FIERCE Athlete x Rachel Zilinskas x Ironman Arizona

How does it feel coming in 2nd at Ironman Arizona?

Honestly, it feels amazing to be able to not only complete but actually compete in a race. It has been a really difficult stretch of injuries and setbacks, so I am very grateful to have been able to make it to the start line in a place to fight for the win. Even though I did not win, I was so happy to be back racing at the top level and make it on to the podium. Results do matter, but the most important thing to me is that I give my very best effort with what I had on the day. I feel like I did that, so I can walk away satisfied!

The whole day was extremely special. I honestly did not feel great physically the entire time, but I just felt an extreme amount of grace and gratitude. There were so many people cheering for me on course and so many friends and family praying for me, and that power carried me to the finish line. 

Tell us about your journey to get to this race.

As I mentioned, it has been a very difficult stretch of adversity for me. The past few years, I have struggled with a few stress fractures that made my training very inconsistent. After I finally recovered from the bone stress injuries last year, I qualified for the 2024 Ironman World Championships where I crashed and broke my collarbone. I was ready for 2025 to be an awesome year, but I ended up getting injured during my season opener in April and suffering another crash a few weeks later where I broke my elbow. I had some infection complications after elbow surgery, so I basically spent the entire summer recovering. Long story short - it had been 16 months since I was able to complete an Ironman! But in that time, I still improved as an athlete and was able to reflect even deeper on my call from the Lord and purpose in life and sport. It allowed me to get to the point where I had an intense fire to race but also a deep peace about being able to endure whatever came next. 

Why do you compete in Ironmans and what’s your favorite part?

I feel like I have been entrusted with a unique collection of gifts from God that are perfect for Ironman. In addition to my physical talents in swimming, biking, and running, I have an ability to withstand extensive monotony and suffering. When I am competing, I feel like I am fully alive and expressing my raw, unfiltered self. I grew up inspired by watching my mom compete in endurance events, and she still races in triathlons to this day - she actually won her age group at this race! My favorite part of racing is sharing the experience with her and all of my other family, friends, and supporters. Sport has gifted me with the most amazing relationships, and my favorite part is getting to enjoy and honor them through competition. 

How does your faith impact your training and competing?

I actually have come to view training and competing as a way to exercise my faith. In addition to the ability to honor my gifts from God, competing in sport serves as a platform where I can share my faith with my fellow friends and competitors. So many people have asked me about my story which gives me the perfect opportunity to be a witness and share how my faith has saved me. Training and competing also allows me the opportunity to grow my interior life and relationship with the Lord. I swim, bike, and run over 20 hours a week, most of it on my own. So many hours of my training are spent praying, offering, or just spending quiet time with the Lord. I can’t even tell you how many Hail Mary’s I said during the race this past weekend! Triathlon also gives me the ability to unite my suffering - whether physical or mental - to the Lord’s on the cross and allows Him to transform it for His glory. 

What’s next?

I am actually planning on racing one more time this year at 70.3 La Quinta on December 7. Following that, I will be looking forward to more races in 2026. With my performance this past weekend, I qualified for the 2026 Ironman World Championships, so preparing for that will be a focus. Though I have my sights set on some big goals for next year, I will embrace whatever comes with a sense of peace and freedom! 

What advice would you give to female athletes? 

There is only one thing that defines us that is eternal and that is our identity as a child of God. Money, fame, people, and even our athletic ability will come and go, but the one thing that will never change is God’s love for you. Embracing this fact actually allows you to live, train, and compete with a deeper sense of peace and freedom.