From Kona to Kansas: Taking on Unbound Gravel 200
After reaching the pinnacle of triathlon with a trip to the Ironman World Championship in Kona, coach and athlete Lindsay Long set her sights on a completely different challenge: the legendary Unbound Gravel 200. In this episode, Lindsay joins Jill to share what it's really like to tackle one of the world's most iconic gravel races. From riding through lightning storms and axle-deep mud to managing nutrition, crashes, mechanicals, and the mental challenges of a 15-hour day in the saddle, Lindsay offers an honest look at the realities of ultra-endurance gravel racing. Along the way, Jill and Lindsay dive into the importance of self-sufficiency, bike maintenance skills every endurance athlete should know, the differences between Ironman and gravel racing, and why pushing beyond your comfort zone can lead to some of the most rewarding experiences in sport. Whether you're a triathlete, cyclist, runner, or simply someone who loves hearing stories of resilience and adventure, this conversation will leave you inspired to take on your own next big challenge.
In this episode:
- Lindsay's journey from Ironman and Kona to gravel racing
- Why she chose Unbound 200 as her first ultra-endurance gravel event
- What makes gravel racing so different from road cycling and triathlon
- Racing through thunderstorms, lightning, mud, and changing conditions
- How Unbound's support system and drop bags work
- The crash at mile 40 and continuing despite injuries
- Nutrition lessons learned over 200+ miles
- Mechanical skills every endurance athlete should learn
- Tubeless tires, chains, flat repairs, and race-day bike prep
- Training for a 200-mile gravel race
- The supportive culture of the gravel community
- Why more women should consider gravel racing
- The unforgettable finish line experience at Unbound
- Lessons in resilience, adaptability, and embracing new challenges
Connect with Lindsay Long
🌐 Long Game Endurance Coaching
longgameendurancecoaching.com
Connect with Be Fierce Multisport
🌐 Be Fierce Multisport
befiercemultisport.com
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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