Meet Tracey, Kimberly and AnnaMarie!

Tracey

Name: Tracey

Location: Modesto, CA

Sport of Choice: Mt. Biking (CC, Downhill), Road Cycling, Cyclocross

Hobbies: Hiking, Camping, Backpacking, Snowshoeing

2012 Race Plans: Sea Otter Classic, TBF Races, Boggs 8 Hr. Solo, Levi’s Gran Fondo, and who knows what else!

Fun Fact: I recently achieved a long-time goal and got my motorcycle license.

Kimberly

Name: Kimberly

Location: Pensacola Florida

Sport of Choice: Running

Hobbies: Crossfit, Backcountry Hiking, Cycling, Gym Rat, Zumba Fitness Instructor

2012 Race Plans: I’m still a Gerber runner, so I am working on breaking some 5k time PRs, I also plan to complete my first 10k by the end of this year.

What makes you a Tough Chik: It is crazy to think that this past year, within 7 months I literally went from being an overweight Couch Potato to training with C25K, to actually participating in my first 5k. And along the way, I lost 27 lbs. and eventually became addicted to running, joining more races and gradually preceding onward to the “Gerber Phase” of being a Runner.   Of course, since all this time I haven’t considered myself as a “Runner,” for some reason in my little peon mind a “Runner” is someone who runs 10ks, Half Marathons, Full Marathons + Triathlons. That my own participation in a couple 5ks is just my struggled attempt at being a Runner. But being a Runner is more than ‘going the distance’, it is literally hard work to prepare yourself mentally and physically for any type of run, whether that being a 5k all the way to a Full Marathon! Just being able to get up off the couch and push past your personal limitations into moving forward and clocking in mileage, whatever the distance might be, is in itself a major accomplishment!  Being able to conquer these barriers regardless of level makes for a true “Runner”.  With that being said, I embrace the new challenges and adventures of running and I am gladly embracing the moniker of being “a runner”. And that is what makes me a Tough Chik!

Blog: fittestfatgirl.tumblr.com

Fun Fact: I secretly enjoy passing up guys on the race course so they can eat my dust at the finish line!

AnnaMarie

Name: AnnaMarie

Location: Pinckney, Michigan

Sport of Choice: Running

Hobbies: Scrapbooking, Photography, Reading, Gardening, Music, Biking

2012 Race Plans: To run more 5K’s with my 10 and 8 yr  old daughters , to train and complete a 10K

What make you a Tough Chik: I’m a newbie runner but love it and am tough because I try to keep running a priority while also an uber busy momma of 4! I try my best and strive for faster and harder!!

Blog: http://annamarie-mondro.blogspot.com (scrap booking mainly)

Fun Fact: I used to train and actively show my dogs in competition obedience, and my Border Collie (since passed) was ranked as one of the top scoring Border Collies in the Open Division in the year 2000.

JOIN TEAM TOUGH CHIK!  6 DAYS LEFT!!!

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Meet Courtney, Patty and Claudia!

Courtney

Name: Courtney

Location: Virginia Beach

Sport of Choice: Running/Mud Runs/Trail Running

Hobbies: chasing my kids, cooking

2012 Race Plans: Disney Princess Half Marathon, Yeungling Shamrock Half Marathon and 8k (Dolphin Challenge),Tough Mudder mid-Atlantic, Warrior Dash VA,  ASYMA Mud Run, Colonial 200 Relay, several other local races

What make you a Tough Chik: As a full-time working mom of two small boys, it is hard to find time do laundry let alone train for a race, but in the past 5 years, I have run over 40 races, several of which I have won or placed in my age group.  I think what makes me a Tough Chik isn’t the number of races I’ve completed, rather, being a role model for my boys by staying fit and active. They see the commitment I have to my health, fitness, and overall well-being and the drive I have to keep at it even though life is hectic. I love that my boys are proud of their mom and that they think it’s cool that their mom likes to get muddy!

Blog: http://somanymilessolittletime.blogspot.com/

Fun Fact: I love watching anything from the BBC/PBS, especially British mystery stories.

Patty

Name: Patty

Location: Scottsdale, Arizona

Sport of Choice: Mud Runs

Hobbies: Rock Climbing, Hiking, Biking, Cooking, Home Decorating/Home Improvement Projects

2012 Race Plans: Pat’s Run, Warrior Dash, Dirty Six Mud Run, Carlsbad 5000

What makes you a Tough Chik: In the fall of 2008, I was at work and wasn’t feeling well. Thinking I had the flu, I went home after work and lay down. I continued to feel worse so I decided to go to the hospital although I felt silly and figured they would send me home. When I arrived at the emergency room, the doctors told me I was having a massive heart attack. I underwent surgery and had two stents put in. Afterwards, as a part of the recovery process, the doctor sent me to a Cardiac Rehab facility where I began a 36 visit cardio fitness program. They also helped me to get started on a diet that was low in saturated fat. At first, I wasn’t happy about it but then I found that I started to look forward to working out. I lost 30 pounds, I felt great, and as I started to feel more confident, I started trying different activities. I tried indoor rock climbing and found that I loved it. Then I tried a few runs and that was fun too. Then I discovered mud runs and really loved those! Pretty soon, I was exercising almost every day and enjoying it! Now, I love exercising and trying new activities. I feel very lucky to have a second chance at life and that’s why I am a tough chik!

Claudia

Name: Claudia

Location: Big Bear Lake, CA

Sport of Choice: Mountain Bike, Paddle Board, Snow Shoe, Running, skiing

Hobbies: Hiking, Travel

2012 Race Plans: Conquer the Cub

What make you a Tough Chik: We will see…..

Fun Fact: I sleep with a night light

Join these women and 170 more on Team Tough Chik!  Join today!

2012 Sea Otter Classic

Unless you have been living under a rock or haven’t had internet access over the past few days, you know that I was at the Sea Otter Classic in Monterey, CA over the weekend.  Sea Otter is a 4 day event with bike races from road criteriums to dual slalom down hill, pretty much anything you can imagine on a bike.  This was the 3rd year for Tough Chik to participate in the expo and the first year for Team Tough Chik to race the event.

We arrived at Laguna Seca Racetrack on Wednesday afternoon to set up the tent.  We got our same spot as last year near Clif, which is the place to be! They have a party on Saturday evening and is always a great time.  There are hundreds of vendors and by far our biggest even of the year, that being said it is also a very well organized event.

The set up

Thursday was our first day of selling and it was a beautiful day. I was accompanied by my number one supporter and ultimate partner in crime, my husband, Marc.  He is an avid cyclist and mt. biker, so he was in heaven.  He took this opportunity to enjoy the local trail and get in a few rides himself.

Post-ride happy hour at the Tough Chik tent and yes, he is wearing a TC cap!

We worked from 9 to 5 and then we were treated to homemade tacos from a local, Tommy, at the campsite where most of the Toughies stayed (I opted for a hotel).

Tommy's Tacos

Friday is when the show kicks it up a notch and is in full swing.  All of the Team Tough Chik racers stopped by the tent and hung out with me which made the show a 100 times more fun for me!  I was joined by my PIC and Co-Capt, Angela, along with her Big Bear gal pal, Michelle, Jess from Sacramento and Dubai, Chrystal from Fresno and Tracey from Modesto!  We had a great group of women!  I raced on Saturday so I did my best to stay hydrated and off my feet, which is pretty much impossible.  I wore my heavy-duty CEP compression socks and just hoped and prayed that this wasn’t taking a huge toll on my legs.  After we left the expo and cleaned up Marc and I headed to the Italian restaurant across the street. I drank a whole pitcher of iced tea and huge bowl of pasta primavera.  Even the waiter was impressed that I polished it off.

Saturday morning we met Angela and Michelle at the tent before I headed over to the start line.

Michelle, Shannon and Angela - pre race

My race started at 9AM and it was already in the 80′s, it was going to be a scorcher!  I reminded myself that I was going to race my own race and just treat this as a training ride.  I had not properly trained for this race, my focus has been on my triathlons in May.

Shannon at the start line

I was racing cat4 road stage race, translation – beginner level race on the road with a start and finish not on a track or just going in circles.  Bike racing segmented into categories 1-5 for men and 1-4 women and is very unregulated until you get to the pro level.  That means that you can move yourself up and down cat depending on the race.  They want 3 or 4 races (I think) under your belt before you move from 4 to 3, but after that you really decide in which cat you want to ride.  Cat 4 should be beginner, i.e. one of your first 4 races.  Look at the photo, do these women look like this is their first race?  I try not to judge a book by it’s cover, because most of the time I am wrong.  But these ladies look like they know what they are doing.  Cat 3 and 4 raced together but we had different color numbers, so you could see who you were racing against.  We started on the race track and had a motorcade out to the course.  Everyone was nervous and chatting and it got a little dicey a few times with speeding up and slowing down.  Once the motorcycle peeled off I stayed mid-pack for about 5 miles until the first climb, then I was dropped.  Just live that, 40 miles left to go and I was dropped.  THIS.WAS.GOING.TO.BE.UGLY!

They way the course was set up, we rode about 7 miles to a loop and then we had to complete the 7.5 mile loop 4 times and then climb a hill top finish.  By the time I got to my second lap, the group passed me.  Not only was I dropped, but I was lapped.  Devastating.  It was pretty easy to ride my own ride, since I was riding by myself.  Half way threw loop 2, I dropped a chain and spent what felt like eternity on the side of the road.  I was able to get my chain back on and jumped on the bike.  Instantly my legs seized.  Each pedal stroke was harder than the last and my legs felt like they were made of concrete.  I made it through the next loop sluggishly, exhausted and defeated.  I tried to keep the race in perspective and pushed along.  Each loop started with a steep climb and then several miles of rollers, then a very steep climb, a small downhill and back to the first climb again.  Almost 800 ft of climbing over 7.5 miles.  It was in the 90′s but the heat didn’t bother me, it was the steep climbs that killed.  I was pushing myself so hard that I felt nauseous the entire race and had trouble drinking water.  I didn’t even finish one water bottle in over 2 hours of racing in that heat…not good.  Needless to say, it was a rough race and I finished 29/36.

While I was killing it getting killed, Angela and Michelle held down the fort, errr tent at the expo.  It was a very hot day and I was wiped after the race, but i put on a happy face and worked the tent for the rest of the day.

Sunday morning was the cross-country race and the rest of the team was ready to go.  First off was Angela and Jess.

Angela and Jessica

Then Michelle…

Michelle

and last and not least, Chrystal

Chrystal

After the ladies raced, the stopped by the tent for a photo op!

Team Tough Chik

Team Tough Chik

As you can see Chrystal had a spill on the course and still placed 2nd in her cat!  I was so proud of her!  She had to sacrifice an arm warmer, but it was worth it!

Toughies acting silly!

This was by far my favorite Sea Otter.  I had SO MUCH FUN with my team members and they really made the weekend!  These women are amazing!  Thank you ladies for making my weekend ROCK!  I love you guys!

Meet 2 tree huggers (Lisa and Meredeth) and welcome home Jess!

Lisa

Name: Lisa “Euki”

Location: Wichita, Kansas

Sport of Choice: Running and Snowboarding

Hobbies: Baking, Gardening, Playing Guitar, Helping to save animals and the environment.

2012 Race Plans: some local 5ks, 8ks and 10ks, my first half marathon in April plus 3-4 more throughout the year, some races in PA/NJ area (where my parents live), hopefully some races in NC or NOLA (where my sisters live), maybe a triathlon in August and a The Heartland 50 Miler in October!

What make you a Tough Chik: I love the outdoors and adventures. I’m always ready for a new challenge. The more it scares me the better, I try to take it on and conquer my fears.

Blog: eukitheminimalist.wordpress.com

Fun Fact: I have 3 sisters, all adventurers. Combined we’ve been hikers, mt bikers, cyclists (for transportation purposes), roller girls, snowboarders, surfers, skateboarders, runners, swimmers, backpackers, canoers, rafters… and my youngest sister played basketball at one point. My oldest sister, Christina, is also part of Team Tough Chik.

Meredeth (left) & Tonia

Name: Meredeth

Location: Mechanicsville, VA

Sport of Choice: triathlon

Hobbies: Saving the Earth, Volunteering with Chesapeake Bay Foundation, Locavore cooking

2012 Race Plans: Rumpus in Bumpass International Triathlon, Chasing Chicken Sprint Tri, Powersprint Tri, Brickman Richmond Sprint Tri and a few 5Ks thrown in the mix

What makes you a Tough Chik: First, I learned how to self-motivate.  Second, I learned to “respect the distance.”  It’s a saying my friend, Ginny has taught me.  I used to think that the little 5K’s and 8K’s I was doing didn’t really qualify me as an athlete.  She made me realize that no matter what distance you run, it’s important.  It’s an accomplishment.  It’s what makes you tough.  Third, I learned how to set goals and achieve them.   Fourth, I have surrounded myself with other “Tough Chiks”, including my coach, Tonia.  Many of you know her well through her RacingwithBabes.com blog or as our own TC East Coast Manager.  Having a coach has forced me to challenge my toughness and spend more time reflecting on my personal growth.    Last, the Earth makes me a Tough Chik.  If we didn’t have this beautiful planet to swim in its waters, and bike on it’s roads and run on its grounds, where would any of us be?  I am a Tough “Green” Chik.

Fun Fact: I love the band, Carbon Leaf.

Jess

Name: Jessica

Location: Sacramento, CA (Dubai, UAE ~4months/yr) she just made it home! YAY

Sport of Choice: Triathlon (road and mountain), running, MTB

Hobbies: Horseback riding, hiking, kayaking, swimming, drawing, and well pretty much anything outdoors

2012 Race Plans: Sea Otter Classic XC MTB, Barbs Race 70.3, Big Kahuna 70.3, one or two Xterra’s, and probably several more MTB, and running events.

What make you a Tough Chik: If someone tells me I can’t or shouldn’t do something, it’s like adding fuel to fire, I’ll get it done if it kills me!

Fun Fact: I love a challenge and will do almost anything at least once, just as long as it doesn’t involve heights!  I hyperventilate when I get really mad, I can feel my throat closing off and it get’s really difficult to breath, that’s when I finally talk myself down from whatever has my so mad.

Do you want to join these ladies on Team Tough Chik?  Sign up HERE to receive notification for our Spring registration!

Toughie Tuesday! Meet Michelle, Jennifer and Katye

Michelle

Name: Michelle

Location: Big Bear Lake, CA

Sport of Choice: XC mountain biking; Running; Skiing; Snowshoeing

Hobbies: Eating yummy food; Travel adventures with my husband Gavin and my dog Coco.

2012 Race Plans: US Cup West Race series; Sea Otter Classic, Monterey, CA;  XC mountain bike Marathon Nationals, Bend, Oregon. Conquer the Bear race series (www.OpenAirBigBear.com) and perhaps I’ll throw in a half marathon trail or road run!

What make you a Tough Chik: #1.Being a mother to a teenage son.  #2.HAVING STRONG FRIENDS MAKES ME A TOUGH CHIK!  As women, we are often faced with small battles all day long…messages that we are not good enough, not pretty enough, not smart enough.  And unfortunately, some of these messages come from other women   It’s great to see Tough Chiks all over the country supporting female athletes of all levels and spreading the message that you can be as TOUGH as you want to be.  Now let’s race!

Blog: Check out Coco’s adventures at Coco The Aussie on Facebook!

Fun Fact: My dog, COCO, is a mini Australian Shepherd.  She has her very own Facebook page, and I must say she is a talented writer, even without the opposable thumbs.  Also, my husband Gavin is from Australia.  Officially, I am a collector

Name: Jennifer

Location: Taylorsville, North Carolina

Sport of Choice: Running

Hobbies: Reading, Hanging with friends, watching tennis, working on crafts

2012 Race Plans: NC Half Marathon, Cooper River-Charleston SC, Charlotte RaceFest Half Marathon, Diva Half Marathon-Myrttle Beach SC

What makes you a Tough Chik: I have worked really hard at running since I started in July 2010. I got hurt approximately 4 months and really struggled to come back. I’m finally starting to feel good about myself & my running.

Fun Fact: I’m a huge tennis fan. I love watching it on tv. My favorite tennis player is Rafael Nadal.

Katye

Name: Katye

Location: Baltimore, MD

Sport of Choice: Running!  I also love plyometrics and will try almost anything once

Hobbies: I danced and choreographed for 15 years and still love it…just don’t have the time to commit to it right now, I love writing reading and wish I found more time for it!, I’m a life long fundraiser and I feel like I’m always planning some kind of fundraiser or charity event, I love doing anything with my family and friends!  I have a ton of first cousins and always have a good time with them, and I love the occasional cocktail and dance club ; )

2012 Race Plans: Great question, I haven’t quite figured it all out just yet! I’m doing the Goofy Challenge in Disney this January (I did it last year and LOVED it), the Disney Princess Half in February (one of my favorites), I plan on doing the NYC Marathon again this year and am attempting a PR (might have to do Marine Corp in October as my PR race?), I want to run a sub 4 marathon and sub 1:55 half at some point this year, RNR National on St. Patrick’s Day, probably a bunch of local 5K’s, 10K’s, and halfs…guess we will just have to see what else this year brings!

What make you a Tough Chik: I spent too many years letting exercise and food control my life.  I abused my body in so many possible ways.  But then it ended.  I said no more.  I got the help I needed.  And now exercise is all about praising my body for what it can do, not what it looks like or what size it fits in!

Blog: www.longlegsontheloose.com

Fun Fact: I’m 5 foot 10.5 (5’11 on a good, stretched out day).  It took me many many years to except my height (I felt like being tall made me “big” in every possible way and I just wanted to blend in) but now I love it.  Oh and it takes me no less than 6 full minutes to brush my teeth.

TGIF! I bet Sophie, Lauren and Chrystal are doing something TOUGH this weekend!

Sophie

Name: Sophie

Location: San Diego, California

Sport of Choice: Personal fitness training, heavy-bag boxing, running (trail and road), swimming, snowshoeing, hiking, the occasional flipping tires and pulling trucks!

Hobbies: Work (I love my work), traveling, meeting friends, probably many others I can’t think at the moment (my life is NOT boring!)

2012 Race Plans: So far signed up only through June and will keep adding as the year goes on; Carlsbad Half-Marathon, Tinkerbell Inaugural Half-Marathon, RNR Pasadena Half-Marathon, Finish Chelsea’s Run 5K, San Diego PETCO Inaugural Half-Marathon, Hot Chocolate Race 10K, Hollywood Star Inaugural Half-Marathon, SoCAL RAGNAR, La Jolla Half-Marathon, World Famous Mud Run Camp Pendleton, America’s Finest City Half-Marathon (Triple Crown), Dirt Devils Trail Half-Marathon Series, EcoRun 10K

What make you a Tough Chik: Started to be really more active about 5 years ago when I came to California; 10 years ago had a chronic illness that prevented me to run one single block without being out of breath, conquered that and am stronger than ever at the ripe age of 48 now. I am very competitive and always looking for a new challenge to do. I am not scared of anything and ‘go for it’ which has resulted in various injuries over the years and scars/sprains to show for. Scare my friends fairly frequently and never volunteer to my parents in France what I am up to . Always looking for the ‘next’ thing and cannot imagine becoming a ‘reasonable’ person.  Recently got lost as I was hiking/running alone on trails, after 3 hours of trying to find my way back crawling through brushes, etc.; had to call for help and a sheriff helicopter was sent out for me, I remained calm, went to higher altitude and marked the sign “Help” on a flat place with rocks so that the helicopter could spot me; once they did and showed me the trail, I got right back on it and got down by myself (8 hours later bloody/beaten up).

Blog: None (thinking I should write a book/sitcom of my life though)

Fun Fact: I am French – okay that IS not a fun fact , came to the US 20 years ago on what was supposed to be a 2-month internship.    I set up clinical trials for cancer patients and have been fortunate to be involved in the development of 2 drugs that are now treating patients worldwide. As a French person, used to make fun of those sporty US people who always run and took pride of being a couch potato for years.  I   have now run over 15 half-marathons on road and trails and countless other smaller races including one oversea in Windsor, UK in front of the Queen’s Castle during a one-year international assignment in England.    I have also done 2 international bicycle vacations in Costa Rica and Vietnam.

Lauren

Name: Lauren

Location: Roanoke, VA

Sport of Choice: Running and Cycling

Hobbies: Cooking (mostly because I love eating), taking pictures, blogging, and hanging out with my awesome hubby

2012 Race Plans: So far I am signed up for the Blue Ridge Half (or Full?) Marathon and the National Capital Tour de Cure (50 mile ride).  I definitely hope to add some more races and rides onto the schedule though.

What makes you a Tough Chik: Like so many other toughies, I don’t necessarily consider myself a tough chik for my physical abilities. Sure, I like to think that I have a good bit of endurance, but I don’t run particularly fast and I am scared to death of letting go of the brakes on my bike when I’m going downhill.  I consider myself a tough chik because I love to challenge myself.  Once I’ve committed to a challenge, I’m going to give it my all. It is always my goal to never quit or give up on myself.  This doesn’t mean I will always be successful, but I will know that I tried my hardest at whatever it was.  Of course, since I love to challenge myself, I’m always trying to run faster and loosen my grip on the brakes, but accomplishing these things isn’t what makes me tough.  Proving to myself that I CAN do it only makes me dig deeper and try to push myself to the next level.  This determined spirit is what makes me a tough chik!

Blog: www.sweat-junkie.com

Fun Fact: I really love ice cream.

Chrystal

Name: Chrystal

Location: Fresno, CA

Sport of Choice: MTB

Hobbies: Rock climbing, Horseback riding, Hiking, Running and Toyota 4Wheeling

2012 Race Plans: SoCal Endurance series, Kenda Cup series, Big Sandy, Sea Otter Classic, Catalina Island Grand Fondo and whatever else I can squeeze in.

What make you a Tough Chik: After a 7 year marriage destroyed my self esteem, self worth and self image I set out to reinvent myself. If you can’t value yourself how will you be able to value others? It has been a long process but I am beginning to see my inner strength being reflected outward and if feels great! I work in a 99.9% male industry so I can’t wait to meet fellow toughies!

Fun Fact: I spent 6 months teaching Kindergarten in Bangkok, Thailand. I love Skittles but don’t like chocolate.

Start you weekend off right with Kathleen, Sandra and Charlene.

Kathleen

Name: Kathleen

Location: Richmond, VA

Sport of Choice: running

Hobbies: indoor cycling, yoga, politics

2012 Race Plans: SCAN 5k, Monument Ave 10k, HCA 8k

What makes you a Tough Chik: Until two years ago, I only ran if I was being chased.  Almost on a dare, I signed up with a local women-only training team (Mother Runners!) and successfully completed my first 10k. I won’t win any land-speed records, but that doesn’t matter to me.  I’m out there, I’m enjoying it and I’m showing anyone who cares (esp. my kids) that it’s never too late to start (and love) something new.

Fun Fact: I attended college in the Bay Area and lived there for several years after graduation. One item on my bucket list was running across the Golden Gate Bridge. The photo I’ve attached is my ‘proof’ that I checked off that item!

Sandra

Name: Sandra

Location: Keene, NH

Sport of Choice: cycling (road and mtn bike), hiking, running, snowshoeing

Hobbies: traveling, photography, reading, knitting

2012 Race Plans: Mercedes ½ marathon, Birmingham, AL, Seaside 5K, Seaside Florida, Chatham Harbor Run 10K, Four on the fourth – Keene, NH, Seacoast Century ride Hampton Beach NH, Run, Walk and Roll 34 mile bike, Brattleboro VT

What makes you a Tough Chik: I am not as tough as I am stubborn. And probably not so much a tough ‘chik’ as a “tough old bird”!   At age 50 I cycled my first century ride along the coast of New Hampshire (eight long hours in the seat!) and in Feb of this year at 51 years young I will be running my first half marathon. I am slow but determined…

Fun Fact: Travel is my passion and bike touring is my favorite kind of vacation. So far I have toured five European countries on a bicycle – Germany, Austria, Ireland, Spain and the HILLS of Tuscany Italy ….the plan is to cycle Southern France next!

Charlene

Name: Charlene

Location: Yellowknife Northwest Territories

Sport of Choice: Running

2012 Race Plans: Calgary L’Arche Half Marathon – March 24th, Florence Marathon – November 25, 2012, Yellowknife Half Marathon – August 12,2012

What make you a Tough Chik: I am a mother of 2, I am a mine rescue captain and a geologist. I live off the grid in ice road country in the far north. Living off the grid here means I carry a lot of wood; I fill generators with gas and keep a whole house running out on an ice road in – 40 weather. I work 12-hour days and find time for training, my love and my kids. I get a lot done, because I have to.

Fun Fact: I’m convinced if I had watched Footloose while pregnant with my son his name would be Ren instead of Nole. The road I lived on is featured in Ice Road Truckers season 1. My house is exactly 13.1 miles from town. Me and My sister can both do killer impressions of Yogi Bear and Huckle Berry Hound singing blue suede shoes. I can’t even remember when we developed this skill

Spartans, Ironmans, Ultra-runners….these women are TOUGH! Meet Erika, Lisa and Niki!

Erika

Name: Erika

Location: Currently – Detroit, MI area; moving to Seattle, WA in coming weeks

Sport of Choice: Triathlon, running

Hobbies: Crochet, reading, all things toddler with my 2 year old

2012 Race Plans: Ironman Arizona (November) Ironman Lake Stevens 70.3 (July), 2 half marathons (June/October), variety of other triathlons and races

What makes you a Tough Chik: I am signed up for my first Ironman and taking my triathlon racing to the next level. All while working, being a wife, moving cross-country and most importantly being a mom to my 2 year old Julia.

Blog: thisspartanwill.blogspot.com

Fun Fact: I was one of the first bicentennial babies born in 1976 in Washington DC!  I am a huge Michigan State Spartan fan, love all things sports and we own a lop-earred rabbit named Maverick.

Lisa

Name: Lisa

Location: Anaheim Hills, CA

Sport of Choice: Running

Hobbies: Mountain Biking

2012 Race Plans: Several half marathons and San Juan 50k on April 14.  I also hope to run the St. George Marathon again in October.

What makes you a Tough Chik: I have only been running for four years. I started *after* I turned forty. I continue to push myself and show that age doesn’t matter.

Blog: http://lisasepiphany.blogspot.com/

Fun Fact: I once ran a mud run in a formal wedding dress with a wedding party.  The dress had a full train and my friends, dressed as bridesmaids, and my brother, dressed as a groomsman, helped me over walls and obstacles and through the mud. It was one of the most fun races I have ever run.

Niki

Name: Niki

Location: Johnson City, TN

Sport of Choice: Distance Running

Other Hobbies: Traveling, Reading

2012 Race Plans: Cooper River Bridge Run, California International Marathon, My 1st Triathlon (haven’t picked one out yet, but I’m going to do it!), my 1st mud run, and I am sure to do a few 1/2s!  They are my favorite!

What make you a Tough Chik: I moved to a new city in a new state all on my own because I wanted to experience something different for once in my life.  While there I began, for the first time ever, serious training because I was going to run a half-marathon with some fast girls from home that I didn’t even know that well and I didn’t want to embarrass myself.  I trained for my 2nd half-marathon all on my own.  I followed a plan, trusted my training, and made my goal.  I am continually looking for the “next ” thing so I moved back home, started training, and ran my first marathon in October.  I am amazed at the love I have found for the sport and the wonderful friends I have made.  I even started my blog because I was so overwhelmed with emotion when training.   None of this would have been possible without the encouragement of my training buddies, who are now some of my best friends.

Blog: http://running-niki.blogspot.com/

Fun Fact: I’m only 5’0”

Training ADD

Jack of all trades, master of nothing.  That is kind of how I feel about training these day.  I struggle keeping focus.  I want to be great at everything and well, sometimes that is just not possible.  I have a pretty big race coming up and I should be 100% focused on road cycling.  I have told myself that I need to spend as much time in the saddle as possible.

And then it happens…I see a post that someone ran 18 (or something absurd) miles and I feel like I should be running more.  I can’t run 18 miles, i need to be running more.  Or I look at my triathlon results and see how incredibly slow I am in the water.  I mean if I want to be a triathlete, the last thing I need to do is cycling.

Don’t forget weight training, I already ended up in PT for neglecting my weight training and then of course there is yoga.  I really should be stretching more and doing more yoga, plus it will help with my stress level.  My stress level is high because of my training ADD (not to mention a plethora of other issues).

Of course I can forget the Crossfit band wagon that I must jump on.  It will change my life and I DO want to be strong.  Or boot camp, my beloved Trainer Ali teaches an amazing boot camp…I really need to get back to that.

And I can forget Mt. Biking!  I just got back on the Mt. Bike, I can’t abandon it now.  But the Mt. biking WILL help me with the road cycling race in April, which is what I really should be training for…

How do you stay focused OR do you?  Am I alone in this??

A TOUGH weekend!

What an amazing weekend we had here in beautiful Southern California and the weather was great too!  I was so lucky to meet some Team Tough Chik members in the flesh plus we meet a lot of Tough Chiks in general.  The weekend kicked off early on Thursday night with the much-anticipated Ladies Night at Out-Spoke-N bike shop in Huntington Beach, CA.

Angela and Shannon

The night started with a meet a greet, we had cocktails (thanks to my hubby and William Grant & Sons), Mix1 and some snacks.  Team Tough Chik members Molly and Lisa were in attendance, we got a group shot…but it is MIA!

Presentation by Chris with Fizik

Presentation by Chris with Orbea

We were lucky enough to have Chris from Fizik and Chris with Orbea, each spoke about the importance of women’s specific products, specifically saddles.  The boys were upstaged followed by our very own Angela who gave an amazing presentation on bike maintenance and changing a tire.

We even gave away a few goodies from Fizik, Tough Chik and Out-Spoke-N.

And the winner is...

Angela is VERY excited about Grip Tape!

On Friday morning I introduced Angela to my swim coach and Team Tough Chik member, Trainer Ali!  I got these ladies on the road and showed them one of my favorite rides.

Shannon, Ali and Angela

We had a great afternoon ride and the weather was amazing.  On Sunday Angela returned the favor and introduced me to one of her friends and Team Tough Chik member, Malia!  Angela got me on her turf (the dirt) and showed me who’s boss.  Boy, that girl has mad skills!

Louise, Me, Angela and Malia - showing off how Tough we are!

It was a great time and I must admit that my legs are feeling it today.  I have plenty of time to recover for Tour de Palm Spring next weekend.  More Tough Chiks on bikes, does it get any better?