My Favorite Thing

My Favorite Thing

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With 2014 well underway, a post to kick off the new year is long overdue!  2013 is now in the rearview mirror, and there are no more could haves, should haves, or would haves.  While lessons were learned and fitness was gained, I am happy to say goodbye to 2013 and welcome in a new year that I KNOW is going to be filled with exciting experiences and adventures.  It already has, and it’s only March!  Since it’s been quite a long time in between posts, I thought I would just recap some highlights to date…

I think I should start off by recognizing the sponsors who are supporting me on my journey so far.  First and foremost, a huge thank you to my title sponsor, Summit Orthopedics, for wanting to partner with me a second year.  I was so flattered when this group approached me a year ago as a potential sponsor.  They didn’t just believe in me and my potential as an athlete, but also in my story and how I could inspire and motivate others.  Having not much to go on other than my passion and my dreams, they wanted to get on board.  Although last year wasn’t the year I was hoping for, they haven’t stop believing and are excited to see what this year has in store.  I truly am grateful for their support and I hope to make them proud!

I’m sure I speak for most of us when I say that no matter how much snot is dripping from your nose, how much gu is lingering around your lips or how much pain you are in when you’re racing, as long as the kit you are wearing is comfortable AND fashionable then it’s still possible to muster a smile for your race photo.  And if the word “COEUR” (which is french for heart and the root word for courage) happens to be across your chest, then you no doubt will be outfitted in one of the most stylish kits out there.  Not only that, but you have a constant reminder of what this is all about, HEART and COURAGE!  So when I was fortunate enough to be selected as an ambassador for this company I was thrilled!  I not only get lots of cool gear to workout in or lounge around in, but I also get to be part of such a talented and passionate group of women who embody what COEUR stands for…digging deep, being mentally tough, giving back to the community….all with HEART!

And where fashion meets function in the world of helmets and sunglasses, you have Rudy Project.  Since I’ve been doing triathlons I’ve always worn Rudy helmets and glasses for their wide selection and comfort.  The helmet matches the glasses which matches the bike which matches the kit, well you get the picture:)  So I was excited and honored to have Rudy as my first official product sponsor for 2014 and beyond!

I recently had an opportunity to give back to the community by participating in the Bay Area Cycle Challenge to benefit the Challenged Athletes Foundation, put on by our own MBK.  This event was held at our indoor cycling studio in San Francisco, and we celebrated the CAF athletes by cycling for 4 hours and raising money for CAF.  This being my first year to participate in the event, I had no idea how inspirational and touching it would be.  There was one incredible story after another, and I couldn’t think of a better way to kick off the 2014 season!  Talk about heart and courage…those athletes were bursting with it!  What was so special to me was that for those 4 hours we could all share in our love for the sport, no matter our ability or challenges.  That is what it’s all about!!

Sweating to the oldies…or more like Top 20 thanks to MBK!

Sweating to the oldies…or more like Top 20 thanks to MBK!

And then there was Oceanside on March 29.  This was a pretty big milestone for me, both mentally and physically.  For me, Oceanside was a race to not only dust off the cobwebs, but also give me the opportunity to reward myself for the hard work I had put in since coming back from two significant injuries last season.  This time last year I was fresh off of a great training camp in Kona, and then I was hit with my first injury, not allowing me to race until July.  With a couple races completed after that, a broken foot ended my season a bit earlier than planned.  It wasn’t until I was back training pain free, that I realized what an impact those injuries had on me mentally and on my confidence.  I may have raced a few times last year, but my head was never really in the game because the pain was still lingering.  I always questioned myself as to whether I should really be toeing the line or not.  I just had the mentality of “well I’ll just see what I can do.”  I was anticipating the pain I would endure and dreading the pain that would come at the end.  Not a way to set yourself up for success!  But that has all changed.  I am now confident in my ability as an athlete and excited to see where this year will take me.  I approached Oceanside with a new found love and excitement for what I am doing.  I was practically busting at the seams to get out there and race!  I was pleased with my results…1st AG, 2nd overall amateur and 13th overall female, but I was more pleased with the fact that I crossed the finish line and confirmed that I love what I’m doing and the journey I’m on.  I have been given a platform to express my individuality and pursue a passion that I believe has always been inside of me.   A bit of advice I heard from Jesse Thomas was that you have to fall in love with the whole process, and celebrate each small victory along the way, not just be focused on where you want to end up.  That is what I will be doing this year, and Oceanside was just the beginning!

Sporting Coeur & Rudy Project in Oceanside

Sporting Coeur & Rudy Project in Oceanside

Thanks for reading and I hope that you let yourself go places you’ve never been!!

Posted on April 10th, 2014.

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