Our inaugural PNW multisport race of the year and first multisport race as Washingtonians took place this past weekend. We signed up last minute to avoid racing in the rain. Sun was out and the guns were out on race day. The South King County junkyard dogs: Racing in a different community and on brand […]

Mercer Island Half Marathon – Humble and Kind
“I know you got mountains to climb, but always stay humble and kind.” – Tim McGraw When you are pursuing a big goal, it is easy to get lost in the mountain that is ahead of you. One thing I constantly remind myself is not to get distracted by the small, mundane problems that can […]

Breaking the Ice at Ice Breaker TT
We have four simple rules at the Kawaoka compound: Don’t talk, act. Don’t say, show. Don’t promise, prove. Don’t eat Mcdonald’s, eat lettuce. This past weekend, I had two athletes racing a local 10-mile road cycling time trial (Taco Time Ice Breaker TT) — my wife (Becca) and Michelle M. This “out season” has […]

Ironman Canada 2018 – The Road Less Traveled
Two roads diverged in a yellow wood, And sorry I could not travel both And be one traveler, long I stood And looked down one as far as I could To where it bent in the undergrowth; Then took the other, as just as fair, And having perhaps the better claim, Because it was grassy and […]

Kim 2nd Overall at Ocala HITS 70.3!
News flash – Kim is on a roll! Kim is a coach’s dream. She not only works her butt off, she also communicates well, listens, and constantly provides feedback. I feel like we’ve “clicked” from day one and her race results prove it. One aspect where she particularly shines (that is often very tough to […]

YMCA Sprint – Jeffrey’s First OA Win!
Jeffrey has been one of my most loyal, dedicated clients for the past several years. Like any veteran of this sport, he has experienced the highs and lows of triathlon. He has persevered through injuries, sicknesses, races that did not meet his expectations, and a hectic work and family schedule… yet still finds the time […]

Snickers Half Marathon – Kim 2nd AG!
Juggling a busy family and work life and training for an Ironman can be very daunting. However, it can be done with success with the proper training and periodization throughout the year. Kim has managed to train very effectively, while still being an amazing mother and wife (her husband is also a hardcore Ironman triathlete!). […]

Becca – Cool Runnings at the Phoenix Half
Feel the Rhythm! Feel the Rhyme! Get on up! It’s sub 1:30 Marathon Time! – My race morning pep talk In honor of the Winter Olympics, Becca’s race was based on the movie Cool Runnings. Much like the Jamaican bobsled team, Becca has been a dark horse in her early triathlon career. She has shown […]

Becca – Queen of Fistman
Training is in full swing for Becca. She is preparing for the Boston Marathon in April and doing her inaugural Ironman in Whistler. Becca reminds me a lot of my work ethic and willingness to be the best she can be. The progress she has made in just over a year in triathlon is incredible. […]