“Eat. Breathe. Sleep. Train. Repeat.” 

That is how committed Katie Sims ‘11 described her preparation for her first full Ironman in 2017. At the time she was in college at Ohio Northern University and had to find ways to balance the demanding training, proper nutrition, getting enough sleep, and attending classes for her bachelor of science in exercise physiology.

“I was very fortunate being in an exercise physiology program where I had training facilities open to me,” said Sims. “So I had a pool, I had a gym and where I went to school in Ohio it was very flat so I could go running for hours.” 

To prepare the human body both physically and mentally for an Ironman where competitors are moving for on average fifteen hours straight, requires many months of hardwork and dedication, oftentimes more than once a day.
“I would always train for eight to nine months,” said Sims. “I would spend in my peak days, six to seven hours training. It’s five hours on the bike, and then you’re going out and running up to a half marathon.”
Training with a friend or a group of friends is something Sims did often to make the lengthy distances more enjoyable.

“In college we had a triathlon club so that was nice to have a group to train with,” Sims said. “It’s kind of a lonely sport when you think about it so when you can find a good group that can be helpful.” 

In 2017 though, Sims unknowingly trained and raced with a stress-fractured foot, which led to a less than enjoyable race experience, and more importantly a three year break from Ironmans. 

“I had foot pain, I couldn’t keep down nutrition, I kept getting really sick,” said Sims. 

Throughout her career she has been fortunate her only injury suffered has been a stress fracture in an unforgiving sport where some people are one and done. 

“I have been really, really thankful that, outside of some discomfort here and there, there’s been no significant injury,” said Sims.

Mental roadblocks can be even harder to overcome than physical challenges in training because they require self awareness and resilience to push through. 

“Even if I’m not having the best training day, at least I know I’m going to feel better afterward,” said Sims. “I try to remind myself that I’m not a professional triathlete, I’m going out there to have fun and beat myself.”

Ironmans consist of a 2.4 mile swim, a 112 mile bike ride, and a 26.2 mile run. Like a true Michigander, the swim is where Sims feels most comfortable, which she attributes to growing up spending hours at the lake. 

“The swim is really one of the only times where you can really lock in and let the distractions around you float away,” said Sims. “It’s not everyone’s favorite, so for me to say that it’s my favorite I feel like I have a little bit of confidence and power in that” 

At Greenhills, Sims participated in four sports: cross country, soccer, softball, and basketball and she has always been an active and competitive person. 

“I am someone who will try anything at least once,” said Sims. 

One of her fellow teachers and Junior Varsity Basketball coach at Greenhills is Caitlyn O’Neal. Both started teaching at Greenhills in 2022 and Sims has helped O’Neal with preparing for her half marathon and other fitness-related topics. 

“I asked her for advice on what kind of road bikes to buy because that’s part of the Ironman,” said O’Neal. “I just have so much respect for her, she’s an incredible athlete.” 

Sims’s dream is to qualify for the Ironman World championships in Kona, Hawaii, but it can be difficult for her age range, 30-40 which is very competitive.  

“I might not qualify until I’m like 50,” said Sims. “I will do it (Ironmans) as long as my body will carry me, one way or another we’ll hopefully get there (Kona).”
Libby Schuster ‘27 has been on the Cross Country team and Basketball team with Sims for two years and also competed in a sprint triathlon this summer with Sims’s assistance. 

“She offered me a couple of tips on training and fueling,” said Schuster. “She also offered me some of her triathlon gear.” 

Sims has done three half Ironmans with her best time being 7:15 and three full Ironmans with her best time being 15:36. She is also willing to offer valuable advice to beginners who are unsure about signing up for their first Ironman.

“You can do more than you believe that you can,” says Sims. “At some point, your body shuts off and your mind just kicks on, and if you’re really passionate or really wanting to do something, you’re going to do it.”