Sarah Borst Jarvis

I may be better at taking actual leaps than leaps of faith...  As I sit here with my feet up getting ready for Ironman Arizona in a couple of days, I want to take a few minutes and reflect on the last few weeks and how I am feeling going into this race. I hope to do this more often because it can be difficult to objectively look at a build-up for a race AFTER the race already took place and you know the outcome.   After a week away from home at Silverman 70.3 and in Arizona , we all got back into our daily routines which I love just as much as mixing it up and traveling. Kids are in school, Karl is writing his dissertation, and I am in training. Afternoons are spent at the soccer fields, with friends, on adventures, or playing at home. Six more weeks until Ironman Arizona and I am feeling good! I usually swim before the kids wake up, and then run and/or bike while they are at school. It's been a great fall in Utah so far and only the last couple of weeks ha...

Yup. We had loads of fun!  The day after my race in Vegas , we headed over to Flagstaff so the husband could attend some sort of Biology conference. (No, I am not a scientist, in case you can't tell. I studied linguistics...) I was easily convinced to come with him because - FRIENDS! I dearly miss my Flagstaff friends and training partners and was THRILLED to have a chance to hang out with them! As soon as we pulled into town, we headed over to Karen's for a birthday party . MY birthday party, actually. Because Karen knows me well, it was super low key and I loved it. Thank you, SuperK, for getting everyone together at your house!  brick run #1 After two short days of hanging out with friends on the trails, at the pool, and on the trainer, Karen and I decided it was time for a little get-away to somewhere less cold and rainy. Phoenix - here we come! First stop: Dove Valley Road! Remember how much I love this road ? It was perfect yet again and we had all ...

Lap pool in the backyard? Yes, please!  So spoiled.  Yes! Always such a treat when I get to go on a trip with just  the husband ! I was really looking forward to this one! A much-needed get-away for Karl and me together while the kids stayed with Grandma and Grandpa. It's been over a year that we had a chance to do this and that I've had my favorite race sherpa and bike mechanic  busy PhD student with me. But between me racing and him working, we still managed to have a whole lot of fun!  Silverman 70.3 ended up being a GREAT race for me and I ended up on the (extended) podium in 6th place and with a decent  pay check ! Happy birthday to me!!! Below is the more detailed race report. I hope that you might learn something for your own race preparation and execution or just enjoy a good read.  Happy as a clam. Hot, dry, sunny = my preferred race conditions Race Plan I want to make this blog more personal and share a bit more of my j...

There is so much great riding in Utah Valley and, after 5 years in Flagstaff, I am so happy to be back on these gorgeous mountain roads ! Especially in the fall. Summer is my favorite but a warm autumn day in the mountains with yellow and red leaves scattered across the road and falling down all around me - it's magical and makes my heart jump for joy!  In preparation for Ironman Arizona, I have had the pleasure of doing some really long rides. All of them solo . It's not my first choice to spend 6 hours in the saddle by myself with no one to talk to but, seeing how it's been hard to find the right training partners here (I was SPOILED in Flagstaff), I do enjoy the solitude and it's great preparation for race day.  The Nebo loop from my house in Provo is SUCH a great long training ride. The first hour or so is along the foothills to the mouth of Payson Canyon and then the climbing starts. And keeps going. And going. And when you think you are at the top...

I am in love with Utah in the summer and fall. I promised myself I would lay low for a couple of weeks after Vineman but then Louis - my German brother from another mother and Flagstaff riding buddy - announced that he was coming into town the day I was getting back from California. He was bringing his bike and planning on riding in the mountains with me. And as you know, I am a sucker for that kind of thing. So I told him I was game as long as he was going to be easy on me! And I gave him my Vineman prize - a gigantic wine bottle - as a bribe . It worked. Mostly.  not a bad view We rode all the mountains and hills we could find in those few days and were loving it! Thank you for riding bikes with me and being such a great friend, Louis!  these views never get old  The Alpine loop is one of my all-time favorite rides. And I have ridden my bike in quite a few awesome places including Germany, Italy, and France. You should plan a trip to Utah...

(Huge thanks to the very talented and kind Jeff Kapic and Larry Rosa of for the wonderful race day pictures!)  T1 by the Russian River in Guerneville I spent three really good weeks at home with the family after Ironman Coeur d'Alene   (this race report makes a lot more sense if you know what went down there)  and picking up my kids from the airport in Las Vegas. Sweet Reunion! Then I packed up my bags again and headed over to Northern California for Vineman. Two 140.6 races in four weeks. Why? A few reasons: I did Vineman last year ,  love everything about it, and really wanted to come back! CDA was sort of like a free trip because the kids were in  Germany  and didn't miss me. I wanted a race where I could bike according to feel and see where that gets me. I recovered well from IM CDA. It's within driving distance. I need more experience at this distance. I love racing and experimenting with new ideas!  It's a long d...