Hi Reader,
​
Ironman launched Woven a few weeks ago, which their new initiative to grow women’s participation in triathlon, with a headline goal of a start line that’s (eventually) 50% women.
​
For context: in 2025, women made up 18% of full-distance Ironman starters. That’s fewer than one woman for every four men at the swim.
​
If you’re a female cyclist reading this, you’re already nodding. You’ve done this math at a start line before.
​
I spent launch night in the comments sections of social media posts (yes, I know.). Within a few hours, those threads held nearly every emotion we bring to endurance sports: hope, exhaustion, anger, doubt, humor, and a GIF or two.
​
Honestly? I felt all of it too.
​
I’m reading all of it as a female who has raced a full Ironman, seven-ish 70.3s, and more sprint and Olympic distance tris than I can count on both hands. So when someone writes “I’ll believe it when I see it,” I get it.
​
Women in this sport have earned their skepticism. There have been a number of misses and slips over the past several years, which I won’t get into here. Needless to say, when you hear someone’s skepticism, she very well may be speaking from memory. And to do this work properly, that memory (and skepticism) belongs in the conversation.
​
I’m one of Woven’s seven expert ambassadors, which still feels a little surreal to type. So why did I say yes to an organization that has been known to make a number of mistakes over the years when it comes to inclusion?
​
I said yes because I’d rather push for change from inside the room than critique from outside of it. I’m a firm believer of using my resources when I have the capacity to do so. I also said yes because underneath the launch-day social media posts, the plan has some real green flags.
​
Three worth your attention:
​
​1️⃣ The unglamorous stuff is finally becoming the norm. Lactation spaces. Changing tents. Women-only toilets. Menstruation products, all standard at events. If you’ve ever gotten your period halfway through the bike leg, you know one small detail can change a whole race day. We already have enough “what ifs” to manage out there.
​
​2️⃣ They’re not assuming everyone wants a 140.6. Woven is considering relay and short-course entry points, recognizing that time is the number one barrier women face. My own research has found the same thing: among 382 women and gender-diverse cyclists, lack of time to train was the most highly rated barrier to participation. Meeting women where their actual lives are? Green flag.
​
​3️⃣ They’re splitting satisfaction data by gender. If 75% of finishers are men, women’s experiences stay invisible unless you go looking for them. You can’t address an experience you never disaggregate. That’s the move I want every race organizer to copy.
​
Now, what am I still watching? Kona slots for women. Whether gender-expansive inclusion reaches the fine print, not just the headline. And how the community talks about bodies and food, because diet-culture language has no place where female athletes talk training and fueling.
​
Those questions are coming with me into the rooms I’ll have the opportunity to enter.
​
The full breakdown of what Woven actually is, the green flags, what I’m watching, and why I’m genuinely hopeful is on the blog.

And if you’ve raced an Ironman or 70.3, hit reply and tell me: what’s one thing a race director could change that would make your race day better? I’m collecting these receipts, and they’ll shape the questions I take back into the conversations with the Ironman Woven team.
​
​🎧Also Worth Your Ears
​Our very own Avery Nelson recently joined the Love Your Inner Athlete podcast to talk about why flexibility beats old-school mental toughness. Listen to Avery’s episode here👇

Avery Nelson: Why Flexibilit... Oct 13 · Love Your Inner Athlete 40:08   ​

And if the episode has you thinking about your own mental game: Avery has 1:1 spots open for October. If you’ve been waiting for a sign, this is a pretty good one. ✨ Book a free call with Avery today!​

Til next time,
Dr. A

​​​