Ironman Canada Raceday Review - 8/2/26
Nicholas Sommers Nicholas Sommers

Ironman Canada Raceday Review - 8/2/26

Ironman Ottawa tested me in ways I didn't expect. Between torrential rain, rough roads, a broken spoke, and a painful shoulder injury, the race became a lesson in adaptability. Here's my complete race report and how I fought through the challenges to finish my fifth full Ironman.

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Week of Ironman Canada Review
Nicholas Sommers Nicholas Sommers

Week of Ironman Canada Review

Planning to race Ironman Ottawa? Here's everything you need to know about travel logistics, hotels, restaurants, Ironman Village, race-day transportation, and the unique experience of racing in Canada's capital.

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My Packing List for an Ironman
Nicholas Sommers Nicholas Sommers

My Packing List for an Ironman

Packing for an Ironman can be stressful, especially when forgetting one small item can affect your entire race. This is the complete checklist I use before every event, covering swim, bike, run, nutrition, travel essentials, and race-day gear to help you arrive organized, confident, and ready to race.

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Race Review: Heatwave Half Marathon - Indianapolis, IN 5/12/26
Nicholas Sommers Nicholas Sommers

Race Review: Heatwave Half Marathon - Indianapolis, IN 5/12/26

The Heatwave Half Marathon wasn't about chasing a personal best. It was about testing my fitness at the end of one of my biggest training weeks before Ironman Canada. Battling extreme heat, humidity, and fatigue, I was reminded that sometimes the smartest race is the one that prepares you for the bigger goal.

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The Reality of Being a Working Triathlete
Nicholas Sommers Nicholas Sommers

The Reality of Being a Working Triathlete

At the beginning of May I started my first full-time job working for Congressman Jim Baird. The transition has forced me to completely rethink how I train for Ironman Canada, balance my priorities, and redefine what success looks like as I chase big goals both inside and outside of sport.

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2026 Ironman 70.3 Happy Valley Race Recap
Nicholas Sommers Nicholas Sommers

2026 Ironman 70.3 Happy Valley Race Recap

My 8th Ironman 70.3 at the North American Championships in Happy Valley didn't go according to plan. What started as a race filled with high expectations quickly became a lesson in humility, perspective, and perseverance. Despite a strong swim and solid bike split, the run forced me to adapt, regroup, and focus on simply reaching the finish line. Sometimes the races that challenge us the most end up teaching lessons far more valuable than a personal best.

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Book Review: Smile or you’re doing it wrong - Andy Glaze
Nicholas Sommers Nicholas Sommers

Book Review: Smile or you’re doing it wrong - Andy Glaze

This spring, I stepped away from collegiate swimming after one of the hardest mental health battles of my life. Around the same time, I picked up Andy Glaze’s Smile or You’re Doing it Wrong. What I found wasn’t just another endurance sports memoir - it was a reflection on hardship, purpose, identity, and learning how to smile anyway. This book challenged the way I think about success, suffering, and what it really means to “find your trail.”

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End of Semester Review
Nicholas Sommers Nicholas Sommers

End of Semester Review

A semester defined by setbacks, growth, and figuring things out in real time. From stepping away from collegiate swimming to earning the highest GPA of my college career, training for endurance racing, and preparing for law school, this spring forced me to become far more intentional with how I live and work.

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Earth Day 50K: Mud, Elevation, and My First Ultra
Nicholas Sommers Nicholas Sommers

Earth Day 50K: Mud, Elevation, and My First Ultra

From early race nerves to grinding through the final miles, this is a lap-by-lap look at my first 50K. Constant climbing, brutal creek crossings, and lessons in pacing and nutrition all led to a second-place finish and a strong start toward bigger goals.

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