post Ironman Marathon Jump 14:47 Two Ironmans in 2024 16:13 Musselman Podium and Worlds Slot 17:54 Ironman Wisconsin Breakthrough 21:09 California Struggle and Blisters 28:53 California to Colorado 29:26 Knee Surgery Comeback 31:43 Worlds Travel Chaos 35:29 Race Morning Anxiety 36:28 Swim Panic Survival 37:23 Bike Crash Nutrition Loss 38:59 Run Wipeout and Grind 42:56 Cycling Team Switch 46:39 Time Trial Fitness Boom 48:28 Gravel Crash Lesson 51:42 Marathon Bloody Blisters 56:24 Going All In Cycling 58:48 Final Wrap and Plugs 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/

    Ep. 18: He Started Triathlon Just to Ride Far | Logan’s “Why”

  4. Jul 24

    Ep 17: Ironman Lake Placid Debrief: The Pro-Series Start, a Broken Collarbone Pivot, and the “Fun Day” That Got Tested on the Run

    In Lake Placid at 9:34 p.m., the Average Age Groupers crew (Laura, Holly, Claire, Logan, Maggie, and Aaron) records an immediate post–Ironman Lake Placid recap after Logan and Maggie finish, while Aaron spectates due to a collarbone fracture and surgery (plate and 10 screws) from a bike crash, transferring to Ironman Wisconsin. They describe race-morning logistics, congestion at the swim start, the Pro Series hype, and the Aussie exit pause that affected swim traffic. Maggie reports an aggressive first-lap swim and a calmer second lap; Logan describes early chaos, a brief panic, and settling in. On the bike they highlight fast descents, crosswinds, drafting frustrations, a dropped bottle into a river, the Bear Hills crowd energy, and overall course beauty. On the run, both battle hills and stomach issues, find support from a fellow runner, and finishes celebratorily. They note friendly finish-line volunteers, difficult meet-up logistics, spectating challenges, Lake Placid’s strong town culture, and end with community-building calls to subscribe and connect. 00:00 Couch Intro Chaos 00:12 Meet the Crew 01:35 Aaron’s Crash Update 03:42 Race Morning Routine 04:29 Transition Drop-Off Drama 07:34 Swim Start Hype 11:52 Swim Stories and Chaos 17:00 Long Run to T1 20:00 Early Bike Highlights 26:19 Course Features and Climbs 28:34 Drafting and Bike Mishaps 34:06 Late-Course Scenery and Hills 35:04 Bear Hill Crowd Rush 36:45 Second Loop Aid Station Chaos 37:39 Mile 60 Chitchat and Headwinds 38:40 Run Starts and Stomach Turns 41:25 Transition Antics and Early Run Pain 44:55 Zofran and Survival Nutrition 48:28 Run-Walk Strategy and Midrace Hugs 52:02 Ankles Socks and Finish Line Push 56:29 Postrace Ground Time and Regrouping 01:01:11 Spectating Tips and Final Wrap https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUYFKP1OYAMiMR1Ve36fOAw https://www.instagram.com/averageagegroupers/ https://averageagegroupers.substack.com/

    Ep 17: Ironman Lake Placid Debrief: The Pro-Series Start, a Broken Collarbone Pivot, and the “Fun Day” That Got Tested on the Run

  5. Jul 17

    Ep. 16: Three Ironman Lake Placid Builds, One Couch, and a Tech Meltdown: What Happens Two Weeks Out?

    Holly opens an “Average Age Groupers” episode from Colorado amid headphone and recording issues, then steps aside so Laura hosts Maggie, Aaron, and Boulder-based Logan to discuss training for Ironman Lake Placid in two weeks. They recap deciding on Placid about a year ago after racing Ironman Wisconsin, discuss recent training—including a self-made swim-bike-run day—and compare build challenges after Unbound, limited TT-bike time, heat concerns in DC, and inconsistent swim and run volume. Each shares race goals: Logan aims to finish the swim, ride strong, fuel well, and enjoy the run; Aaron wants a fun, steady race with confidence from bike/run volume but lighter swimming; Maggie is excited for Mirror Lake, the hilly course, and hopes for a Kona slot while prioritizing enjoying the day. They talk community support, gear changes (Maggie’s larger cassette and going tubeless), nutrition choices, upcoming plans after Placid, and announce a Sunday-night post-race recap with the group. 00:00 Audio Chaos Intro 00:18 Colorado Couch Setup 01:23 Tech Troubles Explained 02:59 Meet The Guests 03:44 Why Lake Placid 07:21 Mini Tri Day 09:08 Maggie Build Update 13:09 Aaron Build Update 18:29 Logan Marathon Story 22:25 Training With Friends 23:41 Why Community Matters 26:08 Setting Placid Goals 28:52 Mindset Over Metrics 31:44 Kona Dreams and Vibes 35:45 Bike Setup for Hills 38:09 What’s Next After Placid 42:47 Nutrition Plans and Fueling 47:07 Race Weekend Hype 49:44 Post Race Recap Plans 51:07 Wrap Up and Shoutouts 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/

    Ep. 16: Three Ironman Lake Placid Builds, One Couch, and a Tech Meltdown: What Happens Two Weeks Out?

  6. Jul 10

    Ep. 15: Running Beyond Limits: An Ordinary Age Grouper's Ultra Quest

    He Signed Up for a Half Marathon in 4 Weeks—Then Guided a Blind Athlete Through an Ironman (and Now He’s Training for 100 Miles) Laura, Maggie, Holly, with special guest endurance athlete Kelly' reunite in person on Average Age Groupers to discuss Kelly’s path from saying yes to a half marathon in 2008 with only four weeks to train—despite never running more than two miles—to completing multiple Ironmans, 70.3s, and ultras. Kelly shares how working at Fleet Feet led to guiding with Achilles International, including guiding Rod, a blind athlete, through Ironman Wisconsin 2012 using a swim tether, tandem bike, and elbow hold on the run. He describes a solo Ironman DNF in 2013 driven by mental and emotional factors, and how continuing to guide, volunteer, and fundraise kept him in the sport. Now in 2026, he’s training for the Badger 100, running 70+ miles per week, practicing run-walk pacing, fundraising for FOP through “Moving to Keep Eli Moving,” and seeking pacers for night segments. 00:00 Back Together Intro 00:37 Meet Kelly Guest 01:17 First Half Marathon Leap 03:56 Solo Racing Lessons 06:05 Fleet Feet and Discounts 06:53 Guiding Epiphany 09:12 Blind Ironman Breakdown 13:18 Tandem Chaos and Speed 15:55 Solo Ironman and DNF 22:03 Staying in the Sport 24:55 Race Vibes and Community 29:49 Ultras and Slowing Down 31:12 Ultra mindset training 32:37 Badger 100 course 33:18 Pacers and night running 34:28 Big training runs 36:43 Weekly mileage routine 38:25 Run walk race plan 41:11 Aid stations and fueling 42:45 Overnight expectations 44:09 Back to back Ironman 46:43 Fundraising for FOP 50:01 Future goals and guiding 51:56 Wrap up and links https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUYFKP1OYAMiMR1Ve36fOAw https://www.instagram.com/averageagegroupers/ https://averageagegroupers.substack.com/ Follow Kelly: https://www.instagram.com/kfgriego?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw== Support Moving to keep Eli Moving: https://ifopa.salsalabs.org/MovingtoKeepEliMoving2026/index.html

    Ep. 15: Running Beyond Limits: An Ordinary Age Grouper's Ultra Quest

  7. Jul 3

    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

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

  8. Jun 26

    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

    Ep. 13: In Pursuit of Endurance: Tarah's Story
See All (20)

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
    2026
  • Episodes
    20
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    Average Age Groupers

You Might Also Like