 |
This doesn't pertain to the blog but it's Gus with his head
stuck in an ice cream container lol |
Last year around this time I went to the Marquee Triathlon in Tempe, Az with some of my Black Dog teammates. Marcos, Bryan, and Noelle are all amazing people as well as badass Ironman finishers but I had no idea just how badass they really were until after a 6 hour car ride and a few laps around the Dairy Queen in Winslow. What is so amazing about Bryan and Marcos both is that they lost a ton of weight and are now top in their age groups and continue to inspire others everyday. Bryan is a coach for Team in Training and is always either donating his time and abilities to them or his Black Dog Teammates. Listening to Marcos tell his incredible life change/weightloss story is also super motivating. The dynamic between us was fun and light and we joked around and talked crap to each other pretty much the whole way there but when I expressed that I was nervous to race especially because I was coming off an injury the whole mood in the car changed. Both guys got serious on me and told me "Lauren, you can do it." Man, these guys got deep on me!!! They told me I was young and had talent and could do whatever I wanted. What fabulous compliments!!!!! Noelle is another Black Dog teammate of mine who is an all around bad ass. She is a mother, grandmother, occupational therapist, and Ironman triathlete who is probably the sweetest lady I have ever met. I am always happy to see her and she is always too kind and offering to help with anything she can. These guys are awesome and hilarious and I don't think they have any idea how much they affected me and really lit a fire under me for the season during this trip with their words of encouragement.
I am writing about this in my blog because this past week a friend who I have known a long time came into the salon to get her hair done. She has been training to do some local sprint triathlons and is really enjoying it. She seriously almost made me cry when she told me she read my blog and had it saved in her favorites on her iphone. She told me she really enjoyed reading it and requested that I put a little more about what really motivates me in here. Shoot, she just motivated the heck out of me!!!!!! But after thinking on it what really motivates me is hearing everyone else's stories. I love hearing about everyone else's training and life goals and how they do what they do because the road is different for everybody and it is so fun hearing about other people's adventures!!
 |
| Spring Break with Coach Jaime and Sue Alschuler at Seven Falls |
This past Spring break I spent in Tucson with awesome people and my coach Jaime training in the sunshine and relaxing by the pool!! Life. is. good. It was the best week of 2013 yet!!! No distractions or school or work or horrible Spring winds and freezing Albuquerque weather. I stayed with my girl Sue who can really cook too! You guys know how I love food and wine and we definitely put a dent into that wine stash! When I returned home I felt refreshed and excited to train by myself and get the ball rolling on this season already. Marquee was my first race of last year and will be my first race for this year too. I feel I have come a long way as an athlete since last Marquee and cant wait to race again. (19 days but who is counting) I have been feeling great and loving the speed workout and hill repeats that I missed so much over the Winter months. Sorry this blog post was kinda sappy but sometimes you just gotta share the love. Next blog post will be more exciting I promise! More recipes and hopefully a stellar race report coming soon!!!!! any suggestions send me my way k:) happy training!
