I am proud to announce that I am a Coeur Sports Ambassador for 2025. This is my second year of being on this team full of optimistic, strong, passionate women. Despite being fairly new to the team, I have been a fan of Coeur since I started triathlon. Almost all of my tri gear has been some kind of Coeur design. [I did take a few years to wear another brand for our team kit - but it was only because Coeur wasn’t customizing gear at the time. ] They are famous for their “no angry kitty” chamois in their tri shorts. [IYKYK] I have worn their Little Black shorts for 99% of my races.

Here is a little about them:

Coeur Sports is a women's endurance apparel company that focuses on running, cycling, and triathlon. They emphasize community and encouraging women to get involved in endurance sports. Coeur Sports is known for its commitment to inclusivity, body positivity, and clean sport.

When I applied to be an ambassador I wrote: Coeur makes me look on the outside the way I feel on the inside. When I train and race I feel strong and pretty and brave and alive. Almost every time I race, I feel like Frozone in The Incredibles asking his wife: Honey? Where IS my SUPER SUIT? I feel like a rock star and a super hero and want to look like one on the outside. Coeur has always done that for me!

Last year was my first year as an ambassador. I wore the team kit to every race and promoted them on social media. I supported the brand and told everyone about the no angry kitty chamois. Of course, it’s turned out to be so much more than that. One of the best parts of the team is the Facebook group. In a world gone mad, this little corner of the internet is positive, encouraging and joyful.

Because of the Facebook comaraderie and because we are all outfitted in the best-looking gear, the other highlight of being on the team is seeing each other at races. At Nationals last year in Atlantic City, I met two of the most fun people in Coeur: Marisa & Michelle.

A few weeks ago, I participated in Coeur’s L.A. Fire Ride - a fundraiser for Steve’s Bikes and Tower 26. Both businesses are a big part of the triathlon community in the City of Angels. The Tower26 Tri club lost their pool and 30 members of the club lost their home or business. And, “the legendary Steves' Bikes shop in Altadena burned completely to the ground.”

The event featured a three-hour virtual ride hosted by Kebby Holden - the amazing leader and CEO of CoeurSports. Three of the Coeur Pro triathletes coached an hour each of the ride. PLUS, Kebby had prize drawings, special guest and a peek inside her world between California and Atlanta. I rode for two hours (60 minutes on the trainer and 60 minutes on the Peloton) and then listened to the Zoom call the rest of the time.

The special guests were incredible. Steve Salinas shared stories of his efforts to save homes of friends and family in the Eaton fire as his own shop in Altadena burned. There is a picture of him in the LA Times on a roof with a hose battling the flames. Despite a total loss in the bike shop, he started collecting bikes for people who might need them. He would leave them on the street outside the shop and folks would stop by and take them if needed. Tears. It is no wonder the Coeur mantra is HEART & COURAGE!

Chrissie Wellington, three-time IRONMAN world champion sent us a pre-recorded video of gratitude and encouragement. The owner of Tower 26 Tri Club and his wife also joined the call.

I was also THRILLED to see Mike Reilly on the call. He hopped on to tell some great stories of grit and revealed that he is working on his second book. I had met him in 2021 at my race in Coeur d’Alene. I took my copy of his first book to a book shop to have him sign it. I met him, chatted with him about dancing at the start line of IRONMAN FLORIDA in 2018 and listened in on a story he was telling another triathlete. I walked out of the store, headed down the street and did a U-Turn. For some reason, I had my bike helmet with me and I took it back to the shop. I walked back in and said: years ago, I asked Rinnie to sign my shoes…could you sign my helmet? He agreed and wrote: Listen to my voice. Mike Reilly. No matter what happens tomorrow. Just finish.

I had the hardest race of my life that weekend, but I could hear him say JUST FINISH. Years later, I wore that helmet in my validation race - in Florida in 2022. The race meant a lot to me - not only because it was my 13th MDOT, and the one that finalized my entry into Kona, but it was the one that I finished after my ACL tear earlier that year skiing.

Somewhere about mile 80, I had someone pass me call out to say….HEY! Did Mike Reilly sign your helmet?!

Yes! Isn’t he the best? I asked.

Yes! Was her answer.

And he’ll call us in as an IRONMAN later today! It was a joyous, full-circle moment that I will always remember.

Coeur is a big part of my year. I am headed to a Coeur Triathlon Camp in April in Peachtree City, Georgia. It’s a four-day swim/bike/run training clinic that includes a race on Saturday, pro-level instruction and the camaraderie that I have grown to love online - IN PERSON. I can’t wait. You’re invited! If anyone wants to come train with me let me know. CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP.