WTS Hamburg/WTS Edmonton

Trying to get caught up before I get too behind, 

And while some of the races are fresh in my mind.

Since I last wrote I’ve done three races 

Ending up in three different places.

For the Hamburg individual race I finished fourth,

And in the Mixed team relay we were a few places north.

Our USA team finished second in a tight finish,

Celebrating with Erdinger instead of Guiness.

This past Saturday was WTS Edmonton,

Where I was happy to get on the podium again!

I finished third behind Duffy and Knibb,

Competing with them there’s no way to ad-lib.

After Hamburg where I didn’t really check off any process goals,

(I just ran like my feet were on some really hot coals),

I was happy to put more things together this past weekend,

Finally having a good swim where I was quite close to the front end.

I also had the fastest transition in the race!

For me that is not very common place.

I got onto my bike in great position, 

even though getting my feet in was quite the mission.

I got to the hill right where I wanted to be,

And then I watched Duffy and Knibb climb away from me. 

I tried to go with them but didn’t have the response spark or fire,

And ended up in the chase pack (not where I desire).

I worked hard, but didn’t put any time on the two,

But at least was in good position until I came to T2.

Coming into T2 I was at the back,

So that first part of the run I had to attack.

I was happy for the first 1k of the run,

Getting to the front in the Edmonton sun.

I ran with Summer Cook for laps two out of three,

And on the third knew I had to decide where I wanted to be.

So I pushed out of the transition up the hill to try to create a break,

Then ran scared to the finish knowing the podium was at stake.

Though overall I’m happy with the pieces I executed,

My feelings on the race are somewhat convoluted. 

In a way I am close to achieving what I want,

And I certainly feel much more drive than daunt.

I’m already looking forward to the next opportunity I get to be my best,

Which is Montreal this Saturday for yet another suffer fest! 

So proud to get to share multiple podiums these last few weeks,

As those steps are what everyone in the race seeks.

Also really thankful to share these moments with my family who came far,

Having you at each of the races felt like a gift from Caspar!

Mom, Dad, Aunt Terri, Uncle Jim, Aunt Mary Ellen, Bernie, (Aunt Terry)

 and Uncle Chip meet Pepe at WTS Hamburg!

Tommy's parents Nancy and George came to watch WTS Edmonton! 

My boy working. Also all these pictures are taken by Tommy Zaferes.

Reconnect x 3

In the realm of blogs I'm off to a slow start,

But besides that I'm doing well in every other part.

I've had four races by now,

And already visited 5 countries somehow.

In my races I've finished 7th, 1st, 4th and 2nd,

And am loving the process more than I reckoned.

I see the fruits of my labor coming to fruition,

From working on skills (mental and physical) to what I eat in the kitchen,

To enjoying the places I get to go,

And always making sure I keep my coach in the know.

I've been focusing differently and learning how I work,

To try and prevent my brain from going bezerk. 

This past race in Yokohama may have been the most unique one yet,

As it is a race experience I won't soon forget.

I was tested in quite a few different ways, 

And to each challenge I could feel myself raise.

Starting with the swim where I didn't get out fast enough, 

Finding myself quite far back was pretty rough.

I came out 30 seconds down from the front of the pack,

Knowing in order to connect on the bike I'd have to attack.

I actually caught on to the main chase pretty quick,

And handled the bike well even though it was slick.

I positioned myself riding mostly at the front,

Catching Flora and Sophie was what I want.

But at one point I did find myself almost last,

When the girl in front of me slid and had a crash.

I ended up in the barrier trying to avoid hitting her,

For me bent hoods and a dropped chain was all that did occur.

So I got back on my bike 30 seconds behind my group again,

But to me catching back on was not a matter of if-but when.

Halfway through the final lap I got on the group,

And went straight to the front to finish the final loop. 

Out on the run I ran most the race with fellow American Kirsten Kasper,

But the 2nd to last lap I had a minor sunglasses disaster.

They fell off my head and since I didn't want a littering penalty, 

I circled back to pick them up after a moment of confused Katie.

Then continued onward to yet again reconnect,

Happy that any doubt/frustration I was able to deflect.

I ended up in second and was proud of how I raced,

Dealing with each bit of adversity that I faced.

But that's what racing is I guess learning how to deal,

No matter the conditions, circumstances or how I feel.

Staying in the moment and never losing faith in you, 

Just continuing to go after what you came to do.

My challenges in this race were a mix of controllables and not,

but I finished the race knowing I'd given everything I got.

I shared the podium with Kasper and Duffy the succeeder,

What's also cool is that I'm now the World Series Leader, 

My next race will be Escape from Alcatraz in June,

Until then we are now in Maryland and then our tiny house cocoon. 

Also all these awesome pictures are from Tommy Zaferes,

with a new website that shines like Polaris!

You can visit it at Tommyzphotos.com,

Not going to lie it's pretty much the bomb! 

Off to On

Off season to on season, 

has got me wheezin’.

In the beginning I’m not ready to come back,

And start reconsidering the foods that I attack.

I hate the feeling of that first step on a run,

And after time off from the water swimming’s no fun.

Since when did the water get so heavy?

I'd rather be hanging out with my bevy. 

I feel like I can feel the extra body weight,

And that I’m constantly at my max heart rate.

Trying to figure out how do I do this again?

How many minutes in, what?! Only Ten?

Well ok looks like it’s time for a walk,

Tommy, stop trying to chat I can’t talk.

How can something I do for months now seem so foreign,

I now regret saying that off season was boring.

What?! In-N-Out shouldn’t be in my daily diet anymore?

What if I get “protein style” that’s acceptable for sure.

Ok, breathe, I can do this one step at a time,

Better stop to pick up this dime. 

Katie focus. Slow and steady will get you on pace,

So that in a couple months you’ll be ready to race. 

Take your time and start implementing change,

As your schedule continues to arrange.

Don’t put too much thought on how the body feels,

Rather just put in the work and start spinning the wheels. 

Wow nice, see now things are starting to feel better,

Good thing I didn’t put in my resignation letter.

Now I remember why I like what I do,

Going outside and starting to feel good too.

Then doing some sessions where I exceed expectations, 

I’ll never get tired of the success with the feeling of elations. 

I’ve even started working on things I’ve struggled with in the past,

Hoping that this next season will be even better than the last.

Ok I guess those struggles to get out the door were worth it,

Everyday working hard in the belief that practice makes perfect. 

Another year to be great has begun,

Welcome to the 2017 season everyone!

2016 is a WRAP!

I can’t believe this season has already come and gone,

There were moments of learning, weakness and brawn.

There were times when I was stressed to the max,

And also splendid moments when I could relax.

Some of my favorites included competing in the Olympics for sure,

and winning Hamburg brought me happiness and beer showers galore.

I was pumped to finished fourth in the WTS series at the end, 

One of my goals is to continue my upward season ranking trend. 

Some of the things I learned this year,

is not to use a poison sumac leaf on my rear. 

[sparing you all the picture here]

And on a more serious note; that complications of the mind,

can impact my performance has been what I find.

From happiness in the day to day,

to how I deal with barriers in the way. 

When I stayed focused on the process and kept it simple,

I didn’t break out with a big stress pimple.

I learned to be confident in myself and the things I can do,

While making sure to respect my competitors and the challenges of the sport too. 

For next year I plan to talk and not hold thoughts inside my brain,

And to get out of my comfort zone more when I train. 

I’m excited to keep some things the same,

But also to make changes to up my game. 

I’m looking forward to continue with the JFT Crew,

And also have Tommy around to help me too.

I might dabble in some 70.3s mainly for fun,

but also to see how that longer stuff is done.

Thanks to all my sponsors who have been with me through this very special year,

For giving me the greatest support, relationships along with the best gear.

And thank you for all those who are coming along for the ride,

I really truly love having you all by my side!

At the moment I'm in Maryland enjoying being home and having some time,

to visit with family and friends and write this rhyme. 

I'm back into training more and more,

And looking forward to what 2017 has in store!

But here are some snapshots of what my off season looked like,
When I took a break from swimming, running and the bike. 

Got my first tattoo that I've ever had,

And really got into wearing plaid.

I legally changed my name and became a California resident,

And stretched my leg as far as it ever went. 

Some Ghiradadelli with triathlon friends,

Lots of stacking wood, that felt like it'd never end.

Tommy and my first time going to the movies together,

Watching another sunset in pretty nice weather.

We did Christmas in the Zaferes/Daddario way,

And went to the aquarium of the Monterey Bay. 

We also skated on the tiniest ice skating rink,

In Maryland we looked at lights in the biggest car I've ever been in I think.

One of the stops was on Baltimore's 34th Street,

As always Christmas in Maryland is such a special treat!

WTS Hamburg: Believe to Achieve

Wahoo, I did it I won my first WTS race,

In Hamburg when I came in first place.

(I know this is an obvious statement I did it for the rhyme,

Try not to give me too hard of a time)

Photo: Triathlon.org

I have to say the start of the season I struggled a bit,

I was under performing though I was physically fit.

My coach, Joel Filliol asked me post race what made the difference on the day,

And I told him I think I just got sick of myself racing the other way. 

I had talked to many people to try and figure out why things were going wrong,

But really it was up to me to change the tune of my own song. 

I found this quote a few days ago,

and really identified with what is written below:

I had been really yearning to race like me,

and couldn't figure out why it wasn't easy.

But it's funny because ultimately it was myself that showed me the way,

When a thing on Facebook showed up... "Three years ago on this day"

It was the ITU story from my first World Cup win,

and reading my own words from then really sunk in.

At the time when I was asked about my race plan, 

It was basically just to go as hard as I can.

My win in Palamos 7/14/2013...ITU Write Up

For a bit I had lost that simple but aggressive attitude,

And had been racing in a cloud of a different mood.

I was letting my race be impacted by fears and doubts,

Rather than that I'm more skilled and having great workouts.

So I took a technique from Kate Grace and made an "Inner Strength Bank Account",

This simple exercise was really quite paramount. 

I wrote all the things that have prepared me to compete with the best,

And once seeing them written I believed in my ability to rise to the test.

So how did the race play out? Exactly as planned,

I swam, biked and ran as hard as I can.

Photo: Petko Beier

Of course I was fortunate to have others on the bike willing to work,

So that when we got off the bike with a 50 + second lead I had a little smirk.

When it came to the run my mantra was to believe,

And in doing that I was able to achieve!

I ran in fear that I was going to get caught,

But also ran thinking that I might have a shot.

Crossing the line I didn't let up,

Never counting out the other athletes who are tough.

Photo: Marco Bardella

Winning Hamburg was exciting because it was a goal I've been waiting to achieve,

If I have one takeaway message it is that you must believe.

Believe in yourself and that you know what to do,

as long as you race and compete like you!

Believe in your training and the hard work done every day,

And don't let you be the enemy who gets in your way.

Thank you so much for everyone who is always there,

following my journey with so much care!

For all the support that continues to get me to the next level,

To get to be a part of the following groups is something I revel.

ROKA Sport, HOKA, SRAM, Oakley and NYAC,

 Team Psycho, SOS, thanks for helping make me...ME :)