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Neighborhood News ~ Live your Life and Inspire Many

As seen in Seattle’s Magazine ‘Laurelhurst & Windermere Living’ -October 2014 AMAZING ATHLETES Name: Mary Caroline Craig Age: 42 Sport/Activity: Multisport (Triathlon and Duathlon)

After years of owning my own floral/gift business and the birth of my two daughters, I changed gears and wanted to help others bring health and happiness into their own lives. I chose to do so 5 years ago and now I get paid to exercise and keep a healthy lifestyle as my priority for myself and my family.Currently I am a Lifestyle/Nutrition and fitness coach with Live Alive Fit. My new Inspirational & Informational blog can be found at www.facebook.com/livealivefit, marycraig@livealivefit.com. I am also a Cycling/Triathlon Coaching at Cycle University, Sand Point.


How long have you participated in this sport/activity? I began participating in Multisport (Triathlon/Duathlon) for 4 years and a runner for just 5 years. As a child, I was a dancer (ballet/tap/jazz/lyrical), performed musical theater and enjoyed skiing through age 26. Then I suffered from a spine injury, neck, back, sciatic pain) in a car accident the first year of my marriage and had to give up an active life (for what I was told would be the rest of my life.) I learned to swim just three years ago in order to race triathlon. I wasn’t afraid of the water, but didn’t know how to swim freestyle, so took private lessons and joined a masters program to push myself to learn more quickly. Time is of the essence when you are in your late 30’s. I had my eyes set on a lofty goal. Completing Ironman 70.3 (with a 1.2 mile swim) within just 7 months of learning (2012).. later 2.4 miles in open water for Ironman 140.6 (2013, photo inset).

Who do you idolize in this sport/activity? I am inspired by anyone who goes after their dreams, no matter their age or capability. I began racing later in life, and found such joy in it. When I raced at Duathlon Nationals in 2013, I had the opportunity to watch an 89 year old man complete the race. It was amazing and so inspiring you would have thought the president was there. Everyone wanted to talk to him and get their photographs with him. I had goose bumps from watching it all take place. He is someone I idolize in the sport. Never let age stop you from becoming who you want to be, or what you dream of doing, not matter what that is for you.

Where do you normally practice? So great to live in the pacific northwest where I can train year round outside. I live very close to the Burke-Gilman and spend countless hours on that trail annually. I love the healthy community that it draws to it, and there is no short supply of inspiration there. Most of my training includes running on the burke-gilman trail for distance, the Roosevelt HS track for intervals, cycling all over Seattle/Eastside outside spring through fall, cycling indoors at Cycle University with their Indoor Training Computrainers in the winter (I run the program J), and I swim all winter in my swim spa, and outside in Lake WA all spring/summer/fall.
 
Are you on a team? I race and train with the Cycle University Multisport Team. I also am the team Director. I swim with the Laurelhurst Beach Club – Fattie Fleet as well. An amazing group of inspiring women, of all ages, who swim laps at the LBC throughout the summer. The group begin in the 1950’s and is still going strong. One of the only multi-generational groups that I know of that inspires health in women, and we have fun too.

 

Have you met anyone famous in this sport/activity? I have had many opportunities to race alongside the world’s best in my sport. The nice thing about Multisport, is that, no matter who you are.. we all race together. For instance, the reigning female, Ironman Kona World champion Miranda Carfrae, raced with me in Ironman Lake Stevens 2012. Come out to a larger local race, and you will see some amazing athletes giving it their all, alongside the best in the sport, and it is FREE to attend. Just plant yourself on the side of the transition area, and cheer them on!

Have you traveled anywhere related to this sport/activity? I am fortunate enough to travel to Nationals all over the US, and this past June, I represented TeamUSA at the 2014 Duathlon World Championships in Pontevedra, Spain. I am grateful to have just earned my spot on TeamUSA for 2015 in Adelaide, Australia.

What events have you participated in? I have participated in all distances of Triathlon (swim/bike/run) from sprint, Olympic distances to the longer endurance distances of Ironman Lake Stevens 70.3, Half Iron Victoria B.C., and Ironman Canada, Whistler 140.6. I also race Duathlon (run/bike/run) and compete in both the sprint and standard distance courses.

What awards or honors have you won? Being able to represent TeamUSA and wear the stars and stripes on my racing kit at Duathlon Worlds was an amazing honor. You are never too old, to achieve great things. Remember I started racing at age 38. I was named a Bill Phillip’s Transformation World Champion (one of just a handful in the world) in 2011 for my work transforming my life from someone without health (debilitating spine injuries, and 80lbs heavier) to fully living and enjoying my life; greater health, nutrition, fitness, family life and doing things my doctors never dreamed possible.. all without surgery; Just hard work, dedication and belief that it was possible.

What have you learned from participating in this sport/activity? Multisport has given me time to think and taught me to be better with time planning. I know what you are saying.. “what time?” I do have to balance working full time, parenting two girls with my husband, time with my spouse along with many hours of training each week. During my training, I am allowed quiet time in my mind, time to reflect on my life and those I love. When I come home, I am more present with my family, because I gave myself the give of health, just for me.

What do you like the most about the sport/activity? I love Multisport because it continually challenges me. When I add more run training to my weeks, I gain strength in that, and then can change my focus to cycling, etc. It is almost impossible to be “great” at all the sports at once, so there is always something more to work on, exceed in, and that keeps it exciting. Side benefit is that there are less repetitive stress injuries due to mixing things up between swimming, running and cycling.
 
What is your favorite moment? Accomplishing something new when I wasn’t sure if it was ever going to be possible. I have many favorite moments. Crossing the finish line of my first full marathon with both my girls, seeing my family cheering me on at any event, wearing the TeamUSA starts and stripes kit (the same ones that all the Olympic athletes in Multisport wear) in Pontevedra, Spain representing the US in Duathlon and hearing people from around the world yelling “Go USA” as I ran or cycled by. I always dreamed of being on TeamUSA from the first time I saw Olympic gymnastics, ice skating and track. It was incredible.

One tip for someone looking to get into this sport/activity: If you are interested in trying Multisport, I think you should go for it. You don’t have to be “great” at any one of the sports, and you can start with a sprint distance. Not to mention, you can race at any age. If you love it as much as I did, you will be signing up for two more races the night of your first race! The best tip I could give those interesting in trying Multisport, is to find a team or club to train with. Due to needing to train in two or three very different sports, it is helpful to have coaches and teammates, who also enjoy what you do, to train with. Often they will have weekly workouts, and rides that you can join in on, as my team does. Training with friends is much more fun, AND I tend to push myself a bit harder at workouts when others are around, so the positive pressure can help too.
*Since they normally feature local high school and college athletes in this magazine, I was honored to be chosen as their first ‘adult’ athlete. No matter, your age, continue to DREAM BIG, and go after your DREAMS.. no matter how grand!

Have questions or comments about this post or want more information on coaching with Mary? Send her a message!

EVERYONE deserves to truly LIVE ALIVE FIT!
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