Profile

Bio

Cody Beals is a second year professional triathlete based in small-town southern Ontario. After dabbling in skiing, swimming and running, he found his way to triathlon in his late teens. Cody competed as a runner and triathlete throughout his senior high school and university years, although academics always took center stage.

Between 2008 and 2012, he immersed himself in his studies in physics at Queen’s University, envisioning a career in research and academia and finding little time for racing. He gradually came to realize that endurance sports, like his familiar academic sphere, rewarded consistent, deliberate practice even more than natural ability. Cody went on to graduate top of his class, but by then his growing obsession with triathlon rivaled his passion for science. Fortunately, he discovered that the two interests were highly compatible.

Following graduation, Cody found work as a consultant in the field of environmental science while continuing to pursue triathlon. Applying an analytical, data-driven approach to training and racing, he self-coached his way to the elite amateur level. Cody’s breakthrough came in 2013, when he won his first half distance triathlon at the Ontario Long Distance Championships in course record time (3:58). He capped off his final season as an age group athlete with a top 5 finish at Muskoka 70.3 before making the jump to the pro ranks in 2014.

Cody is now striving for the highest level of performance with the help of a superb team of coaches, mentors and supporters. So far, he has achieved a perfect record of top 5 finishes at the professional level.

Career Highlights

  • 2015 – 3rd Ironman 70.3 Texas
  • 2014 – 2nd Ironman 70.3 Muskoka (first off the bike)
  • 2014 – 2nd Challenge St. Andrews Half
  • 2014 – 5th Pro Debut Ironman 70.3 Texas (3:50)
  • 2013 – Ontario Long Distance Triathlon Champion (course record, half distance debut)
  • 2013 – MultiSport Canada Triathlon Series Elite/Pro Winner
  • 2012 – Age Group Triathlete of the Year (Triathlon Ontario)
  • 2012 – Multisport Canada Triathlon Series Elite/Pro Runner-up

About My Blog

One objective of this blog is to document the slow, often challenging process of transforming myself into an elite triathlete. Too often, we only hear about an athlete’s successes, while their struggles, insecurities and screw-ups don’t get the same billing. It’s all part of the learning process and I have not shied away from sharing my highs as well as my lows, like overcoming mental health issues, overtraining and insomnia. In being so open, I hope to demystify elite development and help athletes of all levels learn from my experience.

Many of the blog post topics come from questions I receive or what I see as common misconceptions in endurance sports. I try to offer more than just another glorified training log. The subject matter may be technical at times, but I try to make the material as accessible as possible. I make no pretence of being an expert in any particular area; rather, I aim to show that you don’t need to be an expert to take an analytical, evidence-based approach to training and racing.