Who What Why

Good morning!  As promised, today I will give you the low down, in a who what why form.


Let's start with the Who:
A couple of months ago, I was welcomed onto a staff full of athletic, enthusiastic, and motivated individuals who put on the amazing event in Grand Rapids known as the Grand Rapids Marathon.
http://grandrapidsmarathon.com
Besides having the time of my life, learning loads and meeting some amazing people, I also made connections in the running community that will continue to play instrumental roles in my athletic career for years to come. Which comes to my next step in this crazy adventure, flash forward to a few weeks after the marathon and  I'm doing Sunday runs with a group of the staff and their friends, running 11 miles at 8am, something I didn't even know I needed until it happened, and which will play a crucial role in my training process. I kid you not, praise the Lord I found these people,  I don't know if you have ever had to do a long run on Sunday by yourself, but let's just say doing it with a group of 10 or more people makes for a lot more motivating run.  Often when I run over 4 miles by myself I find a body-mind battle happening.

MIND: "What in the ever loving heck are you doing, STOP, STOP, STOP, ow, STOP." 

BODY: "If you insist I could, or maybe just a little more?" 

MIND: "NO, STOP"

BODY:"Yeah okay, you're right, I'll stop." 

For some reason when you run with a group you let them decide, instead of your internal demons, those mother truckers. Okay moving on. Sooo the Sunday runs were going great!...


Then the holidays happened. I traveled, I ate, I ate, and I ate more (cream cheese dips curse you!), and I participated in weddings, family reunions, and..yes, sleeping in. In my defense (no excuses) I am recovering from a hip injury that won't seem to heal; so missing a few Sunday runs was probably what my body needed to recuperate for what's ahead, which is no small feat. (BTW I'm a firm believer on letting your body heal for a few weeks in order to save yourself for life.)  That's when I started talking to one of my friends Kyle, who has participated in a few Triathlons, he enjoys running and being crazy (crazies unite!).   Soon I was convinced, I must do this thing. That leads me to the what.


The What:
So naturally I had to find and participate in a Triathlon.  After my experience with the Grand Rapids Marathon, I knew I wanted my first TRI to be in my favorite city, so it was decided I would sign up for the 2016 Grand Rapids Triathlon which is to be held on June, 12.... And let the countdown begin.


The Why:
Simple really.  Dream it, sign up for it, do it.  It may be one of the craziest, and let's be honest most expensive hobbies I've decided on a whim to participate in, but I dreamt it, and this crazy girl chases her dreams. Thanks to my wonderful family, friends,  and most adorable husband, the support for these hobbies appears to never be lacking in the most fabulous of fan bases.
Let the games begin!


Hey! My first photo. Which will aptly be named "Fan Club," who also decided they would support me in life as well as my athletic adventures.  Also a pic of my super adorable husand who had just commited to helping me pay for a lifetime of events, runs, triathlons etc. precicely 10 minutes prior to this pic.



My first adventure with the running group this fall!  That's me on the end, grey pants.