The North Shore Weekend, February 20,2021

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SATURDAY FEBRUARY 20 | SUNDAY FEBRUARY 21 2021

SUNDAY BREAKFAST

WEEKEND WEATHER

Mexican restaurant Guanajuato owner Margarita Challenger now thriving in Winnetka P14

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Saturday, morning sun giving way to clouds, high 21. Saturday night, cloudy, low 14. Sunday, chance of snow 70%, high 32.

NORTH SHORE FOODIE A comfort cassoulet from North Carolina P12 FOLLOW US:

NO. 436 | A JWC MEDIA PUBLICATION

IRON WOMEN WINNETKA’S KATE NEAL, INSPIRED BY HER MOTHER’S BATTLE WITH CANCER, COMPETES IN AND FINISHES HER FIRST FULL IRONMAN. BY BILL MCLEAN THE NORTH SHORE WEEKEND

Two women, two arduous journeys. Lois Gibbons’ trek began with a cancer diagnosis in 2018. Her daughter Kate Neal’s journey began shortly thereafter, with a commitment to train for her first full Ironman (2.4-mile swim, 112-mile bike ride, 26.2-mile run). Neal lives in Winnetka with her husband, Matt, and their sons, 11-year-old Ryan and 7-year-old Luke. “I’d wanted to do a full Ironman for a while,” says Neal, who, over a 15-year span, had raced in four half Ironman races and several triathlons before heading to Kentucky to line up for Ironman Louisville in late 2019. “Mom’s cancer diagnosis was the tipping point for me. I’d always been a disciplined person, but I knew training for and competing in a full Ironman would take me to a different level.” “You grow the most when you’re challenged,” she adds. This mother and daughter grew together. Exponentially. Gibbons started radiation and chemotherapy. Neal hired coach/trainer John Nichols, of Highland Park-based Vision Quest, and trained 10 to 15 hours a week for seven months.

“Long journey and long days, filled with challenges and ups and downs,” recalls Neal, who is in her early 40s. “My mother has always been strong and resilient. I had to be the same, as I prepared for the Ironman, worked fulltime, continued my role as wife and mother, and took care of my mom.” When asked about her training regimen, Neal shares that she typically practiced each discipline two to three times per week, doubling up some days. “There were days when I was on the bike for six hours straight and capped it off with a one hour run. It was like a full-time workday. But I loved it.” Often workouts were tackled in the evening, after a long day of work. “I just made it happen because that’s what you do when you want something so much. It was good to throw myself into such a positive project.” She continues, “There were certainly challenges—like swimming in frigid 55 degree Lake Michigan, clad in a neoprene cap and booties to tolerate the extreme temps. You push your body to the limits.” And it’s not only about getting your body ready to perform for 12 hours straight—you need rest and recovery to prevent injury, and you need to master nutrition, which some triathletes consider the fourth discipline. You can come to race day ready to swim, bike, run, but if you don’t fuel properly throughout the day, it’s game over. “Looking back, I’m grateful for my coach, who was instrumental in my journey, guiding me every step of the way and providing consistent encouragement and support. John built my confidence.” Never underestimate the importance Continued on PG 8

Kate Neal of Winnetka. PHOTOGRAPHY BY ROBIN SUBAR