We finally wore her down and the amazing KATE LOONEY is now a Viking! Spotlighting her today to find out more about this very fast girl!
WHEN DID YOU JOIN VALHALLA + VALKYRIE RACE TEAM?
Officially in 2024, unofficially in 2017 as Valhalla team tent and beer mooch
WHEN DID YOU START TRIATHLON?
I’d say with Galveston 70.3 in 2016. I had done a few sprints for fun prior to that, but Galveston was the first focused triathlon build.
TELL US ABOUT YOUR TRIATHLON JOURNEY:
I had gotten into an injury cycle back in 2015 trying to notch my marathon time down and was super frustrated at being sidelined. My friend (and former Valkyrie member) Andrea Davidson had just completed her first Ironman at Texas in 2015 and invited me to come train with her group for Galveston 70.3 in 2016. So I jumped in, hired my first coach, made some new friends, and got to work. Initially I was not a happy camper because Saturday was my long run day, which got replaced as the long ride day. The first early rides were lonely learning the ropes, but I grew to love being able to explore new places and go further in a few hours on a bike than I could running. Swimming was, well, swimming, but I enjoyed the mix of all 3 sports. And best of all-my body stopped feeling beat up from run mileage.
Training went well and I was able to nab a Worlds spot in Galveston that was set for Mooloolaba, Australia in September. Made all the plans to get out to that race and was about a month out from it when I woke up on a Monday morning and thought I had pulled a muscle in the middle of my back. My initial thought was triathlete panic that I was not going to be able swim that week lol, but it was quite peculiar as it felt like a muscle pull but didn’t seem to hamper swimming (or biking or running). So of course, I kept right on trucking along with training. By Wednesday I was short of breath and the pain in the middle of my back was growing to the point I could not lay down. By Thursday it was so bad I went to my primary doc and ultimately ended up in the ER that night.
I had multiple pulmonary embolisms in both lungs and DVTs up and down both legs. Immediately was put on warfarin shots and a blood thinner for 6 months, which needless to say ended all near-term plans for triathlon racing the rest of 2016 given the risk of crashing on a bike while taking blood thinners.
As soon as I could, I got back to it (actually encouraged by docs), but it was a long winter of trainer rides to be safe. I was able to come off the blood thinners and get back to racing in late spring of 2017 when I did CB&I as the first race back. Felt great to be back at it again, and decided to make Ironman Texas 2018 the next big goal.
Since then I’ve done 5 fulls and a bunch of 70.3s and can’t imagine my life without triathlon and the wonderful friends I’ve made along the way.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE RACE?
Honestly I don’t have one-I see each one as it’s own adventure and puzzle to try and crack to the best of my ability
WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR BIGGEST ACCOMPLISHMENT IN THIS SPORT?
2nd amateur female in Galveston 70.3 in 2023
WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR BIGGEST CHALLENGE?
Imposter syndrome, especially in the swim
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE POST RACE FOOD?
Beer and tacos
TELL US ABOUT YOUR FAMILY:
Married to Bob, mom to Jack (17) and Anna (15). Dog mom to Mac.
TELL US ABOUT YOUR PROFESSIONAL/PERSONAL LIFE.
I’ve done operational weather forecasting for 10+ years with a long break in between to stay home with my kids. When they were both into elementary school, I did a brief stint at Fleet Feet for a few years which was super fun! Went back to operational forecasting in 2019 as a contractor, and now I’m transitioning into a sales role with the same company as of the last few weeks. It’s been a great new challenge!
WHAT IS SOMETHING NO ONE WOULD EVER GUESS/KNOW ABOUT YOU?
Love improv comedy. Grew up watching the now (very) old British improv show “Whose Line Is It Anyway?”
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE THING ABOUT THIS TEAM?
My first impression of the team was: Geez, these Valhalla people can BIKE!!! as I got passed a million times by Valhalla kits and Steve Hardy’s viking disc… 😉 But more generally I’d say the support I’ve seen from the group for each other out on the course-it really stands out at races.
WHO IS YOUR FAVORITE AUTHOR?
Can’t say I have a favorite, but if I have the time to read, usually geeking out over something related to endurance training/nutrition
WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE RESTAURANT?
Any great Japanese/sushi restaurant is my fav 🙂
WHO IS YOUR BIGGEST INSPIRATION?
My grandma Kay-an endurance athlete in her own right because she was always on the go, just in service to her family and her community. Kind and quiet, but very wise. When she spoke, others listened and valued what she had to say. Made the BEST fried chicken I’ve ever had in my life.
WHAT EXCITING PLANS DO YOU HAVE FOR THE NEXT YEAR?
New job, a couple of full Ironman distance races (Texas and a fall race TBD), and hoping to hop into some road racing (cycling) to give that a try
ANYTHING ELSE YOU WOULD LIKE TO SHARE?
Happy to be here officially now!
