New Year, New Goals

2013...what a roller coaster ride!! So many wonderful adventures with old and new friends, joined the incredible Wolfpack, accomplished many goals in both work and triathlon, and learned a lot from each setback and challenge that I faced. No regrets - I couldn't be happier than I am right now, sitting here as a better person with a renewed sense of purpose and life. Everything does indeed happen for a reason! 

2014...I can't wait to meet you! From New Year's resolutions to substantial goals, you will be a year to be remembered. 

Miami 70.3

What a great day to end my triathlon season...18 races for the year from a sprint to an ironman...and I ended on a PR of 5:02 and a podium place at 70.3 Miami!!! So amazing to share it all with incredible teammates and friends, I'm very blessed. Despite swimming through seaweed masses, losing my bike computer, narrowly avoiding a bike crash, getting severely sunburnt and chafed, and feeling super slow on the run...I persevered and proved Impossible really is nothing. Thank you for all the love and support, without it this whole season would have been much more challenging 

REV3 South Carolina

Hmm so about going to China to rep Team USA?? Hecks yes!! So happy to say my run is back!! Finished the half ironman 15th overall female after coming 48th out of the water and podiumed with a 3rd place AG...lost it solely because of my slow swim, but I already recognize that weakness. Never got passed on the bike even with using my old girl and no wheel set, and ran a 1:41 half marathon on hills all the while never looking at my watch. 5:16 for the day...now devouring Texas Roadhouse before a 7 hour drive. Could not be happier and am so proud of Frank and Andrew for destroying their races. Wolf pups dominated today . Best part? Being called crazy by fellow crazy triathletes...it is my new badge of honor. China, here I come!! Thanks for all the love and support as always.

Reflection

It is hard to believe I started fully training for triathlons exactly one year ago and changed my life for the better in every aspect. The past year was full of many amazing and several not-so-great experiences, but every one changed me in a positive manner. We can't control what happens but we can control how we react.  Coming up on the completion of my first year in the triathlon community, I can't be more grateful for finding such a wonderful outlet. It has taken me across the world, introduced me to incredible friends and teammates, enabled me to be in phenomenal shape, and kept me striving to improve upon myself in every aspect. The best part?? I am 24 and this is only the beginning!! 

IM 70.3 World Championships - Las Vegas

Thoughts in a nutshell:
Swam like a snake for 1.2mi and nearly came out last for my age group
Swam in the lovely rainy weather
Ran from the swim exit downhill through mud to my bike and nearly fell
Then ran almost a quarter mile with my bike to the mount
Uphill at the end of that
Couldn't clip in because of mud in my cleats
4 miles uphill from the getgo
At mile 10 my hips, quads and calves burned
Seriously couldn't tell when I was going downhill or uphill
Hardest and longest climbs ever, definitely have not trained for that
Averaged suuuuuuppperrr slow speeds
My nose was running and I was shivering 75% of the ride from the rain
Brakes were rubbing and felt like I had a flat the whole time
Mile 35ish the rain stopped only for extreme humidity and heat to take over
Stopped to help a couple fix their bikes towards the end
Enjoyed the gorgeous views once the rain ended!
FInished the bike at 57 miles with a lovely uphill, again...
Came into the run strong, because i started on a downhill
Spent 75% of the run running uphill, at super low grades but for miles on end
Stopped at several aid stations due to severe dehydration with numbness
Calf muscles cramped from mile 7.5 to the finish
Had to run by chocolate milk AND food twice before getting to enjoy it 
Stopped to motivate a couple walkers
Finished at a much slower time than normal, but felt awesome about it all
Spent well over 30 minutes in the massage tent with 3 people trying to uncramp my calf muscles and stop them from twitching, ouch!

HARDEST 70.3 ever, but hey, I am in Las Vegas, I just competed in the world championship race, I competed with the best in the world, I didn't get last, I helped people along the way, I probably ought to win the miss congeniality award and the most photogenic based off of cheering for everyone while running and smiling at every cameraman. I did it, I pushed myself to keep going when the going got tough, I was inspired by everyone there, I smiled through the hardest parts and I laughed at the pain/crazy weather. 6 hours later, I am severely sunburnt and my body is much worse for wear, but I couldn't be happier with toughing it out or feel more loved by my wonderful family and awesome friends, so glad to be a part of the Wolfpack and so so so grateful to be able to represent the USA at a world wide event. This is the first time, but there will be many more to come. I learned so much from this, and I am totally ready to finish my last two races these season and step it up next year  Now, time to live it up in LAS VEGAS!!!!

Looking Back

Less than one year ago, I qualified for the 70.3 world championships in Las Vegas. It is hard to believe that race is just over a week away. Taking a moment to appreciate how much has happened between now and then...I traveled to Orlando, Tempe, France, Panama, Milwaukee, Benton Harbor, Kalamazoo, Port St. Lucie, Key West, and West Palm Beach for races, made incredible new friends to include the wolfpack, completed my first ironman, qualified for Team USA, spent tons of time training with friends in the Miami area, and just lived life to the fullest. I've learned so much about myself through this journey and I can't thank the people who inspire and support me enough. Only 2 months left on my first legitimate triathlon season, 3 races to go! Then I have to start training to beat Kevin's 11:40 ironman time...

USAT National Championships

Where to begin...this last week was by far one of the best weeks ever. It was the first time my dad, brother, and sister were able to see me compete in a triathlon, I got to spend time with my puppy, placed 2nd at Steelhead 70.3 in my age group, challenged myself to compete in 3 races within the span of a week, finally got to see the Wolfpack in action and race with my amazing teammates/see several of them qualify and PR, was able to dedicate an entire week to spending time with my family, and on top of it all...despite truly fearing doing the sprint triathlon the day after the olympic at the USAT AG National Champs, I managed to get over my fears to place 4th in my age group and secured a spot on Team USA for the World Championships next year in Canada. It is incredible when dreams come true, but even more so when you can share those moments with the best family anyone could ever ask for and the most wonderful teammates on the planet. I am so grateful and thankful for having such incredible supporters and sponsors. Thanks to everyone who kept me smiling every minute of this week Love you all!!