"Impressed... That is the word that comes to mind when I think of Melanie Weber and her accomplishments this season", says Coach Kevin. Her ability to balance this journey with the many hats she wears on a day to day basis, and to have the results she had was remarkable. Melanie conquered Ironman Lake Placid with what looked like ease, fun, and so much positive energy. Truly embracing the journey and then turning the actual day into what felt like a celebration with family, friends, and teammates lining the course. At every opportunity, a smile, a hug, a high five - she made it awesome not only for her "fans", but more importantly - herself. I am unbelievably proud of Mel, and the opportunity I had to coach this rock star - that I am lucky to have as my sister-in-law! Congratulations, Mel!! #T3Proud

Coach Rachel says, "Getting the chance to coach Hillary this year was a very special opportunity for me that I am thankful for. I truly feel that she is one of those people that can do ANYTHING she sets her mind to, and while working towards whatever that may be, she never loses sight of everything else in her life that is important to her. She prioritizes her family, friendships, work, supporting others, and having fun…and does it so well!
"Hillary made her debut in triathlon this year but is no stranger to endurance athletics. She has an impressive background in ultra running, which really set her up for success in triathlon, especially from a mental standpoint. Her athletic IQ made coaching her a breeze :). She showed up every day and did what had to be done, and many times had to be creative about it. Hill runs with a jogging stroller?! Her dedication this season has been admirable, and she was able to showcase her ability and grit at Ironman Lake Placid. Hillary is a fantastic athlete, and even better person. It will be exciting to see where the sport of triathlon takes her, as I feel she has tremendous potential. Congratulations Hillary!" #T3 Proud!

A:   HW :: Hillary Williams, Queensbury, NY
MW :: Hi! I am Melanie Weber and I live in Glens Falls, NY.

A:   HW :: 38
MW :: 35

A:   HW :: Mom & co-owner of (g)row for kids in Glens Falls
MW :: Business and Human Resource Manager at Common Roots Brewing Co and Co-Owner of a children's store called (g)row (with Hillary!)

A:    HW :: Signed up for my first triathlon one year ago!
MW :: I started my triathlon career in 2001 with the Monday night kids mini tri series in Lake Placid, after that my next triathlon was in 2024 when I completed Ironman Lake Placid. So, I guess you could say my triathlon career has spanned 23 years.

A:   HW :: Signed up for my first triathlon one year ago!
MW :: I started my triathlon career in 2001 with the Monday night kids mini tri series in Lake Placid, after that my next triathlon was in 2024 when I completed Ironman Lake Placid. So, I guess you could say my triathlon career has spanned 23 years.

A:   HW :: Almost a year by Coach Rachel
MW :: This is my second year being coached by Kevin. He was my coach when I was training for Ironman Lake Placid 2020 (canceled due to COVID) and then again this year for Ironman Lake Placid 2024.

A:   HW :: Ironman Lake Placid, having so many friends and family there made it extra special. The entire course has beautiful views- helps keep a smile on your face throughout the day.
MW :: My favorite race, without a doubt, has been Ironman Lake Placid. While it’s the only triathlon I've competed in, it stands out even when compared to all my running and other race experiences. The breathtaking setting in the heart of the Adirondacks made the entire day unforgettable. It felt even more special being close to home, surrounded by friends and family cheering me on. The town of Lake Placid itself adds an indescribable energy and magic to the race atmosphere, making it a truly exceptional experience.

A:   HW :: Garmin watch, because if it's not on Strava, did it really even happen??!
MW :: My favorite piece of triathlon equipment has to be my bike! I ride an Argon 18 tri-bike, and I absolutely love it. Not only is it beautiful, it also makes riding comfortable. Biking is my favorite discipline in triathlon, and having a bike that fits me so perfectly, thanks to Grey Ghost Bicycles, makes the experience even more fun!

A:   HW :: Finishing a 100 miler in under 24 hours and qualifying for and running the Boston Marathon.
MW :: One of the biggest highlights of my athletic career has been the journey of training for an Ironman. Even though the race itself is significant, the real accomplishment for me was balancing the intense training with all of my life’s commitments, including raising two children under the age of three. It’s not often that I say this, but I’m incredibly proud of how I managed to stay committed, follow Kevin’s plan without making (too many) excuses, and give it my all. The time, energy, and discipline required to prepare for an endurance event like this far exceeded the race day itself. Regardless of what the race day outcome could have been, the training process is what truly stands out for me.

A:   HW :: Get faster at the half Ironman distance
MW :: While I’m confident triathlon will remain a part of my life in the future, I’ve decided to take a break for now. Completing an Ironman was an incredible bucket list achievement, but as I mentioned before, the training demands are immense. At this stage in my life, with other priorities taking the forefront, it's just not the right season for such a big commitment. I’m looking forward to returning to the sport when the timing feels right.

A:   HW :: Stay active and try to get faster in each of the 3 disciplines.
MW :: My ultimate goal in triathlon is to complete a full 140.6 race alongside my husband and kids one day, when they’re older. The idea of sharing such an epic experience together as a family would be an absolute dream come true.

A:   HW :: Cheeze-Its, wine, chips & salsa (a very balanced diet)
MW :: Pretzels, Chips/Salsa, and pickles.

A:   HW :: Folk rock/pop with a little 2000's pop and hip hop
MW :: Believe it or not, I actually don’t have playlists, and I rarely listen to music while working out. I’m more of a podcast or audiobook person when it comes to keeping myself entertained during a workout or in the car. But if I were to make a playlist for life, it would definitely feature a mix of Taylor Swift, ’90s rap, and early 2000s pop.

A:   HW :: Get a coach!! ☺️
MW :: My biggest advice to a newbie is: you can absolutely do this—trust your coach and the process. I had some serious doubts about my ability to swim 2.4 miles when I first started, and if you ask Kevin, he probably had some doubts too. But I learned that anything is possible with dedication and a positive attitude. One of the things I love most about triathlon is that you don’t need to be fast to be successful. Just crossing the finish line, no matter the distance, is a huge accomplishment and something to be proud of.

A:   HW :: Listen to your body! A couple rest days are better than an injury.
MW :: My best training tip is to find training buddies and hold on to them! I had an amazing network of friends and family who kept me accountable, shared the miles with me, made me laugh, and helped make the entire training process more fun and manageable. But my biggest ‘secret’ was having a supportive partner. My husband, Christian, has completed two full Ironman races, so he truly understood the commitment our family was making when I signed up. His encouragement and help, whether picking up the slack at home or with our kids, were key to my positive training experience. I wouldn’t have enjoyed it nearly as much without his support.

A:   HW :: Hill repeats :)
MW :: My favorite workout might not be the most popular choice, but I absolutely love anything that involves hills! Whether I’m on my bike or running, I love digging deep and pushing myself to the max, all without the pressure of speed- I’m not really a speed person. The sense of accomplishment after a challenging hill workout is unbeatable! One of my top bike workouts is the Butler, Buckbee, Gurney trio.

A:   HW :: Learn CPR, it could save a life!!
MW :: #T34Life! While I say that with a bit of humor, I genuinely want to highlight the incredible community that Kevin has created. I met Hillary through T3, and now we own a business together; our kids are self-proclaimed best friends, and our husbands are besties too. I’ve built a network of positive, like-minded friends through this experience. I even had the joy of racing alongside my niece, Ella! T3 has transformed triathlon into something far more meaningful; it’s a family of supportive, funny, and kind individuals. Whether I’m actively training for a triathlon or not, I will continue to sign up and be proud to be a member of T3.