I'd like to thank Janelle for her comments on my last blog (the J-Lo blog). I'm a humble enough blogger to admit that I neglected to give Jennifer credit for raising money for the Children's Hospital, something I agree is awesome. I also admit I was a bit snarky in my post - 20 hours a week of training coupled with a full time job, house cleaning, family duties, and limbs that hurt everyday can do that to you. Thanks for pointing out the good things J-Lo did with her race Janelle.
The point I was trying to make in the blog was that the things J-Lo did (raise money for charity and compete in an endurance event) aren't all that special - ordinary women do them every week. Yet you don't see these ordinary non-celebrity women getting much credit for the amazing athletic and philanthopic things they do. While it takes incredible courage and determination to compete in a race of any length, I imagine it's easier when you have Gunnar Peterson coming to your house daily to train you (not to mention an entourage of people to help out at home). What about the women who don't have those luxuries yet still find a way to follow their athletic dreams?
Sunday I had the privledge of racing in the Athletes for a Cure Triathlon here in Orlando. In this event I saw a 9 year old girl named Winter compete. Now, a 9 year old competing in an Olympic distance race is an amazing thing...but a 9 year old girl who also raised nearly $40k for prostate cancer is nothing short of phenomenal. Sadly this story didn't even make our local paper - let alone People Magazine or Us Weekly.
Everyday ordinary women navigate the obstacles of life, family, and job responsibilities to accomplish amazing things in athletics. My blog on Jennifer Lopez was an outlet of frustration that these women are only recognized when they're giant celebrities. What about the single mom with twins who just completed Ironman Louisville? Or Paula Radcliff who won the New York marathon 10 months after having a baby? To me, they're the celebrities worthy of a front page article.
At the end of the day cheer for any woman you want - celebrity or non-celebrity. Just cheer for someone! As for me, I'll be cheering for the non-celebrities. As my friends Whitney and Debbie (who are currently training with me for the 1/2 ironman - only they're also juggling 5 kids under the age of 6 between the two of them) say - "It's not about how fast you run, it's about who's waiting for you when you're done."