For many of us, getting out of bed in time to log a quick workout at the gym requires the deepest kind of motivation. But for Nicole Loher, training at the crack of dawn is simply a way of life: Thanks to a calendar packed with challenging races, the triathlete works hard to keep her body in top form. That means twice-daily workouts, regular physical therapy sessions, and a formulaic diet packed with the nutrients she needs to support her demanding regimen. Oh, and the 24-year-old also has a killer day job at Christian Louboutin, too. So what does life look like when it calls for such a significant training schedule? (And for that matter, what does a typical triathlon workout look like?) We asked Loher to give us a firsthand look.
Keep reading for her play-by-play.