Arrived with pride and joy.
A childhood among sports, lots of sports, Barney the Dinosaur, Pokémon, Harry Potter and Tom Sawyer. Five hungers in her: vastness, adventure, justice, intelligence, humour. A foundation that was never in question - even when some people would find her weird.
The first half marathon.
21.1 kilometers through Berlin. Brandenburg Gate, Brazil headband, bib 13033 (3 is her lucky number). With the guidance of Miguel, her former coach, she made it. But the real reason she crossed that finish line was her mom — who was undergoing leukemia treatment, and for whom every kilometer was more and more love spread. Seven months later, in November, her closest and biggest confidant left us and became a shining star. Grief led to a decision. The turning point: if there was anything Zoe was ever waiting for, that had changed. Time is not guaranteed. She decided to start triathlon a few months later.
she believes she is still and every day guided by her mom, every step. her protection. funnily enough, 13 was her mom's lucky number — look once again at the bib.
Grief as Fuel.
August 2024. The triathlon life solidifies. First race decided — registration done for the Hannover Sprint in September. One month of preparation with Rafa as her coach: no bike, no kicker, no clue what triathlon really was. Grief hit hardest then. And the stronger it was, the more power it gave — to continue, to train, to seek 1% better every single day.
5:45.
Full-time job. Full-time training. Full-time life. 2025 was the year triathlon stopped being a new thing and became the thing. Gym twice a week, swim three times, run and bike four times. Alarm at 5:45. Heavy backpack from home to pool to office and back. Cooking, cleaning, socializing — all still there, just smaller. A lot of nos. To late nights, second plans, easy mornings. And underneath all of it: focus, discipline, and trust. Not blind faith — the kind you build by showing up. Every single morning.
The first Ironman 70.3.
One sentence from Rafa, mid-call, out of nowhere: "And then in September you can do the 70.3 in Italy." She didn't say it out loud, but the thought hit immediately: Am I ready? Will I be ready? She chose to trust the process. To trust her coach. She went all in. Cervia, September 2025 — her first 70.3. And smiling coming out of the water. Because for her, the hardest battle was not the race. It was every single morning she chose not to stop. Cervia was just the day it showed.
First race at home. First ticket to Nice.
Racing in Brazil for the first time, second 70.3 — and not alone. Surrounded by family and friends, she felt carried in a way she never had before. It wasn't just a race, it was emotion in motion — support, love, and pressure all at once. A tough day, a deep fight, and a finish line that meant more than time. Built on hard work, lifted by others, and with a touch of luck — she qualified for the Ironman 70.3 World Championship in Nice, France.
Ironman 70.3 World Championship.
YET TO COME.
