Julie Dibens in Boulder

Julie Dibens of Great Britain is a three-time XTERRA World Champion, a two-time Olympic team qualifier, and while winning the 2010 Ironman 70.3 World Championship in Clearwater, she became the first woman to break the 4-hour barrier for the half Ironman distance. She and husband Michael Dibens and their criminally sweet and cute dog Lucky live in the Gun Barrel area of Boulder. Unlike many triathletes who follow the sun to warmer climes like Australia during the Northern hemisphere winter, Dibens is an old-school, four-seasons resident of the triathlon mecca of Boulder. As such, she runs in snow, and walks to the Flatirons pool in an extra large warm-up coat which she sheds before starting her sets.

This year, while preparing for her eagerly anticipated Ironman Hawaii debut, she does all the classic running, biking indoors and out, and running necessary for world class performance. But anticipating her greatest test, she also takes advantage of the cutting edge strength and core workouts offered by Petr Julianov at Colorado Sports Training in North Boulder. So far this year, it seems to be working.

A couple of days in the triathlon life of Julie Dibens.

All photographs © Timothy Carlson

Wringing her hair dry and soaking up the sunny blue skies at Flatirons pool.

Dibens does many technique drills. Here she shows the elegant form of a former competitive backstroker.

Solarized closeup.

Snuggling after the swim workout in a very cozy warmup coat.

Julie shares a warm, post-swim indoor Jacuzzi with fellow World Champion Tim O’Donnell at the Flatirons Athletic Club.

Stretching at Coot Lake before a chilly March run around Boulder Reservoir trails.

Running along the Boulder Reservoir dam with the Flatirons range in the backdrop.

Julie checks cleat positioning of her Bontrager RXL Hilo cycling shoes with Colorado Multisport fitter Ryan Ignatz, an excellent XTERRA athlete himself.

A salad at Panera suffices for mid-day lunch – broken up by a telephone interview to promote a future appearance at the Rev3 Triathlon.

Days before Abu Dhabi, Julie stays off the open roads and does a workout at home on her CompuTrainer – accompanied by Lucky and some alt rock.

Core and strength work at Colorado Sports Training with Petr Julianov involves lifting a heavy plate and twisting the trunk.

Standing on one foot with the back foot extended straight behind and arms forward is balletic – and harder than it looks.

Lunge and lift a modest weight straight up – in the company of good friend and fellow triathlete Mary Miller.

Julie, Petr Julianov and Mary Miller strive for perfect form.

Walking on all fours is an evolutionary step forward for an athlete.

Extending the arm for a sitting throw on the mat.

Early evening strides on the grass at Boulder Reservoir.

Portrait on a boat dock at Boulder Reservoir at sunset.

A sunset smile under a big April sky in Boulder.

Julie and husband Michael Dibens happy together at the end of another long day.