25 Feb Meet the Team: Joann Karpowicz
Life Outside Sport
- How did growing up in your family shape your approach to athletics and competition?
Get ready to laugh! I am the youngest of 5, the only girl and always taught to always be a lady. I went to Catholic school until 7th grade, we moved close to a beautiful public school that had a gym and athletics. I didn’t know anything about athletics, sports or competition. The first day of gym class was horrifying. What I learned was that I wasn’t alone and that I craved competition. By the end of 9th grade I excelled at sports, was competitive and went on to being a cheerleader in High School.
- Who’s your biggest supporter in your training journey? How do they help keep you going?
My biggest supporter is my husband, Patrick. He has encouraged me to do hard things and go out of my comfort zone every day. One year, for his birthday, he signed us both up for a 100-mile bike race, who does that and thinks it will be fun? At about mile 70, I wanted to die, he kept me going and encouraging me to finish and just have fun. I was the last female to finish that race but darn it all I beat five men – yes, I was pumped!
- What traditions or activities do you enjoy with your family when you’re not training?
When not training, we keep quite active depending on the season. We hike, camp, kayak, snowshoe, cross country ski and cycle as often as possible.
Balancing Act:
- How do you involve your family in your training/racing life? Do they join you for any workouts or races?
Most of the bike races I sign up for involve family either joining in the race or attending the race. My husband and I train quite often on Zwift and combine our workouts.
- What’s your strategy for balancing early morning workouts with family time?
Early morning workouts are a must if I am driving into the office. If it is a work from home day, I schedule my workout either at lunch or in the evening. My husband often sets the tone for the next day’s workout – or should I say he guilts me into it????
- Have any of your family members caught the endurance sports bug from you?
This is a great question, and the answer is yes! Both of my now adult children have encouraged me to keep active with them, we follow each other on Strava to keep accountable and share our experiences. My oldest son, while in the Navy and out to sea trained with us for the Marine Corp. Marathon a long time ago. That is a family memory to cherish forever. It was fun to watch dad beat his son by almost an hour!
Personal Growth:
- How has being an endurance athlete influenced your role as a parent/spouse/family member?
Learning to balance work and family life was key to training for my first half-ironman. If I didn’t have the already engrained skills of time management, I don’t think I would have been able to fit in with this huge training commitment and not ignore my family in the meantime.
- What life lessons from endurance sports do you try to pass on to your kids or loved ones?
I’ve encouraged my entire family to keep moving no matter what your age or ability is. Have fun with it and never stop.
- What’s a memorable moment where your family was there to support you during a race?
Seeing my husband and son at the finish of a grueling marathon made one of the hardest races of my life totally worth it. Sometimes you feel alone and then suddenly you realize that you have your own cheering squad.
Career & Training:
- How do you balance your professional life with training?
I’ve always been great at multitasking. I’ve swam and ran numerous times on my lunch hour at work to fit it all into a busy schedule. 5 am runs were the norm for many years all done before driving into the office. If you want it bad enough you will find a way to make it all work out.
- Has your athletic journey influenced your career choices or work style?
I was an RRCA certified long distance running coach which enabled me to be a Coach for 7 years for the Amway River Bank Run. I never would have dreamed of pursuing that opportunity had it not been for the encouragement from family and friends from the running groups that I have been a part of.
- What’s your typical day like juggling work, family, and training?
Every day must start with coffee and just relaxing, planning out my day. Fitting in that workout when I can and making sure that I fuel my body to meet those requirements.
Fun Facts:
- What’s your family’s reaction to your race-day nutrition choices?
I’ve dialed in my pre-race nutrition to fit my needs, it’s very simple food: bread, nut butter, honey, electrolyte drinks.
It’s the after-race day choices that make them laugh. Beer, pizza, Fireball … bring it on!
- Who’s the designated race photographer in your family?
Some of my best pictures have obviously come from Laura Caprara with Stellafly other than that I occasionally get candid pictures from friends/family attending a race or two.
- What’s the most creative way you’ve included your family in your training?
We bring our bikes with us on all our camping trips. We encourage others to do the same and join us. Hikes are always a good way to get everyone involved too.