by Coach Paul Warloski
We’re now midway through the 2025 Heart and Gravel Comeback Tour, and I’ve learned a few powerful lessons.
This year, I’ve committed to racing 10 gravel events across the Midwest on the road to Gravel Nationals in September—all while raising funds and awareness for pediatric heart care.
Here are three takeaways so far:
1. Fundraising, Fun, and Gratitude
The support for the Herma Heart Institute at Children’s Hospital in Milwaukee has been incredible.
I’m humbled by the generosity of friends, family, and fellow athletes. So far, we’ve raised nearly $1,800, and I’ve celebrated each fundraising milestone with a fun challenge or costume:
- March – Dirty South Gravel Race (IL): I rode in a tutu and antennae—both orange, of course.
- April – Hell of the Wind (IA): One of my junior athletes ambushed me with silly string at the finish line.
- May – Hungry Bear (WI): I did 16 pushups after riding 62 miles of challenging gravel.
Coming up next?
Once we hit $2,000, I’m eating a dozen hot chicken wings post-race! If you’d like to support the cause, donate here.
2. Health Hurdles and Humility
I named this year the Heart and Gravel Comeback Tour for a reason—I’m coming back from two years of interrupted training due to Ventricular Tachycardia (VT), a condition where my heart races out of control.
After two heart ablations, the second one last fall seemed to have fixed the problem.
But during the Hungry Bear race in May, the symptoms returned.
- At the start, my heart rate spiked to 190+ bpm for 20 minutes—I felt it and backed off.
- The rest of the race? I unknowingly rode with my heart rate above 180 bpm for the last
In the last 90 minutes, I felt the familiar fatigue—legs drained of power—but didn’t know why until afterward.
Thankfully, my heart surgeon at Froedtert Hospital believes this wasn’t a recurrence of VT but a less serious arrhythmia.
The verdict? Keep racing.
The doctor believes excess caffeine may have been the cause of the increased heart rate.
I did the Hotdish Gravel Race this weekend in Winona, MN, and I had no problems after cutting way back on the caffeine.
3. Fitness Gains and a Solid Training Plan
Despite the heart hiccups, my fitness has steadily improved through the winter and spring.
I leaned on a base of years of training and did plenty of easy Zone 1 and 2 riding during the cold months.
But the biggest difference this year?
Following the Athletica training plan.
- I did more HIIT sessions than ever before, especially 30/30s and threshold intervals.
- I maintained strength training and taught weekly yoga classes to stay mobile and resilient.
At the 1904 Gravel Race in western Illinois, I felt fantastic, riding fairly close to the front of the pack with riders much younger than me.
Even during the Hungry Bear, with the heart rate issues and forced slowdowns, I finished only three minutes slower than last year.
That’s a win.
A Grateful Heart and More Racing Ahead
So far, this season has given me far more positives than negatives.
I’ve raced in incredible places, reconnected with a wonderful community, and proven to myself that I still have strength and grit.
Each race is like a curated tour into the beautiful countryside I would never have otherwise seen.
The Heart and Gravel Comeback Tour rolls on, and I’m incredibly grateful for the ride.
Three Things to Know About the Heart and Gravel Comeback Tour
1. We’ve raised nearly $1,900 for pediatric cardiac care at Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin.
2. I’m staying humble because my heart issues seem to be lurking in the background.
3. Athletica is kicking my fitness into a higher gear, and I’m feeling stronger than ever.
Need more?
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Paul Warloski is a:
- USA Cycling Level 1 Advanced Certified Coach
- RRCA Running Coach
- Training Peaks Level 2 Coach
- RYT-200 Yoga Instructor
- Certified Personal Trainer
- Certified Nutrition Advisor
