Skip to main content

#wcw #whywetri style: Meet Kelly

For this week's #wcw I would like to introduce you to my teammate and friend Kelly Riegel-Green.


Kelly is a fighter!  Kelly will be an Ironman!  Kelly's journey to Ironman is a lot different from many of ours.  Kelly has Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension and Occipital Neuralgia, and recently had a full hysterectomy to remove a tumor that did have cancer.  Kelly is a paratriathlete that has to overcome so much to even make it to the start line of each race!  During the race, she counts on teammates to guide her through each of the events because sometimes her neurological diseases cause partial blindness during the race.  

I am so honored to share her story, in her words:

1. When was your first tri (or when will it be), and what made you sign up?
I did my first tri as a relay in aug of 2013.  My first solo on was Aug/Sept 2015.  My first tri as a paratriathlete was July 2015 - caseville (99 days after my 8th brain surgery).  
At first it just seemed like it was one of those impossible things that really fit people could do…  After losing well over 100 pounds I had started biking and running and someone suggested a tri.   
During all the surgeries (8 brain surgeries in 104 day span plus lumbar, peritoneal (stomach) and brain drains, lumbar punctures) all I would do is focus on I want to be an ironman. I would walk the neuro ICU with a nurse and when they asked why I would keep pushing I would say I need to keep up my strength so I can be an ironman.

2. What motivates you to do triathlons?
So many things actually.  Showing my kids that you can!  “Beating” the fat girl I use to be- conquering overeating and anorexia .  Proving that even with 2 neurological diseases and being a paratriathlete is means I am in control of my health again.

3.  What races are on your bucket list?
MI titanium full ironman,  Marine Corp. marathon, quantico tri, army 10 miler…..   Paratriathlon olympic team for singapore 2020

4.  What race are you the most proud of?
Every race i do makes me proud for a different reason.   Be it learning something new about myself and what I can do,  meeting someone along the way that becomes a friend,  proving that I can go faster or longer than I thought, that i taught someone about paratriathletes or my conditions.  Or maybe that I raced with one of my kids.

5.  If you could race with one person, who would it be and why?
Just one?!! Yikes there are a few people I want to race with actually…
Dr. Boyd Richards- my neurosurgeon.. He is a runner and I just think it would be a great time.  He reminded me when i saw the first scars that “ironman trumps bikini model everyday”  and has always said  we will figure things out and he’ll help as much as he can to make my goal happen and me healthy
Jason Madaus because he’s constantly encouraged and listened to me and become a great friend but we live a few states away so haven’t met in person.
Bonnie Kissinger- my coach because it would be awesome to show her in person how much she’s helped me
Amy Dixon- because she’s an amazing triathlete and hopefully that means we are teammates on the olympic team for 2020 =)
Leslie Battle (though we technically have raced the same race recently LOL)  .. because she’s just a great person who has often helped keep my head on straight and focused.
John Hirsch- because again he has helped keep my head straight and reminded me of my goals and he’s freaking amazing athlete
Allen Moredock-  another go to person in my life for inspiration, focus and ideas but distance has prevented us from racing together.

There is a BIG list…=)  guess I better get to work and get more races on my schedule LOL  

Comments

  1. AllenJuly 11, 2016 at 5:37 PM

    Don't worry my dear... We will race together one day. Heck, I'm willing to learn to pilot a tandem :-)

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Sponsor-A-Mile: 70.3 World Championships in St. George, Utah

  It is almost time for the BIG ONE!  The race that I have been fundraising for and working towards since November of last year: the IRONMAN 70.3 World Championships in St. George, Utah!  As an Ironman Foundation Ambassador, all of my Ironman brand races have me RACING FOR MORE, but this one is the pinnacle.  I am proud to be representing IMF and all of the good that can come from their initiatives.  With that in mind, I am asking you to sponsor a mile during this race.   For each of my IRONMAN races this year, I have taken your inspiration and printed it on tattoo paper to put on my arms and legs so that I can see it while I am riding and running.  When the going gets tough, these notes remind me that I am doing the race for more than myself!   Will you consider sponsoring a mile to help MAKE AN IMPACT and leave a quote or advice to inspire me during 70.3 St. George on October 28, 2022? Here is how: 1.  Choose the mile(s) you'd like to sponsor below.   *link to this spreadsheet
Post a Comment
Read more

2022 White Lake Fall International Aquabike Race Report

  Pre-Race This was my third time racing at White Lake, but my first time in the fall and my first time doing it as an Aquabike.  Since it is only 1.5 hours from the house, I just drive over the morning of the event and have plenty of time to get set up and get my goals posted.  Here is what I posted this time:  I posted 3 goals, two that were time goals, because that is what I always do... but I wasn't totally transparent in the post.  I was doing this Aquabike race with ONE MISSION and that mission was to WIN! Earlier this year, I did my first Aquabike at the  Crystal Coast Half Booty  because a half marathon run was not smart that close to IM70.3 Virginia Blue Ridge, but I really wanted to do the race.  While the finish line experience for Aquabike is still not the same as triathlon, it planted a bug in my brain since I am strongest at swimming and biking and I won that race.  After chatting with friends that have been to WTC World's and stalking the USAT rankings , I knew
Post a Comment
Read more

Friday Fundraising Update: Weeks 22-27

  Week 22-27 Update: IM70.3 Virginia's Blue Ridge Sponsor-A-Mile : $25 Top In Topsail: Memorial Day Raffle : $1421 T-Shirt Sales: $12 Semper Sparkle Shop Shopping Fundraiser: $84 Online Donations : $307 Overall Total: $15,735 Fundraising Events (mark your calendars): Sponsor-A-Mile for IM70.3 Virginia's Blue Ridge ENDS JUNE 1ST! Top in Topsail: Memorial Day Raffle - ENDS MAY 29TH June Shopping Fundraiser - Best Friends Boutique with Lisa Niederberger.  Join the fb group to stay in the loop. 25% of each purchase is donated. T-Shirt Sales - Ongoing - https://www.bonfire.com/store/this-girls-got-goals/ How you can help: Participate in the events above and invite your friends to participate, too! Donate Funds: https://ironmanfoundation.donordrive.com/participant/Erin-Byrge I’m asking for $1 per mile for those who are able, that’s $70.3. However, there is no amount too big or small. All amounts are sacrificing something else in your life and for that, I am so grateful! Plea
Post a Comment
Read more