Just a Mom Who TRI's: Ironman Arizona & my story.

Many of you already know my triathlon story but it began at Ironman Arizona on Sunday November 21, 2010. It was the day that I stood on the sidelines watching my brother complete his first Ironman. I didn't even really know what an Ironman was, in my mind it was "just a LONG ASS race." (2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike, followed by a 26.2 mile run) I volunteered that day at a water station called "bike aid." It was at that station that I got a real sense of what triathlon was all about. You see most people volunteer at Ironman Arizona to get priority registration for the following year and they are all die-hard triathletes. Many of the volunteers didn't really understand why I was there and but I told them it was to support my brother who was racing. They also couldn't believe that I really knew nothing about triathlon. After a quick lesson on how to hand off water bottles to cyclists traveling at their "slowing down" speed of 10-12 miles per hour, I was off. It didn't take long to feel the energy of Ironman!

It drizzled that day. We made rain ponchos out of water bottle packaging. I know I look ridiculous.

After my volunteer shift was over I met up with the rest of the family at the finishline. This my friends is where the magic happens! From the excitement of Mike Reilly's voice, to the music, to the screams and thundering cheers, one can't help but become inspired. It was there that I saw the athletes coming in one by one. They all looked beat down those last 100 yards but as soon as the archway came into view those tired bodies picked up speed, exhausted faces turned to smiles, and as they crossed the finish those smiles turned to tears of joy. It was at that moment I became envious. Something inside of me longed to feel what they were feeling at that moment. Something inside of me said; "do a triathlon." I laughed at the idea as I didn't even know how to swim freestyle.

But I knew I had to change something about my life. I had two young boys and I wasn't feeling like myself. I was still battling anxiety and post partum depression. On a daily basis I had severe doubts about motherhood. I may have looked perfect and put together on the outside, but on the inside I was mentally breaking down.

The day after Ironman Arizona I made a commitment to search for a local sprint triathlon and to sign up for it. I kept with my promise and started months of training. During the training something wonderful was happening, I was feeling normal. I was sleeping better at night and much more relaxed as a mom. The day I crossed my first finishline I felt a rush of emotions, perhaps like the emotions the Ironman athletes had felt. It was at that moment triathlon had sucked me in.

Look at all those spectators!

So exactly 5 years from the day I stood on the sidelines, I will race Ironman Arizona for the first time. In the back of my mind I have considered doing a full Ironman. However my negative thoughts and doubts about myself would always make me shy away. This year when I saw that I could register and race for charity, it was almost like a calling. I have decided to stop all the negative thoughts because I'm racing for charity and if anything can keep me motivated it's the thought of helping others. My goal is to raise $4000 for the Ironman Foundation.

Ironman Foundation is a non-profit charity that gives back to the community where the Ironman events are held. So for example you donate to my fund and those funds then get dispersed locally. That money is going right back into the communities surrounding Tempe, Phoenix and outlying areas. Here is a recent article about the money that was raised for this year's Ironman Arizona.

On November 15, 2015 I'll be toeing the line with 3000 other friends. Some have said just getting there is the toughest part. It will be a long journey over the next 12 months but I intend to keep my head up, my mind clear, and my heart set on raising as much money as I can for this charity.

If you feel inclined to give to my charity, you may do so here: Crowdrise Ironman Foundation Fund

Thank you.