Making the Team: 2008 Team Evotri

My Making the Team Evotri application is coming together. I will post the complete video on Friday, after we finish it. Until then, here are some words I've written for it.

By Monday, the 10 finalists will be announced!

Regardless of whether I am a finalist, I'm having a great time watching other's videos on You Tube (search for "Evotri" or "Evo Tri" or "Making the Team") and I'm really happy for all of the positive exposure the sport will be getting. I just hope the normal people watching on You Tube don't think we are all completely crazy!

Also, I just want to say thanks to my AWESOME TRIgirl teammates for the nomination. I get so much of my inspiration from YOU. More than you know....
Here goes:

I will benefit team Evotri by inspiring everyday people to try the sport of triathlon. Many people are intrigued by the sport, but think that they can't participate because they don't think of themselves as athletic, strong or fast. I can show them that anyone can do this sport. All it takes is a desire, inspiration and training.



I am drawn to the spirit of the sport. Facing adversity, triathletes find a way to succeed. All of us have challenges we have to overcome to get to the finish line. Asthma, injuries, extra pounds, or even everyday responsibilities to work and family are all things that we constantly manage. But the payoff when you overcome those things is tremendous.


When they see how much fun I have, and that you don't have to be skinny or particularly fast to enjoy racing, I hope that they are inspired. There is something special about the triathlon community. I love the culture, feeling like I'm part of a group, and the sense of commitment to helping others achieve their goals.



If I am selected for Team Evotri, I will use what I learn to provide training clinics my local triathlon community. I will continue to blog about my experiences as a triathlete and provide race reports. I will use the knowledge and training that team Evotri offers, to take my training to the next level, but also to spread the knowledge with folks new to the sport. When I'm not racing at an event, then I'm there helping out. When you see me a familiar face volunteering at packet pickup and body marking it helps ease pre-race anxiety.



When you don't look like everyone else, and maybe you're even here for a different reason, it is so, so important to feel, I belong here, because really, anyone who can and wants to tri, belongs.



At TRIgirl Training, my all-women's triathlon team, our focus is on having fun, being fit, and giving back. Last year, as a volunteer team leader, I helped to raise over $2,000 for Safe Harbor House, a shelter for women and their children, who are victims of domestic abuse. And helped mentor over 90 women -- 40 of whom were racing in their first triathlon. There is nothing quite so rewarding as helping someone compete in their first race and watching them cross that finish line.



I love triathlons because they dare to push you to your limits, and somehow you find a way to keep on going. You find that you are stronger than you knew. This is why I tri. Each race can be a condensed version of life -- full of joys, but also sometimes frustrations. I am my best self when I am training hard. Racing reminds me why I have been inspired. Triathlons help me be my best self.

Most importantly, I tri because I want to set a good example for my kids. I grew up in a family where adults didn't exercise. I want my children to have a role model who emphasizes how important exercise is. Also, I want them to know, that when things get hard, they will find they are stronger than they think, and they can persevere. To show them the challenge of working for a long time towards a goal, and seeing it through, despite what life throws our way. and to find the inspiration you gain from watching someone find the strength to do what they thought they couldn't.