TTN Takes on Cactus Man 🌵Grit, Grace, and the Finish Line

What a weekend for the TTN Nation. If you’ve been around this sport long enough, you know that triathlon isn’t just about the miles you log—it’s about how you handle the variables you can’t control. This past weekend at the Cactus Man Triathlon, our team was put to the test in more ways than one.

Saturday, April 25th: The Calm Before the Storm

The energy on Saturday morning was electric. Head Coach Zak, Kenzie, and little Maverick joined Dom and Ashly for a shakeout ride through the Tempe Town Lake and Rio Salado bike belts. There’s something about that pre-race spin that settles the jitters; the camaraderie of the team acts as a buffer against the nerves.

As we rolled into registration, the atmosphere had officially shifted. The "Triathlon Energy" was palpable—the scent of sunscreen, the sight of high-end carbon fiber, and the buzz of athletes from all over. After checking in our bikes and saying our "see you tomorrows," we headed to Mill Ave for a team lunch at Postinos.

The strategy for the day? Precision.

• Nutrition: A balanced mix of clean carbs, fats, and proteins.

• Hydration: Non-stop electrolytes to battle the Arizona dry heat.

• Mindset: We capped off the afternoon recording a live TTN Podcast episode filled with laughs before everyone headed off to rest with their families.

  
  

Sunday, April 26th: Resilience Over Everything

At 4:15 AM, the alarms went off, but they were accompanied by a text no one expected. On Saturday night, Zak and Kenzie were involved in a car accident. We are incredibly grateful to share that Maverick was with his grandmother at the time, and by the grace of God, everyone involved walked away safe.

While Zak made the difficult (and smart) call to sit the race out for safety, he didn't stay home. At 5:00 AM, he was on the ground at Tempe Town Lake, ready to coach. That is the TTN spirit: Show up for the team, no matter what.

The Race Breakdown

At 6:30 AM, it was go-time.

• Ashly York: Making her Sprint triathlon debut, Ashly silenced any "first-timer" nerves with a blistering sub-15-minute swim. She didn't just finish—she claimed 2nd in her Age Group. A massive debut!

• Carlos Mendez: Competing in a stacked International distance field, Carlos showed us what pure execution looks like. He battled through the heat to secure 3rd in his Age Group.

• Dom Certalic: Talk about an upward trajectory. Last year, Dom took 12th in his AG. This year? He climbed the ranks to take 7th in his Age Group. That is the definition of a durable, evolving athlete.

The TTN Definition

Sunday was about more than just personal bests or podium finishes. It was about resilience. It was about a coach showing up for his athletes after a traumatic night, and athletes channeling that grit into their performance.

To every TTN athlete who lined up: You did the work, you faced the adversity, and you crossed the line. That is why we do this.

"It’s not just about the finish line; it’s about the grit that defines the TTN Nation."

What was your biggest takeaway from race weekend? Drop a comment below or tag us in your finish line photos!