2011 was pretty epic

2011 was a big year for me personally and Tough Chik as a company.

In 2011 Tough Chik -

Expoed at the Carlsbad Marathon, Carlsbad 5000, Sea Otter Classic, Iron Girl Las Vegas, Whiskey Off Road (first event in AZ), TriRock San Diego, Folsom Cyclebration, Long Beach Marathon, SheRox San Diego, Women’s Magazine Half Marathon and El Tour de Tucson!

We started Team Tough Chik, thanks to the help of Angela (who I could have not done this without) and as of right now we have 83 members from 5 countries!

We released our first Tri Kit and it was eloquently reviewed by Jen!

Our “I Run” shirt graced the pages of Runner’s World, with thanks to our very our Fastinista, Tonia and 2 of her daughters!

And for me-

I rode 545 miles from San Francisco to LA in 7 days and raised over $10,000 for AIDS patients with the help of my team!

HALF WAY TO LA

I raced in my first triathlon

MISSION BAY TRI

and my second

SHEROX TRI

AND I got back on my mt. bike!  Which is pretty huge since I have been very skittish since my accident to get on my mt bike.  My husband even built this bike up for me just so I would get out there again.  I ran out of races that I couldn’t be injured for, and so far so good.  No single track yet, but I have high hopes for 2012.

KERMIE'S 1ST RIDE

2012 has potential to be pretty ground breaking!  We are going to have over 80 women racing as Team Tough Chik.  We are invading launching the East Coast market with Tonia as our East Coast Event Manager (or as I call her, Lt. Awesomesauce).  And I have some pretty big product releases up my sleeve!  I couldn’t have done ANY of this without the help of some very amazing people!

1) My husband – He is my rock and my cheerleader.  He keeps a roof over my head, food in my belly and a bike under my bum while I follow my dream of making cute and tough women’s performance apparel.  He is pretty much a rock star and absolutely none of this would exist if it wasn’t for him believing in me.

2) My mom (aka – Tough Old Bird) She has made me the women I am today.  Between her and my grandmother, I wouldn’t be nearly this tough

3) My Bestie (Molly) – She has given up many weekends to sit in a cold tent and sell t-shirts and cycling jerseys for nothing more than a big cup of coffee and hugs.  When she isn’t working for Tough Chik, she is watching my baby (Cosmo – he is a dog, I didn’t name a child Cosmo).  She is also a great cheerleader and a never ending supply of encouragement.  I LOVE YOU!!

4) Angela – Team Tough Chik Co-Captain and my right hand gal.  As you will see over the next year, Angela is one big ball of excitement and spunk!  She is the epitome of a go-getter and a great gal.  We are going to have a blast together and I am so happy you sent me that email!

5) Tonia – Speaking of go-getters…Tonia, My East Coast Toughie is bringing the Tough Love to the East Coast.  She is going to rock it in 2012 and I am so happy to have her on board!

6) Jen – I think Jen at Miles, Muscles & Mommyhood single handedly doubled my FB followers in 2011!  Plus I have a huge group on Toughies in Maine and I can only attribute that to Jen!  She also helped me through my triathlon training with some pretty silly questions.  I know that Rev3 has her muscles for the 2012 season, but Tough Chik has her heart!

7) Toughies everywhere – Thank you for making 2011 epic and here is to 2012!  I am so luck to be surrounded by an amazing group of women from all over the world.  YOU are what TOUGH looks like.

XOXOXO,

Shannon

the original Tough Chik

Meet Team Tough Chik Members – Carmen and Rene’

CARMEN

Name: Carmen

Location: Galesburg, IL

Sport of Choice: Running

Other Hobbies: Anything fitness or music related

2012 Race Plans: nothing set in stone yet.  Definitely at least 1 1/2 & a full marathon, also an ultra.  Several 5k’s sprinkled in there.

What Makes you a Tough Chik: have given birth & lay claim to 6 children ranging in age from 16 – 4.  I am busy!  But I always have time to run!  I have run 36 miles in 8 hours and constantly want to improve on that number.

Blog URL: sherunseverywhere95.blogspot.com/

Fun Fact: I have never followed a training plan, yet I have run a half & full marathon & a few ultras.

Rene'

Name: Rene’

Location: New Hampshire

Sport of Choice: Running

Other Hobbies: Reading, Taking care of 4 kiddos

2012 Race Plans: Half at the Hamptons 2/19, Great Bay Half Marathon 4/7, Providence Rock N Roll Half Marathon 8/19 and some fun 5K’s and 10K’s in my area.  Also eyeing my first sprint tri, but I am really nervous to get on my bike YIKES!!!

What make you a Tough Chik: This is a tough question for me because I don’t even know if I am a tough chik.  I am a stay at home mom of 4 kids and a few years ago I definitely hit that feeling of “what am I doing here? and what do I want to do?”  I needed something for myself that did not constantly involve my husband and my kids.  I decided to really start running and trained for the Worcester Half Marathon.  Along the way I found myself, found a great group of ladies that I now run with (my running besties) and reconnected with other friends because my neediness was gone.  I finally had found my way.

Blog URL: theamherstshuffle.blogspot.com/

Fun Fact: I used to be an adolescent health nurse and my patients thought that I was very cool.  (I was super young).  The other day I reminded my 11 year old daughter of that fact to which she replied….”Mom that was a long time ago:)”

The great arm warmer debate

A few nights ago I posted this photo on the Tough Chik FB page and asked…

Arm warmers with a sleeveless shirt, cute or goofy?  I got an overwhelming positive response.  Most of you thought it was cute.

A little background, I am a cyclist first.  Sure, I run and compete in triathlons (and LOVE it) but if you give me a few free hours, I am going to pick my road bike every single time.  To be fair, I have been riding a lot longer than I have been running or swimming and I am a much stronger cyclist than runner or swimmer.

Most roadies (slang for road cyclist if my granny is reading) wear short sleeve jerseys.  In fact, I have read rules for bike races stating that your jersey must have sleeves.  Most roadies also have chicken wings for arms, so it is probably for the best.  Arm warmers have been worn by cyclist forever and it seem lately that runner and triathletes are adopting them as well.  For a cyclist, when you wear them, you are wearing them with a short sleeve jersey.

So, your shoulder is covered.  I never really considered wearing arm warmers with anything but a short sleeve cycling jersey.  And I love arm warmers, they are the cyclist version of knee socks.  I have them in many colors and was über excited when I final got my Tough Chik arm warmers produced.  I decided to go with the gray check to match the pocket of the Tough Chik cycling jersey and pink check which would match the pink TC jersey AND the running tank.

The other night I put on my running singlet and decided to see how the arm warmers would look with it.  It is one of those looks that see on other people and think it is cute and fun, BUT you aren’t quite sure if YOU can pull it off.

So, I turned to my husband (first mistake) and asked if he thought it was cute or goofy.  He is very honest.  He looked at me and said, “won’t your shoulders be cold, that doesn’t make sense.”  I made him take a photo and I asked you and you guys loved it, for the most part.

A big thank you to all of you who responded!  I now feel confident wearing arm warmers with short sleeves and no sleeves.  Next I am going to try the grey check arm warmer with the tri top!

Do you wear arm warmers?  Do you wear them with a sleeveless top?

Do you get the cold shoulder?

Meet Team Tough Chik Members – Jess and Jenna

Jess

Name: Jess

Location: Peoria, IL

Sport of Choice: Running

Other Hobbies: graphic design, reading and blogging of course!

2012 Race Plans: Myrtle Beach Half (Feb), a bunch of Halfs in the spring and hopefully the Madison-Chicago Ragnar Ultra in June!

What makes you a Tough Chik: As I challenge myself to take on new adventures, I’m amazed at the happiness it’s brought to my life!  Nothing can hold me back from getting my run on!

Blog URL: www.runwithjess.com

Fun Fact: I completed my first marathon in 2011.  I have two adorable little runner girls, age 3 and 5.

 

Jenna

Name: Jenna

Location: Johnson City, Tennessee

Sport of Choice: Triathlon, Running

Other Hobbies: Reading, Shopping, Traveling

2012 Race Plans: Ironman Louisville 2012, Boston Marathon, Rev 3, and Sacramento International Marathon

What make you a Tough Chik: When I was a graduate student, I ran my first 5k with my friend Amy. I remember thinking I had conquered the world. I fell in love with running. A few seemingly short months later, she challenged me to run a half marathon with her. After my first half, I was officially hooked on endurance sports. I gradually worked my way into the marathon circuit and became even more addicted. In August of 2010, I watched my first Ironman race. I was mesmerized by those athletes. Without even completing a sprint tri, I decided that the following year, I too would become an Ironman. In August of 2011, I achieved my dream. I am by no means fast at any of the disciplines. I have had a bone mass removed from behind my right knee. I was not supposed to be able to participate in competitive sports; but as the Ironman motto states, “Anything is possible.” I am a firm believer in that. If an average person like me can achieve their dreams, so can anyone out there. I want to be that person that encourages you to go for it!  What makes me a Tough Chik is perseverance and determination. I look forward to meeting all of you and working as your teammate!

Blog URL: http://triumphwitheffort.blogspot.com/

Fun Fact: I signed up for an Ironman without completing even a Sprint Tri.

Angela’s Call To The Cyclists Out There: “Come Play With Me”

Here is my plea to the cyclists out there who havent joined yet. Imagine me as a 4th grade school girl, with a grass stain on my jeans, and mud in my hair because I have been playing soccer at recess with the boys, because none of the other girls want to play any sports… so im stuck with the boys. Imagine me looking over at the other little girls sitting together with their hair in curls, in their pretty dresses. I just want some other girls to play with. 

Fellow Team Tough Chik Lauren is really more of a roadie, but I got her on dirt last year! We are overlooking Big Bear Lake!

Well imagine me now. Im on this awesome team, Team Tough Chik, and I love it. I am surrounded by women from across not only the US, but also Toughies from Australia, South Africa, Canada, etc!!! If we were all in the same room, only a handful of us would be cyclists. Sure we have the Triathletes mixed in the process, but right now the majority of the ladies on our amazing team consists of runners! Don’t get me wrong, I love runners, in fact I run… but I love my bike even more than my running shoes.

So here I am looking for a few good women to join us, some biker chiks, cause I want some friends to play with Shannon and I are getting so excited about the upcoming Tour de Palm Springs, and it would be great to have some fellow Toughies out there to join us on one of the rides. So here it is ladies who ride bikes, you dont have to be a hard core racer to join the team. 

If you are someone who enjoys charity rides, or centuries, Team Tough Chik is for you! 

If you are a uber beginner and are just thinking about doing your first road race, mountain bike race or cycle cross race, Team Tough Chik is for you.

My first mountain bike race resulted in me getting off my bike quite a few times to go down technical sections, and my first road race (crit) had me dusted in the first lap only to get pulled. I loved these first races… even though I didnt podium, or win, I had fun, and did my best. And since then, heck Ive gotten a lot better!!! Its all about growth, and having fun. As I tell many little kids when they are first starting to ski, or ride their bike, I say the most important rule is if your not smiling, your not doing it right. So dont feel like you have to be a hard core cyclist to join. We embrace the beginner. Heck were getting ready to do a basic bike maintenance clinic, and some future group rides in the mix.

Ladies only bike rides are the best!

So I invite you ladies who love to ride, but who may be a bit timid or nervous about racing, to give us a shot. I want some cyclist friends to play with. I have a ton of triathlete and runner ladies to have fun with, now im looking for the ladies that know what keeping the rubber side down means. The ladies that understand what I mean when I say “two wheels, one love,” the ladies who feel their mood pick up when they clip into their pedals. Im talking to you!

 Join me, join Shannon, and join the over 55 other TOUGH women who have joined the team. I am so excited to see what this next year brings, and to meet you ladies. I cant wait for the moment when a Toughie is crossing a finish line to be greeted by her team mate, to be cheered on, and to even finish with a fellow Tough Chik.

This is going to be a great year.

Join us.

Because this is what Tough Looks Like.

 

 

“Toughie from Down Under” – JESS

I received another inspirational email yesterday.  This is really the BEST part of my job!  This time I got the message from our very own “Toughie from Down Under”, JESS!  She is an amazing person and I am super-duper happy she is on our team!

I wanted to send my photo in and tell a little bit of a story

Basically, the short version is…
I was an elite swimmer when I was younger. When I missed Olympic trials, I quit. I didn’t know what else to do, and I wasn’t waiting another four years… And you know what happens to athletes when the drop the sport fast.
They get fat.

And dear god… did I get fat.
I went off to uni and basically drank my body weight in beer every Thursday night… I got to about 125kg before enough was enough.

I lost 30kg very quickly. Too quickly, in fact.
12 months after I decided that I needed to make a change, I was in hospital with pancreatitis. I had been sick for more than 2 months, not knowing what was going on.
I was in constant pain. I could not eat. I couldn’t drink without having violent cramps.

The doctor told me I just had gallstones. Eventually, I was sent to the emergency department.

The things I remember from the hospital… are a little bit strange.
The triage nurse asked me what my pain level was, I said 8. As in, it can definitely be worse, but I’m in a bit of trouble here.
I remember a nurse telling me I was about to have an out of body experience, and then injecting me with morphine… it was the best I felt in MONTHS. The pain disappeared immediately. I still had no idea what was wrong with me.
When the doctor confirmed that I DID have pancreatitis, he looked at the triage nurses notes and says to me “8? Is that all? Girl, that’s at least a 12, you nearly killed yourself being too tough. You’re not going to have a problem having children, because this is the worst pain you will experience in your LIFE”

I was in hospital for two weeks. I was not allowed to eat or drink. Every 24 hours they would bring me an ice cube and some lip balm. I have never craved a drink so much in my life. I was on my own in there all day, just watching bad daytime TV.
I can’t remember what shows I watched, but I do remember a gatorade advertisement.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JgStAPQhA3M
I saw this (I’m sure) 500 times.
All I talked about when I left the hospital was “I am going to do that one day. I am going to be an Ironman”.

Now I am not a runner. I have a mountain bike, but I’ve never really “cycled” before.
And I entered my first triathlon.

It was Triathlon Pink, a charity thing for Ramsay Healthcare. 300m swim, 9km bike and a 3km run.

Now I am not an Ironman. Yet. I have done my first half Ironman. And I tell you what, I am slow.

I am still 20kg overweight. I have not been able to lose a kilo since I was sick in 2009, because of the lasting effects of the pancreatitis. I have done a lot of damage to my body, which we are still sorting out.

But I will do it.
In December of 2013, I will race IMWA.

In my tough chik gear.

Cos that’s what I am!

<3 you guys.

Jess.

Aussie Tough Chik

It is not too late to join Jess and our 53 other Team Tough Chik members!  The deadline is January 1st and it will be here before we know it!  You can learn more at TEAM TOUGH CHIK and please feel free to email us at team@toughchik.com with any questions!

Thank you Jessica for you inspirational email and we are happy to support you in your Ironman training!

If you have a story that you would like to share, please email it to shannon@toughchik.com!  We love hearing from you.

Meet Team Tough Chik Members – Karien and Tonia

THE DEADLINE TO JOIN TEAM TOUGH CHIK IS 12 DAYS AWAY!  IF YOU WANT TO JOIN THESE AMAZING WOMEN, ACT NOW!!

KARIEN

Name: Karien

Location: Bloemfontein, South Africa

Sport of Choice: I heart running!

Other Hobbies: Writing, traveling and reading.

2012 Race Plans: First post-partum race: Knysna Forest Half Marathon in July 2012!

What makes you a Tough Chik: Living my passion, one run at a time.

Blog URL: www.runningtherace.co.za

Fun Fact: I get WAY too excited about race medals and goody bags !.

TONIA

Name: Tonia

Location: Glen Allen, VA

Sport of Choice: Running and Triathlon

Other Hobbies: Cupcakes. Wait, that’s not a hobby. That’s a food. Seriously, though, I love being crafty, playing soccer and eating. I wasn’t kidding about the cupcakes.

2012 Race Plans: Hopefully, some local 5Ks,10Ks and Sprint Tris. But right now, I’m registered for Disney Princess Half Marathon – 2.26, Ironman 70.3 Texas – 4.1, Rock N Roll Providence – 8.19, Seaside Half Marathon – 10.14

What make you a Tough Chik: I’m sure that some people might say that I “look tough.” And that’s probably true. I feel like I could hold my own if I had to. But, I think what really makes me a Tough Chik is my fighting spirit and determination. I know that I can accomplish anything that I want to with enough hard work and perseverance. I won’t let obstacles get in my way. I know that the only thing that can hold me back is myself and I won’t let that happen. A Tough Chik is strong, mentally and physically. And I strive to show that strength in everything I do.

Blog URL: racingwithbabes.blogspot.com

Fun Fact: I can tie a cherry stem into a knot with my tongue.

Meet Team Tough Chik Members – Becka and Erin!!

Becka

Name: Becka

Location: Arvada, CO

Sport of Choice: Running

Other Hobbies: Hiking, biking, canoeing, whitewater rafting

2012 Race Plans: Way too many! First major will be a 100 miler race in Moab in March.

What makes you a Tough Chik: I may not be the fastest, but I am determined! I finish what I start!

Blog URL:50halfmarathonsin50states.blogspot.com

Erin

Name: Erin

Location: Walla Afton, WY

Sport of Choice: Running! Racing marathons

Other Hobbies: spending time with my family, writing, and reading

2012 Race Plans: Goofy Challenge, Boston Marathon, Ragnar (part of a ultra team), Top of Utah Marathon, NYC Marathon and a few smaller races too

What make you a Tough Chik: My determination and commitment make me a Tough Chik. I train hard and don’t make excuses. I run seven days a week most weeks and I do core and strength training. I am continually pushing myself to be the best athlete and runner that I can be (and to get faster!). I lost 75lbs the healthy way and have kept it off, and I love feeling strong.

Blog URL: seemomrunfar.blogspot.com

Fun Fact: I have 12 kids. Yup, 12. I gave birth to three and we adopted nine. My oldest is 16 and my youngest is 3. They are awesome!

We are still accepting Team Tough Chik members through January 1st!  Please go here to find out more about our amazing and outstanding team, we really have a great group of women (as you can see) thus far and would love to have you too!  We are very close to our goal of having 50 team members, as of now we have 47!  We have ladies from Canada, Australia and even South Africa!  How cool is that?

If you have any questions or concerns about the team, do not hesitate to email me at shannon (at) toughchik (dot) com!

Tour de Palm Springs

A few Toughies are getting together and participating in Tour de Palm Springs as an unofficial Team Tough Chik ride.  The ride is on February 11th and there are several route options you can choose from.  They have a 5, 10, 25, 56 and 100 mile options.

If you want to take a look at the routes, you can go here and see each route mapped out and a link to map my ride withe elevation information.  The price depends on the distance and all the proceeds go to charities in the Coachella Valley, so you are riding for a very good cause!

Go check it out and let me know if you are interested!  Super fun girls weekend with Tough Chik!

e-mail me at shannon (at) toughchik (dot) com if you have questions or want to join the fun!

I surrender

After 3 cough laden sleepless nights, I waved the white flag and went to the doctor yesterday.  I just couldn’t take it any longer.  I don’t hate going to the doctor, but I was really hoping that I could kick this on my own.  But after this nasty cough hijacked my weekend, I was ready to surrender.

I have bronchitis.  Yuck!  The doctor actually gasped when she looked into my mouth, not a great reaction.  She said that the roof of my mouth was raw and covered in soars from all the coughing.  But on the bright side, I do not have pneumonia or tonsillitis!  Yea me!  She gave me a course of antibiotics and some cough syrup and told me to get some rest, if I don’t feel better in a week to come back.  A. WEEK.

I have only been on one short bike ride in over a week and it looks like it will be several more days before I can get moving again.  It is not that I want to work out, I really don’t feel like doing much of anything really.  But I keep thinking about how hard it is going to be to get back to the point I was before I got sick.  2 weeks of no activity is like 2 years in gym world!  But I can’t take a deep breathe right now and I am exhausted walking up a flight of stairs, so I am on IR (injured reserve for you non-sports folks).  Me and Peyton Manning, it is like we are the same.  Spinal cord fusion and bronchitis, yeah they are on par with each other.

So go for a run, ride, swim, or what-ever-you-do for me!  I will be on my couch participating in my own kind of marathon, the criminal minds marathon.   Have a great week and stay healthy!

P.s. free shipping on toughchik.com with the code ToughChikTuesday!