Chrissy...Reinventing In Bolder

With New Year's resolutions on the horizon, now is the perfect time to introduce this month’s Bolder Spotlight, Chrissy! This rockstar mom knows how to reinvent herself in style. If you need some inspiration to spark your own resolutions this year, take a look at Chrissy’s story:

Back in June of 2021 I remember finally having the guts to step on the scale after months of pretending I was keeping up with my fitness. It wasn't good. Not only did I gain all the weight back that I lost post pregnancy 6 years ago, but I've gained more (thanks Covid!). I needed to get back on track and the best way I knew of doing that was to sign up for a race. But what race? 

I pondered a 5k, 10k, triathlon, half marathon, 70.3 triathlon but I've done all of those before. Was it going to really motivate me to stick with training? Probably not. But a marathon. THAT has always been on the "unattainable" bucket list. "Why" you may ask. Well, after blowing my knee out freshman year playing volleyball at Gettysburg College, I was told that I'd never run again much less play collegiate volleyball. Being an athlete most of my life, this shook me to my core. That was all I've ever known. I was lost, scared, nervous about what the future held for me. What was I supposed to do now? 

I transferred schools, fell in love, and became a typical mid 20 year old but still with a drive that had no outlet. With 5 surgeries on my knee under my belt, I held myself against the limits doctors, coaches and other professionals put on me. Fast forward a few years and I found myself a stay-at-home mom with 3 kids under the age of 2 (single and twins within 17 months). 

Our local gym was offering 2 hours of daycare per day while I worked out. A break AND a chance to lose the baby weight, hmmm, yes please. I goofed off around with weights and the pool, again still not wanting to push my knee outside my comfort zone. I finally decided I wanted to try and cycle class. I was hooked. The combination of a phenomenal instructor with the quick calorie burn with little knee pain and I knew I found something I could stick with. But again, now what. 

I became a certified cycle instructor and was considering attempting a triathlon again. I decided to push my swim and bike hard in order to be competitive and I ended up on the podium for my division a few times. I made the following promise to myself for the season, podium 3 out of 4 races and I'll train for a 70.3 triathlon. And guess what happened, a week after my third podium, I signed up for my first 70.3. I was back to being lost, scared and nervous. The distances for a 70.3 seemed SO unattainable (1.2 mile swim, 56 mile bike, 13.1 mile run). I'd never completed any of those distances before and the run really made me nervous. How would my knee hold up? 

Time to get serious about training. I found a training program that I could stick with and some pretty amazing training buddies and 6 months later, I completed Ironman Raleigh 70.3. A year later, I completed another 70.3 and a few more half marathons. I felt ecstatic and just when I started planning my 2020 race calendar, the pandemic hit, which brings us back to the beginning of my story. 

I needed to put myself out there again, feel lost, scared and nervous. Get waaay outside my comfort zone and a marathon was the answer. I signed up for the Richmond Marathon AND the Marathon Training Team. I met some incredible people, ran a LOT of miles, and experienced everything from runners high to regret to the overwhelming sense of accomplishment. (Anyone else have a finish line ugly crying photo? No, just me? Cool.) So what does the future have in store for me, who knows? But what I do know is, you can always start over.

When was the last time you reinvented yourself? Share your Bold pictures with us on social media!