What’s it like to race the inaugural edition of a full-distance IRONMAN?

In this episode of the Be Fierce & Tri Podcast, Coach Jill Bartholomew sits down with fellow athletes Dawn Edens and Belinda DeWitt to break down their experience racing IRONMAN Jacksonville 2026 — from the unusual tidal swim and windy bike course to the heat, logistics, nutrition struggles, and emotional finish-line moments.

Belinda shares the powerful story of losing more than 150 pounds and finally earning her first IRONMAN finish after multiple attempts, while Dawn discusses chasing Kona through the Legacy Program and what makes Jacksonville a surprisingly beginner-friendly full-distance race.

If you’re considering IRONMAN Jacksonville, preparing for your first full-distance triathlon, or just love hearing honest race-day stories from endurance athletes, this episode is for you.

Topics include:

• The inaugural IRONMAN Jacksonville course
• Swim conditions & tidal currents
• Wind and heat management on the bike
• Race nutrition adjustments
• Spectator experience & race logistics
• Mental toughness during an IRONMAN
• First-time finisher emotions
• Whether Jacksonville is a good beginner IRONMAN

Train with purpose. Execute with intention.

If you are training for a Triathlon or Run event of any distance from your first 10k to your first full IRONMAN and beyond, connect with Jill to talk about how to take your performance to the next level! Jill is the Head Coach and owner of Be Fierce Multisport is a full time, professional coach and works with athletes of all skill levels.

We also specialize in training for runDisney race, as Jill is an avid runDisney fan with 7 Dopey finishes and nearly 100 Disney races under her legs - she knows the courses and how to train for them!

Click here to schedule a consultation

Tired of cycling in your basement alone? Peloton and Zwift has gotten old? Try live online group cycling with Be Fierce Multisport - now in Beta and accepting founding members!

Join our virtual group cycling beta at 👉 https://fierce.li/cycling

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Have you ever had a race that didn’t go the way you imagined?

Coach Jill Bartholomew welcomes fellow coach and athlete Erin Byrge to the Be Fierce & Tri Podcast for an honest conversation about what happens when months of preparation collide with unexpected setbacks on race day.

After crashing at mile 60 during IRONMAN Texas, Erin still found a way to finish the race — battling physical pain, self-doubt, and the mental challenges every endurance athlete eventually faces.

This episode dives into:

• The emotional reality of Ironman racing
• Navigating disappointment after a tough race
• Dark moments during endurance events
• Why triathlon community matters
• Reframing goals and redefining success
• Racing beyond Kona dreams

Whether you’re training for your first sprint triathlon or your next full Ironman, this conversation is a powerful reminder that resilience isn’t always pretty — but it matters.

🎧 Subscribe to the Be Fierce & Tri Podcast for more conversations where endurance training meets real life.

If you are training for a Triathlon or Run event of any distance from your first 10k to your first full IRONMAN and beyond, connect with Jill to talk about how to take your performance to the next level! Jill is the Head Coach and owner of Be Fierce Multisport is a full time, professional coach and works with athletes of all skill levels.

We also specialize in training for runDisney race, as Jill is an avid runDisney fan with 7 Dopey finishes and nearly 100 Disney races under her legs - she knows the courses and how to train for them!

Click here to schedule a consultation

Tired of cycling in your basement alone? Peloton and Zwift has gotten old? Try live online group cycling with Be Fierce Multisport - now in Beta and accepting founding members!

Join our virtual group cycling beta at 👉 https://fierce.li/cycling

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Have you ever wondered what the IRONMAN Foundation actually does?

In this episode of the Be Fierce & Tri Podcast, Coach Jill sits down with Shane Facteau (President) and Audra Tassone (Executive Director & VP) to pull back the curtain on one of the most impactful—but often overlooked—parts of the IRONMAN ecosystem.

They dive into:

• How the Foundation has donated over $60 million globally
• The real impact of community grants and volunteer programs
• Why initiatives like Swim Ready and Bikes for Kids matter
• What it actually means to race as a Team IMF athlete
• How racing can extend beyond personal achievement into real-world impact

You’ll also hear behind-the-scenes stories—from small-town beginnings to global endurance events—and how exposure to sport can change the trajectory of a life.

Plus, Coach Jill shares her own experience racing with Team IMF and why she continues to choose to compete with purpose.

🎧 Bonus: For the next 90 days, ad revenue from this episode will be donated to the IRONMAN Foundation—so every listen makes a difference.

If you’ve ever thought about racing for more than just a finish time… this episode is for you.

If you are training for a Triathlon or Run event of any distance from your first 10k to your first full IRONMAN and beyond, connect with Jill to talk about how to take your performance to the next level! Jill is the Head Coach and owner of Be Fierce Multisport is a full time, professional coach and works with athletes of all skill levels.

We also specialize in training for runDisney race, as Jill is an avid runDisney fan with 7 Dopey finishes and nearly 100 Disney races under her legs - she knows the courses and how to train for them!

Click here to schedule a consultation

Tired of cycling in your basement alone? Peloton and Zwift has gotten old? Try live online group cycling with Be Fierce Multisport - now in Beta and accepting founding members!

Join our virtual group cycling beta at 👉 https://fierce.li/cycling

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.