Monday, August 1, 2011

I literally "MADE" It!

We did it folks.. To those of you that know and have managed to help keep me sane.. Thank you, thank you, thank you.. I cannot thank you enough. To everyone else, sorry for the secrets but they required it happen this way. For the last month I have been filming an episode of MTV Made - "I WANT TO BE A TRIATHLETE" It has been one of the most fun, crazy, tiring, exciting, trying, exhausting experiences of my life. Some days I was filming for 12+ hours while still trying to get in workouts pre-ironman and not let my own clients and regular job work fall to the wayside. The point is.. we made it. Yesterday was a big day. Branden did his first ever triathlon (Pittsburgh Adventure Race - 2 mile kayak (for liability purposes), 20k bike and 5k run to finish 2nd in his age group with a time of 1 hr 50 mins (10 minutes ahead of his goal time). He dropped his chain twice, and still almost had first (only was down by 1 min 40 seconds to 1st place). He is only 16 years old, lives in Pittsburgh and when I met him four weeks ago, had pretty much done no physical activity for years. He lost over 10 pounds and he got to experience our Tri world in full by coming with my to Ironman Lake Placid to see his first ever triathlon.

I couldn't be more thankful to have had a chance to do this. It really did change my life (and the way I look at reality TV!). Josh (film crew), Branden and I were like one little family every day for the last month and we saw really good times and really tough times together. It was probably the hardest I have ever worked at anything non-triathlon related in my life. Kyle had to pick up HUGE amounts of slack when I stopped eating because I didn't have time to buy groceries etc. My friends, family & athletes were so understanding during this time.. and I couldn't have done it without them.

The episode will air in September and I promise to let you all know when it does.

In the mean time, I've got a house that looks like a bomb went off.. bills to pay and still a bit of filming today and tomorrow ("pick up shots") they call them. I actually found I love being on camera and it was a lot of fun.. the outtakes should be hillarious (think me singing, dancing, making faces and rapping.. yes, rapping).

In the middle of all of it, I was trying to train for this little race in Lake Placid that I had always wanted to do. Part of me wanted to cancel it all together.. but that's just not my style. Let the chips fall where they may, I decided to go despite all the missed training, lack of sleep and just general craziness of planning a schedule with TV producers and see what happened. I vowed to have fun all day, even when I was doubting if I might even finish pre-race. Once I let it all go.. it all seemed to come together and God Blessed me with a day I will never forget.

First Female Amateur (6th overall with the professional women), 1st female 30-34 and a new run PR of 3:17. I still can't believe it to this day :)





Needless tosay I'm beyond thankful for the last month.

I have no idea what lies in store next, but I'm so ready to find out.

More race report in the next post, but trust me when I say.. I think it might be a good one! Thank you Kyle, my Mom, Dad, Family, Friends and everyone else who supports me. You make me so happy and empower me to overcome those who try and hold me down with their negativity and jealousy (which they will never do by the way :)! I love my life, I love the people in my life and I will never stop striving to be the best version of myself.. never.. it's going to be a crazy ride.. so hold on tight my friends!

More to come and thanks for your patience. I know this month hasn't been easy.. but it's been so so very worth it!

21 comments:

Unknown said...

AWESOME JOB!!!! Cant wait to see the aired finished prduct!! You are an incredible athlete!! keep your head high sister!!

Lauren said...

this is AMAZING! it must have been awesome for him to be able to see you cross the finish line of an Ironman!

I cant wait to see the episode!

Kim said...

so my ex was the coach on the first Made "i want to be a triathlete'! so exciting kim! i cant wait to watch it.

and a HUGE congrats on IMLP. i was tracking you all day thinking how amazing you were doing!!! yay!

Alison said...

Congrats - I saw your Lake Placid results and was so happy for you!!!

Alastair said...

Glad you had a great time. We briefly met you and Brandon as we were breaking down the exhibition in Lake Placid. Really hope that Brandon enjoyed the wonderful sport of Triathlon and he keeps it up. And I hope the the compression sleeves did their job and helped him recover.
Great Result!

Steve said...

I'll have to miss your MTV thing, since I don't have cable, and don't plan on getting cable, but impressed with your IM. 3:17 Marathon???!!!

U R such a... well never mind about that. :) j/k

Really impressive though. Really happy for you. :)

Chloe said...

Kim had to keep me updated in your IMLP since I was driving - and I just about swerved off of the road when she texted me your time! A huge congrats! I can't WAIT to see you on 'Made' - I'm sure it's going to be awesome!

Teresa said...

Can't wait to watch!! Amazing work you have done girl! xoxo

sarah said...

Yay Kim!! I am so happy for you. What a crazy summer it has been :) I am sure you know this but I just want to make sure it is totally sunk in that you didn't just work on a tv show but you really truly changed brandens life for the better, just like you've changed mine and every person's who has the pleasure of knowing you :) I can't wait to see what comes next for you and im glad to come along for the ride!

Christi said...

I am so happy for you and all that you have accomplished. You did a great job at LP and to know that you were so busy beforehand makes it even more impressive.

Thanks so much for sharing all your adventures!

m said...

I can't wait to see the episode!

Congrats again on your amateur win in Lake Placid. Will we see you in the pro ranks soon?

Katie said...

Congrats Kim and an awesome race at Lake Placid and also on helping someone dreams come true! Love it!

ADC said...

Wow, that is amazing. Please let us know when the episode airs - hopefulyl I can get it here in the UK. And wow, what an awesome race for you Kim. You are such an inspiration. Huge congrats.

Libby said...

oh my god!!! that is SO freakin amazing! what an awesome way to change a kids life and to be such a positive influence in another's life. I am so so proud of you. that is incredible to have done all that AND in the month leading up to your breakthrough LP performance. Seriously spectacular. I am so proud of you girl, you truly are amazing. I cannot wait to see the episode! I love watching made! makes me so happy to see others acheive their impossible!

Jennifer Harrison said...

YES, your LP day was amazing and what is even more impressive is that you did it during all this STRESS!!!! WOW. congrats again and again! :))

dad said...

Congrats from DAD.

Job well done, think about the future and what you want. Important decisions down the road.

Austin said...

Love it. Congrats again. Can't wait to see you on Mtv.

Kiet said...

Huge congrats on IMLP Kim and can't wait to see you on MTV, now I just gotta figure out how I'll see it since I don't have cable, I'm sure it'll be online.

Jamie said...

I already sent you major congrats, but...

1) You are a really good at keeping secrets!
2) I now know BOTH MTV made triathlon coaches
3) I can't wait to see you rapping.

Heidi Austin, PT, DPT said...

congrats coach! you did awesome! with everything you had going on you stayed calm and got it done :) so excited and proud of you!

Charisa said...

Congrats on your race and your show!!