Some of you may have read my post about my best triathlon experiences for 2013 and noticed that Chrissie Wellington is the athlete who has inspired me the most. I have had the AWESOME experience of meeting Chrissie twice in my life (so far)…I received my finisher’s medal from her at IRONMAN Kansas 70.3 in 2010 (my first every 70.3 distance race) and at USA Triathlon Olympic-distance Age Group National Championships in 2013. She is an amazing ambassador for the sport of triathlon!! What makes her a good ambassador????
- She is trustworthy, honest, follows the rules and is loyal to the sport of triathlon.
- She has respect for the sport of triathlon, her fellow professional athletes and the age group athletes that follow in her footsteps.
- She has ambition and drive to do and be her absolute best…full of self-control and self-discipline. She is accountable for her words, actions and attitude.
- She is open-minded and not afraid to take advice from others around her…always willing to learn and trying to grow as an athlete.
- She is compassionate and shows extreme gratitude…I experienced this first hand after IRONMAN Kansas 70.3 in 2010. I was waiting for a massage in the massage tent after the race. When it was my turn for a massage, Chrissie walked into the massage tent inquiring to the massage therapist about when she should come back to get a massage. She did NOT want to cut into the line of age group athletes that had been sitting and waiting in line. I gave her my spot in the massage line and she was UNBELIEVABLY grateful…and for the record, everyone behind me in line still let me get my massage. I was also very grateful!!
Chrissie and me in the massage tent after IRONMAN Kansas 70.3 in 2010!! - She has a vision, both for sport and for making the world a better place. She volunteers her time at races, supports charities she is passionate about and has a “pay it forward” demeanor about her.
- She sets goals and pushes her limits trying to achieve those goals…while training and racing.
- She lives life with a positive, “I CAN” attitude, even when faced with challenges…keeping a smile on her face and believing that she can overcome any obstacle in her path.
- She inspires many athletes just by being real. She does not try to hide the struggles she has gone through or struggles she is currently going through. She has shared her struggles with eating disorders, injuries, her coaches, other professional athletes, etc.
- After she crosses the finish line, she always returns to hand out medals to the age group athletes that follow in her footsteps…inspiring us, encouraging us and displaying her passion for triathlon.
In my opinion, Chrissie is an amazing ambassador for the sport of triathlon. What characteristics do you appreciate and look for in an ambassador?
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Week #13 (Recovery Week) Totals:
Swim: 4200 yards
Bike: 50.5 miles
Run: 21.9 miles
Strength Training: 2 hours
Hot Yoga: 1 hour
Week #13 in the green 😉
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March Totals:
Swim: 11.42 miles
Bike: 198.6 miles
Run: 86.62 miles
Brick: 141.15 miles (biking and running together)
Strength Training: 10 hours & 45 minutes
Hot Yoga: 8 hours
