Athletic Amherst Mom Competing On World Stage

This local mom is constantly pushing herself to the next level, and is preparing to compete on a totally new one.

Karin Biskovich is the director at Apple Therapy in Amherst and Milford, mother of two and a dedicated triathlete. She will be competing on the world stage in a world championship amateur triathlon in New Zealand today.

Biskovich qualified for the world championship after placing 7th in the USA triathlon in Burlington, VT, last summer.

“This is definitely new for me,” she said. “This is the big kahuna for an amateur status triathlete.”

Triathletes at the competition will take on a 1,500 meter swim, 40 kilometer bike ride and a 10 kilometer run in one go.

Her biggest challenge will be the 16-hour time difference, but at least the weather in New Zealand is similar to New England this time of year. She arrived in the country last Wednesday in order to adjust to the new time zone.

Biskovich has dedicated herself to a lifetime of fitness. Her childhood was spent in gymnastics and she later found swimming to her liking. She competed in triathlons after college, but has only gotten serious in training for them the past three years.

This decision came after her kids, ages 5 and 7, were born, which comes with its own set of challenges. Finding time to train is certainly difficult with two young children to look after, but she manages to make it happen. Plus, she is able to share her love of being active and outdoors with her children.

“If I go swimming, I’ll swim laps and they will swim in the kiddie pool,” she said. “You really have to get creative.”

She also shares her experience with her clients at Apply Physical Therapy, for the past three years, and said she is incredibly happy to help heal people and get them better.

A triathlete must excel in running, bicycling and swimming, so she runs three times, swims twice and finds time for two bike rides a week. She has been focusing her training on the running portion of the Olympic-length course, which is the biggest challenge as the end of the race nears.

Biskovich said that being mom is definitely harder than a triathlon, and offers a different kind of workout. She has maintained her training regimen quite well; the longest she has gone from exercising was six weeks after her first baby.

Exercise may seem like a chore for some, but this motivated mother finds joy in improving her performance and reach new physical heights.

“It is good for you, and it makes me feel good. I guess you could say I am addicted to exercise.”

This won’t be the last time that she competes outside of the country. She will compete in London next year after a second place finish in the USA Triathlon this year.