Triathlon Is Not A Solitary Sport: Here’s 70.3 Miles of Dedications

On the cusp of my first half Ironman race, I thought I’d take the time to do something I’ve been thinking about since my first marathon…I wanted to dedicate each mile of my race to someone important to me.

Triathlon is definitely not a solitary sport. Sure, you train alone, but it’s really the journey of a group of people. For some, this group is small and tiny. For others (like myself) it is a large group of loosely connected people who have been somewhat helpful and inspirational on my journey thus far.

Thank you for all that you do.

Love and light.

-Amara

The first step towards getting somewhere is to decide that you are not going to stay where you are.

1. Mom: My mom taught me that I could get somewhere in life if I was a good person. It was better to be good than to be smart. (…but it was always good to be smart.) She has always inspired me to give back selflessly without expectation. I dedicate my fundraising efforts to her.
2. Dad: My dad taught me the meaning of focus, hard work, and determination. A lot of his drive and commitment carries over into my training. He told me that I only had one body this life and to give it all I have. I’ll do the best I can, dad!
3. Ann: She’s my best friend. I’d give an eye, a kidney, or my life savings to keep her safe and healthy. She never questions my motives and supports me 1000% in all of my endeavors. I’m surprised she doesn’t think I’m crazy. 
4. Aimey: I love her because she tells me what I need to hear, not what I want to hear.
5. Kaylee: She somehow always knows what’s going on with me, even before I open my mouth. ESP?
6. Alex: Somehow he manages to have much more faith in my abilities than I do. I’m grateful for it. You have no idea how much it carries me through a large part of my training and races.
7. Barce: The guy who got me into running. It’s all because of you. Thank you so much for the inspiration…I haven’t stopped running yet.
8. Greg C: He was there when I announced that I wanted to do an Ironman. Saying it in front of him made it real. Thanks for your support. You’ve quite literally been there for me every step of the way. I can’t thank you enough.
9. Gabriel: He was there when I registered for my first marathon in Greece. Without him I wouldn’t have figured out how to change a tire!
10. Vidur: He’s such a great friend, hands down. I wish he’d do a race with me though. Definitely a tri next summer
11. Guillaume: He’s the first person from work to ever donate to my fundraiser. (He might’ve also been the last…?)
12. Skrud: He’s confirmed that I’m crazy for doing all of this. (I think we all need those types of people around, right?)
13. Emma: She inadvertently sparked my interest in the Ironman due to a brief discussion about where I’d get my M-dot tattoo. (She had me at tattoo.)
14. Katie: She’s incessantly patient with my training schedule and my energy peaks and lows at work. Without her support I don’t think I would’ve been able to travel and get my training in. Thanks so much.
15. Anna: She’s the lady version of #12 who also confirms that I’m crazy, most days of the week. 
16. William: My first coach. He helped me bust through my plateau and got me into the best shape of my life. And then I got fat when he left me for another club. THANKS COACH.
17. Lois: My open water swim coach. I didn’t think it’d ever be possible for me to enjoy swimming in open water, but somehow you’ve made it one of my life’s joys. Thank you for this gift. 
18. Amy B: One of the sweetest and gifted athletes on my team! It was great swimming with her in Lake Union over the summer. Can’t wait to race with her next summer. She is such a sweetheart.
19. Andy: This badass got his first set of triathlon prison tattoos in HAWAII. And he’s an awesome cyclist. “How can I be awesome like Andy?” is usually floating somewhere in my head when I’m on my bike.
20. Darci: Doctor Darci has a quiet ferocity to her training. It was great watching her overcome her fear of the water. She is such an amazing athlete. I hope to grow up to be like her one day!
21. Greg T: We lost touch after we both dropped out of our first IM race. I hope things are going well and that you’ll get to the 140.6 distance soon.
22. Jim: He swears that I’m running from something in my past. And he’s probably right. But aside from that, he has always been so supportive and motivational. You are such a great friend. I am happy to have you in my life.
23. Jasenka: She validates me on my fat days. Every girl needs a girlfriend like that. (And…THANK YOU!)
24. Jaewon: My swimming buddy in spirit. She’s consoled me when I was down, and she’s been there to celebrate my achievements.
25. Tyler: My training brother from another sport. I commend and admire your dedication to the acrobatic arts. Of all the people that “get” the training ups and downs, you certainly do. Thanks for the inspiration!
26. Shirley: She convinced me that a half Ironman was still a respectable distance, after three Ironman DNSs. I can see the light at the end of the tunnel.
27. Jason J: The founder of RunKeeper. We’ve kept in touch here and there over the years, but the app/company/service he’s founded has changed my life. I can’t thank him enough. 
28. Chas: We’ve talked about training, we’ve talked about RunKeeper. He’s had some good tips and words of wisdom for me. Thanks for your support!
29. Erin: Another one from the RunKeeper family, she’s been incredibly supportive of my journey. I can’t thank her enough.
30. Jake: I’ve been chatting with Jake the longest out of the entire RK family. He’s been there through most of my transformation. Thank you for your support.
31. Rodney: My Twitter brother from another mother! He’s another person on this earth who might actually love the sport of triathlon more than I do. His spirited messages keep me upbeat. I can’t wait to race with him in the future and to cheer him on at his first marathon. (You know, the race that doesn’t start with a swim and a bike ride.)
32. Zindine: He got me back on the bike after a few disappointing races this summer. His support and check ins have been ever so important as I lost focus and direction for a bit. Thank you. 
33. Irina: She is a machine! What a talented athlete this woman is. She also does it while balancing a full-time job and a family. I’m pretty sure she is SuperWoman and I hope to one day grow up to be just like her.
34. Ron: You passed away too soon. I still remember when I found out about your accident. I miss you. I know that you’re running and riding along beside me where ever I go.
35. Debra: Your strength and motivation inspire me. Love and light.
36. Roman: I admire your drive to head out to the mountains every weekend for a double-digit trek through the wilderness. I hope to one day join you when I am not in training!
37. Tracy: You are a great friend. Thanks for taking me snowshoeing last winter and thanks for all the great times around Seattle and the Eastside. I hope to have many more adventures with you in the future.
38. Natasha: My globe-trotting tri sister! We never did get a chance to race together but seeing as though you are traveling the world, maybe one day we’ll be able to meet halfway and swim/bike/run again. 
39. Briana: You can do anything you set your mind to. You have it in you. It is so uncanny to have a soul sister like you. I applaud your drive and ambition in all that you do. If there is anyone that understands self-reinvention as well as me, it is you.
40. Nathaniel: My bestie from art school. You’ve always been an inspiration to me. Thank you for all that you do!
41. Hai-Ping: One day I hope to grow up and be as awesome as you. I’ll be thinking of you while wriggling into my wetsuit. (And I’m finally being more patient with it, thanks to you!)
42. Rachel: Seriously, the secret is mac and cheese. And cats. (That’s my story and I’m sticking to it.) But really though, you are an amazing lady with tons of drive, creativity, and energy. I admire you.
43. Jen J: Keep on running, lady. You kept a pretty good pace when we were running together at Border Stylo. Rock your race…can’t wait to hear all about it.
44. Robert: I’m happy to have shared our first LA Marathon experience together. You were there when I was first riding Big Bertha around town to Venice, freaking out about my first triathlon, and more. We’ve come a long way and I’m glad to see you doing so well!
45. Debbie: Your feats in triathlon are amazing! Plus, any girl who can ride rollers is pretty awesome. Looking forward to seeing what’s in your tri future! Maybe one day we’ll get to trade war stories. 
46. Marcus: You’ve been a constant source of inspiration for me. Business owner who runs ultramarathons in his spare time? That’s pretty awesomesauce if I do say so myself.
47. Mark: Thank you so much for your support during my first two marathons. Hope you are on track with all of your goals. Drink a cup of tea for me!
48. Jean-Marc: Your positivity has helped me more than you know. Thank you for always checking in on me. You’re a great friend and I’m glad to have you around.
49. Sara: I’m so glad I met you when I did. You cram so much living into your exciting life. You are seriously just…amazeballs.
50. Frank: Seriously, you too. Both of you. Power couple! In between riding and snowboarding and drinking, you both are just living THE LIFE.
51. Nellie: I admire your work in the charity world. I can’t believe I finally convinced you to run a marathon. You’re going to do great!
52. Adriana: You too. You keep saving the world, one charity at a time. You are such a positive spirit. I am happy to have crossed paths and to have worked alongside you. Good luck in the LA Marathon!
53. Tracey: Thank you for the opportunity to help bring the 5K and the LA Marathon to Dress for Success. It was an amazing experience being able to connect two things that were near and dear to me.
54. Rhonah: You lost your battle with brain and breast cancer before I had a chance to visit you here in Seattle. You were a guiding light when I had my design business. You were a beautiful, smart, and intelligent woman. I could not have fathomed a more suitable mentor at that stage in my life. Thank you for everything.
55. Page: You are simply inspiring. I love all of your recaps and everything that you do. I admire your ability to stick to and follow through with a training plan. You make it look so easy, lady.
56. Shauna F: I’ve loved seeing you achieve your tri and marathon goals this year. To more tri and marathon goals in 2014, my tri sister!
57. Heather: Thank you for all of your guidance and help over the years. You’ve given me a lot of perspective on many aspects of my life.
58. Nick: The photos from his ultramarathons, hiking excursions, and even his honeymoon was so inspirational. Can’t wait to cross paths with you one day.
59. Dustin: One of many plant powered Ironmen who have encouraged me to stick to my goals. 
60. Emily: She is one of my heroes. Goofy Challenge? Ironman? Coach? Ultramarathoner? I hope to one day achieve half as much as you have.
61. Chris F: Thanks for your continued friendship and always being so encouraging of my training. I hope you reach your health and wellness goals in the near future!
62. Laura B: One of my old designers when I had my firm, you inspired me with your strength and innate talent to make everything you touch so beautiful. I’m so glad you have found happiness in your new life!
63. Amy T: One of my students from back in the day. She checks in on me from time to time to see what my next race entails. I’m so proud of how far she’s come in her life. Can’t wait to call her Dr. Amy!
64. Shant: We’ve grown apart but thank you for all that you’ve done for me. I won’t forget the times you helped motivate and support me.
65. Diana N: I don’t know you but you have achieved some amazing feats during your career. When the race gets difficult, I promise I’ll find a way.
66. Rich R: I don’t know you either but I feel like I do. Listening to your difficult experiences during the Ultraman on Molokai will help give me perspective when things look tough. Thank you for being so inspirational. You live an exceptional life.
67. Charlotte F: We met on the plane on our way to a race and we ended up racing together again in Portland and Seattle. Hope to see you at the start line of another race sometime soon. Keep on running and inspiring others along the way. You are amazing!
68. Cappie B: The race is a celebration of a season well done. Let’s get out there and rock this half Ironman! Can’t wait to catch up with you at the finish line. Congrats on all of your wild success in the sport. You’re incredibly inspirational.
69. Alan: I’ve always admired how you used your birthday to fundraise for charity. You were one of the first people I knew that raised money through running. It has definitely shaped my perspective on racing and charity and how people can carefully combine the two.
70. Me: Yes. Mile 70 is dedicated to me. To all the miles and hours and lonely times when I thought that I couldn’t make it, to only come out the other side stronger. I finally made it to the start line in one piece. Now all I need to do is make it to the finish!