An incredible experience, and one I can’t wait to repeat in a few years when my sister is healthy (and experienced in running a marathon!).
Bittersweet, yes. But boy did it light a fire under my butt.
Where Ryan freaking won his age group. SO glad his dad was there to experience it with him. After a crash last year, redemption this year was well-deserved.
How everyone (myself included) kept this a secret from October 2015 until January 2016 (especially with the holidays and alcohol!) is beyond me, but WE DID IT. To see the love friends and family have for my parents is just incredible and inspirational.
I may have gotten unlucky on my 30th birthday on Friday the 13th by flipping over my handlebars and earning a lovely sacral stress fracture, but it was probably a blessing in disguise: IMTX 2017 is going to be unbelievable. Just wait.
Yes, this was my “epic comeback” race. Yes, this was the one race where I finally won my age group to qualify for Kona. Yes, Ryan won the whole freaking thing overall. But the best part? Experiencing it with friends who have practically turned into family.
It almost took the top spot, but we are both kind of hoping for just a bit more in 2017.
Not just in terms of running, but all around healthy (both Kristina and I were living the gimp life at this time last year, fighting over who gets the boot and crutches!). It's not often anyone can say that, so I am feeling extremely lucky that this is the case as we lead into 2017.
And, for a bonus, some other top moments that just barely missed the cut.