Toughman NM- You better be tough

Toughman NM was one of the most mentally challenging races I have ever done. I felt like quitting so many times and the only reason I didn't was because my Grandma told me "You better win Lauren".  I guess the competitive spirit runs in the family. I suffered a flat tire as well as another more complicated bike mechanical(that was fixed with a pink hair tie) on the bike course.  The run was challenging especially with some cactus stuck in my foot but the feeling of finally making it down that ridiculous boat ramp is so rewarding.  Each race becomes just another training day after it is over with and this was one that was character building as well as physically challenging.  This race will hopefully make my next one seem a little less hilly,windy, and grueling.





My dad is such a good photographer he can make even
Cochiti Lake look serene and lovely.

I had the pleasure of meeting Angie Kandalaft at the beginning of my triathlon training days 4.5 years ago.  For some strange reason she believed in me and continued to encourage and provide me resources to continue training and racing triathlons in New Mexico.  She was also the person who suggested that I begin working with my coach Jaime who has also for some strange reason believed in me this whole time.  So when Angie told me she was producing a long distance race at Cochiti lake I was beyond excited.  I love an opportunity to race in New Mexico especially if it is a Chasing 3 race.  Thank you Angie for believing in me for almost 5 years now. I am so honored to be the champion of the Inaugural Toughman NM and am excited to be traveling to NYC this weekend representing Angie, Jaime, and everyone who raced Toughman NM. It was so truly inspiring to watch every single person cross that finish line.

So cool to break the tape!!!!

Beginning of season racing/training

So the beginning of my season didn't start out too well... I had stress fractures at the end of the season last year followed by a long bout of flu/sinus infection crap and before I knew it Christmas had come and went and it was January and I had done zero tri-specific training.  I had originally planned to go to Oceanside 70.3 in March when I decided I wasn't in very good shape and then suffered a pretty bad fall on the mountain bike that left me unable to train for 4-5 weeks.  I decided to do St. George 70.3 on very little training and just see how it went.  It didn't go very well.  It was the slowest time I have ever had at a 70.3 distance but the good news was I didn't have any pain from running and I was so pumped to start training again!!!

Finally, some motivation to train and race and do what I love to do had returned.  All it took was a proper ass kicking.  I spent so much time dwelling on how scared I was to race in the pro division and questioning my decision to move up and accept my pro card that I had forgotten how much I loved to race.  I had been racing locally and winning for so long that the jump up to a pro status seemed enormous and something I wasn't capable of.  The reality is you will never get faster if you don't race people faster than you.  So now I am a very small fish in a big pond of pros who are all my idols.  I know who they all are and I am so honored to toe the line with them at the start of these races even if they have no idea who I am.