Chelsea Bingham

Final weeks of pregnancy + baby Harriet’s arrival! I kept swimming 3-4 times a week until the day before I went to the hospital. I went to see movies, spent time with friends, decluttered the apartment, and watched Sasha set a new PB for the marathon, which I plan to beat at CIM later this year ;) On my due date I went to labor and delivery after a couple high blood pressure readings, which resulted in an induction. It was a LOOOONG process, and about 33 hours after we started (and three+ hours of pushing) baby Harriet made her appearance. Was so lucky to have the most amazing nurses and doctors at UCLA, and of course @sashahirsch who kept my spirits up and the snacks stocked. And in case you were wondering, it was way harder than an Ironman 😱🤣

what a difference a year makes! may not have had the tri season I originally planned (covid, fractured tailbone, concussion), but I had a blast working with @zootsports and am looking forward to the longest endurance event of my life in 2026 :) …and maybe a late season marathon 👀

did a couple maternity shoots with @zootsports 😎baby coming march 2026! first pic: 4 weeks second pic: 13 weeks the rest: a random assortment because honestly I’ve been terrible at documenting this journey so grateful to be working with a company that has helped me size up and keep moving comfortably as I adapt to my growing body! y’all are the absolute best @markgoddard77 @mollyromais and the rest of the team <3 sasha held down the fort the many weeks I was too sick to do much of anything except survive and would help me get out to walk for fresh air, even if it was only ten minutes. despite feeling truly awful physically for months, spirits have stayed high. if long distance triathlon has taught me anything, it’s how to have a strong mind and roll with the punches. almost six months down, just a handful to go!

grateful for the ragtag crew that wakes up early for these dips every week — no phones, no news, no sharks 👀 🙏 (well sometimes sharks. but small ones.) 🎥 @_itsjesus Cover 📸 @mitchebersole

Made the decision to withdraw from IM Lake Placid. It’s been a very slow build back after my concussion at Texas, and I have to put my long-term health first. Thanks to @yoderperformance for the careful programming that brought my body back online and to my friends and family who have lifted my spirits through the fog and fatigue. Onward! Photos from the ride that cracked me harder than I think I’ve cracked before 😂 thank goodness for nerd clusters 📸 @christopher.d.bingham #zootsports #teamzoot #improseries #ironmanproseries #ironman #ironmantri #ironmanlakeplacid

inching along

Story time! The last time I had a concussion was about 20 years ago. I took a knee to the face during a soccer game. The hit was so hard it fractured my cheekbone. I crashed at an aid station around mile 60 of the bike during Ironman Texas. Must have lost concentration and hit a bump in the road that made me lose my balance. A reminder of how careful we have to be in this physically and mentally taxing sport. The volunteers had me back on my feet immediately, gave me water, grabbed my visor, and told me I was bleeding (minor road rash on knee and elbow). I checked my helmet was still functional and felt completely fine to continue. I got my chain back on, checked my brakes, and continued the race. I went on to do my best Ironman bike power yet. I felt the typical wobbly legs at the start of the run, but I wasn’t too far off the slow end of my pace. That started to fall apart around mile 9 or so, and I just figured it was dehydration. I finished the race, but I walked a lot. I felt terrible, but I didn’t want to give up just because I couldn’t hold pace. I told myself that if I started throwing up, I would reevaluate. That never happened, so I trudged on. Thank goodness for friends and teammates to talk to along the way! Maybe a half hour after I finished I got hit with extreme nausea. I went to the med tent where they gave me medication to help, and I was told to monitor symptoms. Once I got home, it became clear I hit my head harder than I realized. I talked with a knowledgeable friend who helped me get through the first week, but she suggested I go see a specialist. I’m so glad I did, because I certainly concussed myself but also have a small fracture in my tailbone. I told my coach that if I could still “run” under four hours with a concussion and fractured tailbone my run fitness must have been pretty good going into the race 😂 Of course it’s disappointing, but as with every race, there’s so much to be learned, and this is just a harder lesson than usual. I don’t recommend racing another 6+ hours with these kinds of injuries, but adrenaline is one powerful drug. The build back to Placid begins! 📸 @christopher.d.bingham

Another Ironman down! Wish more of the run had looked like this but am super happy with the swim and bike I put together. And even with a less than ideal run, it was my fastest Ironman yet. Might give this race a real recap — was more eventful than usual (swipe to second pic). For now I’ll say my @rudyproject helmet and @zootsports kit were up to the task, and I am so grateful for volunteers who had their wits about them 🫡 Time for lots of tea and lounging. 📸 @christopher.d.bingham #ironman #ironmantri #ironmanproseries #ironmantexas

race prep going exactly to plan which is to say not at all to plan 🙃 finally feeling recovered from covid and regaining strength just in time for @ironmantri texas in two weeks! 📸 2, 7 @kevinscottbatchelor

worth the 4:30 alarms and puffy eyes, running on espresso and sourdough bread, to swim with the team for a couple days <3 📸 1-3: @kevinscottbatchelor

balance

gearing up for 2025 with @zootsports :) hmu if you’re ready for some winter open water swimming!