the blog squad asks…

The blog squad is switching things up. This week, rather than all writing on the same topic, we went round robin, each of us asking someone else a question to answer on her blog. 

My question from Jen:

What was a pivotal moment for you in triathlon/as an athlete and how did it affect/change you from then on?

Ahh, such a tough question, Jen! I thought about it for quite a while – and talked about it with my sister during our road trip home-home. I can’t pinpoint exactly one moment – because it’s instead a few pivotal moments.

The first: my first (and only) open marathon in 2008. I don’t remember why I signed up for Grandma’s Marathon that year, but I did. And, that spring I checked off every single workout on the intermediate training plan I download from the race websbite. From hill sessions to speed work, I ran my way around Alexandria, determined to have a fast race. But, thanks to some unexpected hot + humid weather, a completely naïve me – race nutrition?! What’s that?! – and a serious bonk, I crossed the finish line in 4:49. My dreams: crushed. The takeaways: many – including a belief that with hard work, consistency and determination, I was capable of anything I put my mind to.

The second: meeting Nick in 2011. There’s no question. If I hadn’t met Nick, I don’t know that I would have ever had the courage to line up on my first triathlon start line. When we met at a stoplight in Saint Paul on separate bike rides, he was training for his first 140.6. I was in awe – because I had always thought doing one would be incredible. I just didn’t know how to get started. He showed me the way, and most importantly, he believed in me when I didn’t believe in myself.

The third: somewhere in the middle of my first 140.6 in 2013. I don’t remember if it was while swimming in Alta Lake or biking the Sea to Sky Highway, but at some point during IRONMAN Canada I knew that it wouldn’t just be something I check off my bucket list. I’d found my thing – the thing that lights you up, teaches you to be comfortable with the uncomfortable, the power of hard work. And, I’ve continued to chase the light ever since.

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Be sure to check out the Q+A from the entire blog squad – Caitlin, Christine, Elizabeth, Hailey, Jen, Laurel and Liz! 

What about you? What was your pivotal moment and how did it change you?