I shared on Facebook this week that I’ve begun training for this June’s Tri Goddess Tri, a triathlon in the Ann Arbor area and my very first attempt at a swim-bike-run endurance event. I feel pretty confident about the bIke and run portions of the race…but the swim? That’s another story. Though I love the water and have swam recreationally all my life in lakes, getting into the pool this week for lap swimming felt foreign and uncomfortable and, I’ll just say it, scary and overwhelming. But I’m determined to train hard and see what this body of mine can do come race day, June 26. (You can be sure I’ll be sharing all the ups and downs I experience along the way, here on the blog and also over on Facebook and Instragram — I’d love to hear from everyone, too. Your tips and encouragement are very welcomed!)
This Goddess race is just one of three organized by Epic Races, an Ann Arbor race management company that MRG is partnering with this year. The other two events: next month’s Ann Arbor Goddess 5K and Mile Run/Walk on Mother’s Day, May 8; and the American Home Fitness Detroit Goddess Half Marathon, 10K & 5K on Sept. 18.
The coolest thing about the next Goddess event — the Mother’s Day 5K and Mile Run/Walk — is the large number of mothers, daughters, sisters, grandmothers and granddaughters who come out to run this together. Also, the event benefits the Michigan Ovarian Cancer Alliance.
You can race with your daughter or mother on the USATF-certified Course in the Mother-Daughter category or add a grandmother or granddaughter for Epic Races’ Three Generations of Women category of fabulous females (participants must compete in the same distance for these divisions).
The Mother’s Day event includes a one-mile option as well. And although this is a day to celebrate goddesses of all generations, orealizes also welcome gods (husbands, brothers, fathers, sons, grandfathers, and more), “as long as our male deities do so to support our goddesses and this very vital cause (awards are just for the ladies, guys!)” Create a team of family members, co-workers, neighbors, or friends and enjoy the camaraderie of your fellow females as you wind your way through the city’s scenic downtown district to the finish line and to yet another achievement, “one that Nike, the goddess of speed, strength, and victory, would glorify.”
The Ann Arbor Goddess 5K and Mile Run/Walk is part of the Pure Michigan FITness Series of events and is endorsed by the Michigan Governor’s Council on Physical Fitness, Health, and Sports. The Ann Arbor Goddess 5K Course is also USATF certified.
Organizers tell MRG the event will fill up, so runners are encouraged to sign on earlier rather than later. For more details and to sign up, go here »
While I won’t be able to attend the Mother’s Day race year, I will be at the triathlon, of course, and also this fall’s American Home Fitness Detroit Goddess Half Marathon, 10K & 5K — the plan is to make this a mother-daughter weekend trip again, just Emma and me.
If you are able to participate in all three of these events, know that something special awaits: this special race medal:
I’m looking forward to receiving this medal after finishing Tri Goddess Tri:
Speaking of the triathlon, if you’re interested in joining me and want to be part of a Michigan Runner Girl Race Team, please email me at michiganrunnergirl [at] gmail [dot] com. I’d love to see a group of women come together to encourage one another leading up to race day, and then be there as Michigan Runner Girls on race day. Please let me know if you’re interested! Race day is June 26. I’ve only just begun my training, and I’m a Tri newbie through and through — if you’ve ever wanted to give this a go yourself, it’s a perfect time to do so!
