I still remember my first open water start. Heart racing. Buoy looking impossibly far. The water below me, dark and unknowable. Everything I'd learned in the safety of my pool lane suddenly felt like it belonged to a different sport. If that sounds familiar, this post is for you. I...
Total Knee Replacement: Week 5
I just finished Week 5 of post op total knee replacement (TKR). Like the last few weeks, I've been posting every other week, but this one felt too important to skip. This week was rough. Let's Talk About the Pain I read all over the internet that Weeks 5 and...
One Month After Total Knee Replacement
We've officially hit week five of my total knee replacement recovery — and before I tell you where things stand right now, I want to take you back through the last three weeks. Not the polished, "look how strong I am" version. The messy one. Because if you're going through...
Two Weeks Post Total Knee Replacement
Two weeks ago, I had a total knee replacement. And yesterday, I walked half a mile. If you'd told me a year ago that I'd be writing those two sentences, I might have laughed. Or cried. Probably both. Because the road that got me here was long, confusing, and honestly,...
Finding the Right Coach When Everyone Seems to be a Coach
Lately, I have been thinking a lot about the state of coaching, especially in endurance sports. It feels like coaches are everywhere. Spend five minutes on social media, and you will see it. Someone posts, “I’m looking for a coach,” and within minutes, replies pile up in the comments. Some...
Do Supplements Give You a Competitive Edge?
What does it take to compete at the highest level of sport? The journey of an elite athlete is one of relentless dedication, sacrifice, and an unwavering focus on peak performance. It requires a deep understanding of the body and what it needs to function at its best. So, what...
Stay Seen, Stay Safe with Nathan’s Products
It's 5 a.m. The world is quiet and dark, and the only thing on my mind is getting my run in before the day’s responsibilities take over. But there's a recurring thought that runs through my mind as I lace up my sneakers: safety. It’s a concern that hits me...
New Way to Alleviate Pain and Recovery
On today's episode of Hilary Topper on Air, I talk with Darren Lancaster, CEO and co-founder of GOSleeves.com. His game-changing technology is for anyone active, from elite to weekend warriors. GOSleeves have merged compression sleeves with the science of kinesiology taping to create a unique product line that really works....
Why We Need to Focus on the Positives
Most endurance athletes I’ve met are incredibly supportive. We share a bond forged through early mornings, long training hours, and the quiet understanding of what it takes to push our limits. But every so often, you meet someone who missed the memo on camaraderie. I had one of those encounters...
What Exactly is a Knee Replacement?
I've been meeting way too many people who are getting either knee replacements or have just recently had a knee replacement. I started to think about it. What exactly happens during the knee replacement surgery? Do surgeons actually saw off your knee and replace it with an artificial limb? If...