GOTRIbal + Other Adventures

I have always had a core group of girl friends, (my Peas in a Pod - what whaaat) but while training, I tend to train with the guys. There's really no reason why, that's just the way it went. Things are changing now, and I am definitely getting in on the Girl POwer bandwagon. Trina, Bolly, and Sonny (all nicknames, obviously) are some tough ladies that I love to train with.

.... I know there was a point to why I was writing that.. but I tried typing this bad boy with Pandora on, and I really can not think and listening to music at the same time.

.... Anyways, the point that I so flawlessly am trying to get across is that I'm really enjoying new training partners, and new opportunities to train with other female endurance athletes. Tanya, this bitchin' triathlete, and founder of GOTRIbal approached me last year and asked if I wanted to host a meet up for her and other GOTRIbal athletes. I was like, sure?! I really did not know much about GOTRIbal, but Tanya has this amazing attitude about endurance sports and empowering women, so I agreed to it. It turned out to be fun.... but also really uncomfortable. I was supposed to sit and talk to other triathletes...about me! It became evident that "awkward" is my middle name, but somehow I left the meeting with some cool new friends. Some girls were doing their first sprint triathlon, some were moms who wanted to train when they had the time, everyone had their unique story. What was just SO freakin' weird to me was that they WANTED to hear my story, and they were inspired by me!

Tanya and Marison (aka Sonny) gave me another opportunity to reach out to GOTRIbal athletes by allowing me to be on their athletes panel during their annual conference. To be honest, I was never really into female only teams, I thought it was kind of weird and fu fu-ish. Once you meet Tanya, you will know that this is the least fu-fu community, ever. It isn't a "girls just want to have fun!!!!!!!!!!!!!! oxoxoxoxoxxox peace, love, flower, ponies," team - it is legit endurance athletes. Chrissie Wellington is the chief ambassador and we all know she is a BAMF!!!!

The group was described to me as a place for women, serious about endurance sports. Not everyone has to be an elite athlete, but they have to be dedicated. Marison, who works with Tanya, is the absolute perfect example of that. Marison works her little booty off, and is not intimidated by who she is training with, or what type of workout she is facing. She just gets shit done! Trina and I are always like, damn! When training with her, because she doesn't complain, either! ( I may or may not be a huge baby and complain ... a lot ;) ). Well, Tanya and Marison have given me another opportunity to hang with the GOTRIbal chicas by making me an ambassador!! Check out the website (gotribalnow.com) and see what all of the hooplah is about! I'm honored to be an ambassador among so many other talented athletes...many who are named Kelly! haha.. but hopefully we can all meet and race in NZ...2013?!

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In other news, completely nonrelated, Oceanside is in ~1 week. I've been in bed sick for the past week, great!! After many frantic, tearful phone calls to Lesley, I think I should be fine for the race.. but it was such a bummer to miss all of this training. I am going bonkers now because I feel better, but have been ordered to NOT workout. Hopefully tomorrow I will feel fine after a light spin and can be back at it on Saturday.

That's all for now - I'm off to go watch the last bit of the torture session aka Les' brick workout and then grab a bday din with some of the crew!

I think I am the only 23 year old in the world who was dreading their birthday...mainly because next March 23rd I will be 24.. and that means aging up!!!!!!!!!!! (in IM years!)