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#127 - Finding the sweet spot between commitments in life and fitness goals can feel challenging. In this episode, elite athlete and certified exercise physiologist Raquel Faires, shares her journey of balancing intense training with family life, including raising two young children just 13 months apart. As a former D1 cross-country athlete, Category One cyclist, and elite DEKA athlete, Raquel brings unique insights into sustainable training approaches and important mindset insights.

Drawing on her professional expertise and personal experience with burnout and recovery, Raquel offers practical strategies for maintaining fitness while juggling life's demands. We also discuss topics ranging from heart rate training to managing self-doubt, providing actionable tips that runners can apply to their own training journeys.


Topics Covered:

• Training Mindset: How to overcome comparison trap and self-doubt during workouts
• Smart Training Strategies: Understanding Zone 2 training and why athletes train slower to perform better
• Life Balance: Practical tips for fitting training around family commitments and busy schedules
• Recovery and Burnout: Signs of overtraining and strategies for sustainable training progress

Today’s Guest

Raquel Faires

Raquel Faires, a dedicated fitness professional from Indianapolis, IN, holds a B.S. in Exercise Science and is an ACSM Certified Exercise Physiologist. A former Division I cross-country and track athlete at Indiana University Indianapolis, Raquel’s passion for endurance sports began early in life, progressing from junior high track meets to competing at the State Championships in high school. Her athletic journey has taken her through triathlons, road bike racing as a Category 1 cyclist, and now as an elite hybrid athlete in DEKA competitions. Over the years, she has competed at three DEKA World Championships, earning podium finishes and setting her sights on future challenges like Ruck events and ATLAS in 2025.

Beyond competing, Raquel shares her expertise as a personal trainer and coach at EDGE Fitness & Strength and also leads the girls' cross-country team at Carmel High School, where she helped guide them to the 2024 State Championship and Nike Nationals. As a mom to three children, Raquel thrives in balancing family, coaching, and her personal fitness goals. 

Follow Raquel Faires:

• Instagram - @coachfaires
• Instagram - @deka_indy

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