Transcript
Rich: Welcome to episode 556 of the Grit to Greatness Endurance Podcast. We're your hosts, coaches Rich Soares and Kristen Overton, and we are on a mission to help endurance athletes train smarter, race stronger, and build the grit it takes to achieve greatness.
Rich: Kayo, over to you.
Kristin Overton: Yeah. Today we are joined by one of my favorite people, Anna Marie Bullier, whose story challenges one of the biggest limiting beliefs in endurance sports, that major athletic goals are only for younger athletes.
Kristin Overton: Anna Marie has spent years balancing motherhood, career demands, and family responsibilities before deciding to gradually level up her endurance journey. after completing her first 70 .3 at 59.
Kristin Overton: She has now set her sights on a much bigger challenge, Ironman Lake Placid 2027. Woo -woo! We'll explore how she makes training fit into a busy life, what inspired her dream to be. to dream bigger after 60 and why her motivation is always centered on family gratitude and honoring the examples set by her parents rather than chasing personal glory.
Kristin Overton: Excited to have you here, Annemarie.
Rich: Was it?
Annamarie : I'm very excited to be here. Thank you so much for having me.
Rich: We've been wanting to hear this story for a while. so and i we really wonder audience to hear this because This really does provide kind of an inspiring look at what it takes to. you know still chase ambitious goals. I hear too many people say. I'm too old to do that or, you know.
Rich: and And by the way, I'm like just a couple of years behind you. I'm turning 59 next week.
Annamarie : yeah
Rich: So I'm like, I need this to get around the 60 corner. So. Through Annemarie's journey, you guys are going to hear. That. you know, Endurance success is less about age and more about your mindset.
Rich: consistency and purpose. And we're going to explore how athletes. Like her and you can. it can continue to evolve and grow. Challenge yourselves. Balanced careers.
Rich: Family obligations. uh the realities of yeah things start slowing down a little bit and most importantly this conversation highlights how to have a meaningful why all through your life So.
Rich: KO.
Kristin Overton: awesome so yeah i mean whether you're you know you're considering your first triathlon thinking about moving up to longer distances or wondering if it's too late to chase a dream race.
Kristin Overton: this episode is absolutely designed to encourage you to think you know bigger and you know don't Don't limit yourself. you can You can go big no matter. where you are on the calendar.
Rich: And go long. Iron Man.
Kristin Overton: And go long.
Rich: Wow.
Annamarie : Yeah.
Kristin Overton: Yeah.
Rich: Right. Wow.
Kristin Overton: Yeah.
Annamarie : Yeah.
Kristin Overton: Bringing it.
Rich: Well, Now, listen, Annemarie is the highlight of this show, but we still want to give a shout out to a few of our other Grit to Greatness athletes who are racing this weekend. We've got Nitu and Marcy both racing Boulder Sunset this weekend. Tomorrow, actually going to be up there getting up to crack it on.
Rich: uh and then we got paul hunziker doing the bonnie lake triathlon on Saturday on Sunday, rather. And then happy birthday to Jessica Kress. uh august oh yeah today is Jessica's birthday.
Kristin Overton: Happy birthday, Jess.
Rich: Happy birthday. It's also my daughter's birthday.
Annamarie : Perfect.
Rich: right that The reason we're doing this at four o 'clock is because I'm going to a birthday party right after this.
Kristin Overton: Fantastic.
Annamarie : Have fun.
Rich: And then we've got Cheryl Tracy. Happy birthday, September 3rd. Listen, folks, if you're new to Great to Greatness, you don't need to be coached to be a part of this great community. If you're looking for support, inspiration, and a group of athletes who truly understand what it's like to balance work.
Rich: Chase. Chase big goals like endurance sports. We'd love to meet you. Come. Check us out. Go to our community page, meet some of our athletes and. With that, you're going to meet.
Rich: Anne Marie right now.
Kristin Overton: Alright. Right. So, yeah, I mean, before we we start drilling you with questions, Anna Marie, we're going to have a little bit of fun. So, you know, as as you know, and a lot of our listeners know, we...
Annamarie : okay
Kristin Overton: bring on a new guest and you know just to kind of do a little warm -up do two truths and a lie so we want you to give give us two things that are true about you and one thing that is not true and then rich and i have to Guess the lie.
Annamarie : okay
Kristin Overton: Rich has got his pen and paper out. He is ready to go. He's going to study these things hard and and make some sort of educated debt guess.
Rich: Serious, man.
Annamarie : Okay. So I was a cheerleader in high school. I was a very much a tomboy growing up as a little girl.
Annamarie : And one of the items on my bucket list is to be a cook for climbers at base camp at Mount Everest.
Kristin Overton: Wow, Anna Marie, I think maybe you have me stumped.
Annamarie : That was the goal.
Kristin Overton: And I know. I know a lot about you. But I'll let Rich go first.
Rich: All right. So. You know. I am analytical here. I'm thinking there's some incongruence between the cheerleader and the tomboy. now maybe that's intentional or you know maybe that's you know not so intentional The cook.
Rich: for Base camp. For Basecamp... everest that is so dang intriguing i so want it to be true i'm going to say that that's a truth And then that means that either the tomboy or the cheerleader is a.
Rich: lie And I'm going to go with the cheerleader is the lie because I just, I just got this feeling that maybe the tomboy is like. where some of this grit comes from. so cheerleaders to lie in my book.
Kristin Overton: I love how you broke that down, Rich. You know, i so I'm sort of feeling the same way. like i'm i like Listen, Anna Maria is like the biggest cheerleader.
Kristin Overton: for like our team, for her kids, for... Everybody. But somehow I just. I just feel like. She wasn't a cheerleader.
Kristin Overton: So I'm going with that. And i I need to hear more about the base camp cooking.
Rich: o Two of us. All right.
Kristin Overton: So even if it is a lie, like I want to know where that.
Rich: You got to make it up.
Kristin Overton: came from yeah exactly
Rich: really expand on this.
Kristin Overton: Yeah, exactly.
Rich: Yeah.
Kristin Overton: Exactly. That's where we're at.
Annamarie : Well... A point for you guys. I was not a cheerleader in a high school. I wanted to be and it tried out and didn't. Didn't make the squad. And. joint cross country instead, go figure. And who knows what... what
Annamarie : to kick that off. I was very much a tomboy as a little girl. My mother put me in dresses all the time and I would skin my knees and, you know, go to little birthday parties. And I was very much a tomboy. And I have always wanted to, you know, I love hiking in the outdoors and, but I have a little bit of a fear of heights. So I'd love to support other climbers as they, like you know, pursue their dreams and just be a cook and take care of people and be at base camp. So I i don't know if that'll ever happen, but that is definitely a bucket list item.
Annamarie : So point for you guys.
Kristin Overton: That's how you become a cheerleader for others is you know, you can And cheer for them.
Annamarie : Yeah. yeah Yes.
Rich: One of my former hosts for this show years ago. just did an experience staying at base camp for one week She's done several Ironman races.
Rich: This was harder than an Ironman.
Annamarie : Getting there or? being there.
Rich: being there.
Annamarie : Really?
Rich: being there.
Kristin Overton: wow
Rich: the the lack of oxygen the cold it's like it just gets to like she just said it just gets to you
Annamarie : Yeah.
Rich: Just...
Annamarie : Interesting. I have to learn more. Maybe I have to talk to her.
Rich: Wow.
Kristin Overton: Yeah there you go.
Rich: Cool. That's awesome.
Annamarie : That's fine.
Kristin Overton: That was good.
Rich: Well, let's roll
Kristin Overton: Nice job, Henry.
Annamarie : but there
Rich: Now, now you, yeah all right. So now I get a little bit of insight here. Cross country runner in high school, always been a runner. Long before triathlon. What did running give you back?
Rich: When your kids were young. And. what made it the thing that you held on to for yourself for a while while you're raising four of them
Annamarie : Yeah. And by the way, running cross country. in junior high and high school I wasn't very good at it got lost a few times I was Back of the pack. So didn't always find my way right away.
Annamarie : you know You know, we had our kids came very quickly. They were very close in age, at least the three boys were. We have three boys and a girl. And it really was after our daughter was born that she was the baby that I just needed. You know, for any of the moms out there, you feel touched out. You know, you've got children on you all the time. And and because they came fast, it was just, you know, it was just a really hectic time. So I discovered that if I could go out and go for a walk in the mornings just before anyone was awake or needed me.
Annamarie : that that was my time. And that led to, you know, a flat the, you know, a local. 5k race and I walked, ran that first one and just.
Annamarie : I was that was it. I was hooked. And it just gave me the opportunity to just touch base with me. Maybe meditation of sorts is what it became over time and over the years. But i I was a better person when I got that run in for, you know, the family. I came back. Nobody was awake. I could just get the house started. And it was a busy household. It was hectic. But that was just what I did for me. And it really. carried me through some really difficult times. you know, later in life, just having that time in the morning to just prepare for whatever the day had, you know, in store. And some people like to
Annamarie : decompress at the end of the day. For me, it was that morning, you know, moment. And you know oftentimes accompanied by a sunrise or you know whatever it is that just makes it that much more. meaningful and and and spiritual in some ways. so
Rich: Yeah.
Kristin Overton: Yeah.
Rich: I love that.
Kristin Overton: i often I often get a sunrise picture from Ann Marie in the morning, which is amazing.
Annamarie : Yeah.
Kristin Overton: Yeah. And, and you know. that that's That's a lot of the reason that that people run or or do triathlon. you know just gives them that that outlet that they they need that you know mental stressor etc
Annamarie : e
Kristin Overton: So, you know, I know, you know, you started running, you've been running a lot. You've actually, you know, you've you've done half marathons, marathons. How did running turn into triathlon?
Kristin Overton: And, you know, was swimming and biking always in the mix or did that come later? And, you know. what and then you know once you sort of started doing that what it kept you kind of at that sprint race distance uh.
Kristin Overton: for so long
Annamarie : Yeah. I was, you know, doing marathon running and I had a marathon running buddy. And I think we both thought, you know, we spend summers together down at a little place here in Connecticut. And we said, let's do something different. There's this local triathlon. Do you know what that is? What is that? You know, let's let's just go and do it. and We had so much fun training together and on race day.
Annamarie : You know, pure joy is is what comes to mind when we both. were at the finish line and couldn't believe we had no idea what we were doing. We had showed up with like a mountain bike. I think she had like a, like a.
Annamarie : banana handle bike. We had no idea what we were doing, but we had so much fun. And it really just became like the fun thing we did every summer. like That was the extent of it. We were runners, but it was just this fun thing we would prepare for and train for. It seemed like every year we had a beautiful... Kristen knows this course really well. We had a beautiful Sunday morning, you know, weather race day and just was the fun thing, you know, that we did. It was never meant to be anything more than that. I don't even think.
Annamarie : I mean, I think I knew what Ironman was, or long distance, long course was. but That was it. That was the extent of it. Just kept doing that every year.
Annamarie : And I, i was not a swimmer. I mean, my parents made sure i I would never drown. I could fall off a boat. I could fall into a pool. I would be fine. I could infect for the sprints. It was just this very modified little breaststroke took me quite a bit of time to get out of the water. I was usually last, getting out or almost last.
Annamarie : But, But... you know, did the trick for that fun little sprint triathlon. And, I always, you know, was on bikes growing up as a, as a child and as a tomboy. And, my husband and I got mountain bikes when we got married because he was not a runner. and,
Annamarie : So it was never anything other than just fun, you know, fun swimming and fun, fun riding. So not anything. Not even for cross training, for marathon. I just never really did that.
Kristin Overton: I like the... overwhelming theme of fun.
Annamarie : Yes. fun.
Kristin Overton: which I mean. That's what triathlon should be.
Rich: you
Kristin Overton: It should be fun all the time.
Annamarie : Always.
Rich: It's like...
Kristin Overton: Maybe. Maybe it's not all the time, but...
Rich: It's like adult reset. It's like an adult recess, you know?
Annamarie : yeah
Kristin Overton: Okay. Yeah, it just. you know
Rich: We get a break from all the the realities of life.
Kristin Overton: Yeah.
Rich: And Maria Gloss do over something a minute ago, really important. I want to back up and I want you to help me. Put a little... Put a few you details together. Got four kids. Let's give them a shout out.
Rich: What are their names? What are their ages?
Annamarie : i
Rich: And really, you know, in a sentence, what do they do?
Annamarie : Oh my gosh. Yes. Jonathan is our oldest. He is married to our beautiful daughter -in -law, Maria. They are both 33. Spencer and his lovely girlfriend, Nadia, live up in Canada, up in Halifax. and Tyler is our youngest son. You'll hear about Tyler later. He is our youngest son. He's 20.
Annamarie : eight actually almost 29, and he lives down in Philadelphia. And. Christina is our daughter. She's 24, and she's spending the year in Switzerland as an au pair before she goes back to graduate school. so And the boys all have different... professions in real estate. And our son who's living up in Halifax is going back to school to to be a teacher. He wants to teach in Canada. And Tyler works for Penn Medicine as a...
Annamarie : health health information management.
Rich: Well, congratulations. That's... It's amazing launching four kids and they sound like they're all like super successful. Right.
Annamarie : They're doing great.
Rich: There's a lot. of yeah and and
Annamarie : You're doing great.
Rich: Yeah. And.
Kristin Overton: amazing family.
Rich: in
Annamarie : They're amazing.
Rich: Well...
Annamarie : They really are. just They're the reason for everything I do. And my husband, of course, is amazing as well. He's the best, best surfer there is out there. Next to Terry.
Rich: You know, let's... You got to give, you got to give his name a shout out to now.
Annamarie : Oh, John. Sorry, John.
Rich: Yeah, there we go.
Annamarie : We've been married for, we'll be married 36 years in December.
Rich: Okay, good.
Rich: Congratulations. That's amazing.
Annamarie : Thank you. Yeah, he's wonderful. he's been rock solid number one fan from the very beginning, even that triathlon, that very first one, you know, none of us knew what it was. And, and,
Annamarie : He couldn't believe I didn't know how to swim for real. I'll never forget that. First time he saw me training to swim, but because he comes from a family of swimmers, but supportive. all the way through to today couldn't be it Couldn't do it without him.
Rich: I also understand that you've had quite a career as a healthcare leader, right?
Annamarie : yeah yeah yeah i i am very very very fortunate and blessed to have a job that i absolutely love
Rich: Yeah.
Annamarie : for a children's health system here in Connecticut. and it Truly is. you know To be able to wake up and go to work no matter how how stressful it is and work for a mission that supports kids and families is is pretty special. I consider myself very, very blessed.
Annamarie : Because we spend a lot of time doing that.
Rich: That's awesome.
Annamarie : I mean, it's kind of a 24 -7 job at this point. So it really, I'm glad I love it as much as I do.
Rich: And yet you find time.
Annamarie : Yeah.
Rich: To go. longer. tell like what is that what like How hard was that to like make that decision, to make that big of a commitment? and and how has that been like how has that journey been like the good bad and the ugly you know
Annamarie : Yeah. Well, first, I have to say, you know, my children are grown. You know, the the baby is 24. She's living, you know, abroad. She probably, you know, maybe would.
Annamarie : be at home at some point, but they no longer need, you know, the the care that you. that they needed at one point when, you know, it's a busy household and it's meals and it's activities and all of that. And I, I just want to. give a huge shout out to the moms and dads out there who are juggling young families and training.
Annamarie : And, you know, you see it when you go to the events and you see, you know, the the parent that's not racing. juggling the kids while, you know, the athletes out there racing. And and that's just one day and they're doing that. you know throughout the year and throughout training season. So huge shout out to them. What I do in comparison is is nothing really because the only...
Annamarie : you know It's just John and I here at home. and We both have pretty you know busy jobs, but and there's only so many. movies you can watch or walks you can take. so training and and making the decision to you know to go into something that required much more time and intensity. is really...
Annamarie : It's, it's. It... we we have the luxury of time, if you want to call it that, that, you know, we certainly, I certainly. would never have been able to juggle all of that when the kids were small and find time to train and, you know, work as well. So huge shout out to the, to the families out there.
Kristin Overton: Yeah, but that's great. Thank you for doing that because, yeah, you know, it's wonderful. any Any additional responsibility anybody has, just... makes those stakes a little bit higher and a little bit harder to to make it happen right
Annamarie : Yeah. For sure.
Annamarie : For sure.
Kristin Overton: You know, do you find that there was there was anything? specific like, you know, as you were deciding to like, okay. I'm going to do this 70 .3.
Kristin Overton: And as you started training, like, was there some sort of eye opening experience? Like, wow. this is This is a lot more than training for that that sprint. you know I mean... any specific obstacles or things that you felt like, Oh, I really have to kind of rearrange my life a little bit for this.
Annamarie : Oh, yeah. Well, at first, i you know I have to say, you know the decision to do that. So our third son, Tyler, he he i started he started running marathons with me, actually. And we did two or three marathons together. And then one day, he just decided he was going to do Ironman Lake Placid. And he had never done a sprint. He had never done anything. and And.
Annamarie : you know, I... I couldn't even get my head around what he was embarking on, you know, when he was single and and had the time and did all all the things. And and so watching him sort of gave me a little bit of glimpse into what it would take.
Annamarie : to do anything more than a sprint. And it really, you know, when he talked about signing up for a second, Iron Man.
Annamarie : in Lake Placid and I had watched the first one and I just completely fell in love with it the vibe all of it and I thought when he signed up for a second one I thought I have got to try something along those lines, you know, so making that decision And then figuring out how to.
Annamarie : fit all of that in and, and, you know, coach, if it wasn't for you, Kristen, you know, turning me on to TriDot and your calm and okay, it's a lot to fit in. How are you going to do it? And the technology that supports all of it, you know, that was, that was a huge adjustment. I don't know what was harder finding the time to.
Annamarie : get the training in or figuring out all the technology and everything that supports it so that you're doing the things, doing doing the right training, right. The mornings were easy to fit in. I was always a morning person. The morning runs, I just added on to that and made that go longer before work. The evenings were harder because you know my job, I do often have to work in the evenings and then trying to figure out how to still get in an easy ride or some strength training. or you know and then
Annamarie : you know, work travel. So now I've got to double up and, you know, more evenings of of juggling. So the evenings were harder, but the mornings, whatever I could fit into the morning, somehow that's how I made. that Like that worked and then I would you know figure it out, but it took several months I think to get into that groove of fitting it.
Annamarie : fitting it all in and still, you know. finding time to to to work obviously, and also sleep a little bit, which would be. Good. It'd be helpful.
Kristin Overton: Sleep is always helpful.
Annamarie : Yeah.
Kristin Overton: I just I don't want to skip over this because I think this story is so great. when you decided like, okay, yeah, i really I really want to do this. I really want to do a 70 .3.
Kristin Overton: you know, how can I make this happen? What did your family... tell you.
Annamarie : So my family, again, my husband, they've always been so supportive. Right. My very first New York City my marathon, you know. pictures of them in central park like they've just always been there always been cheerleaders And like I said, when Tyler signed up for his second Ironman, and I thought before he goes on that. you know, stands on that beach, a Mirror Lake, I've got to try something like this. So I shared it with the family. I said, what if I do a half Ironman?
Annamarie : And they were all like, absolutely mom, but you. like unconditionally a non -negotiable condition of us supporting you is you have to learn how to swim for real. Because I think they got tired. I learned later of watching me do the triathlon and always look like I was drowning because it was just like my way of swimming. I was fine, but they just. And they thought you just can't, you cannot.
Annamarie : If you want us to support you, you have to take swim lessons. And it just so happened. at the local triathlon that i've been talking about that i met coach ko there was a little thing of cards right there and i took it and i looked up and she was smiling and and that was it it was a match made in heaven and And the first thing she needed to do was figure out how to teach me how to swim because I really.
Annamarie : Wouldn't drown, but very different then. knowing how to swim for a 70 .3 so And then they were very, very supportive from that moment on.
Kristin Overton: and
Kristin Overton: You did absolutely amazing
Annamarie : yeah
Kristin Overton: your You're a good student, Anna Marie.
Annamarie : Still working on it, but yeah.
Kristin Overton: And clearly you've been making making strides.
Annamarie : That's fun.
Kristin Overton: Monthly. in in your swim and everything else.
Annamarie : It was fun.
Kristin Overton: amazing yeah i just i just you just needed to share that
Rich: That's awesome.
Kristin Overton: yeah
Rich: What's the hardest part? I mean, you know is it the physical part is the mental part or is it just all the dang logistics you know fitting all the big rocks in the jar
Annamarie : For me, I would say that's a really good question. I think logistically, again, you know we have... flexibility work is is sort of our number one because the children are so scattered. You know, we make sure we.
Annamarie : we find our family time, but it's they're not local where it's every day. There's something that we're doing together. Certainly that would change things. And, you know, a little secret, if if the grandchildren should start to come along, that might change things also in terms of time availability. but Logistics.
Annamarie : i I can make it work. and And again, John's very supportive. So the logistics, it's not easy and there's a lot of juggling, but I can make it work. I think. I think my struggle. Especially you know as I...
Annamarie : look at you know, bigger. bigger goals ahead. It's... And certainly I need to get stronger physically. I need to get stronger to do some of the goals that I have ahead for me. but But mentally, you know, i I have to I have to really work hard at it. at cutting down the the negative self -talk and, you know, really I have to get stronger physically, but I have to really dig deep and just keep that.
Annamarie : courage up. You know, we all have that imposter syndrome, right? It's all, you know, living living there, you know, somewhere inside all of us at some point, sometimes some more than others. And I really, I have to work at that, especially as I've set some of these goals for next year. I know that that will be as hard for, harder for me probably than the physical because I'm never afraid of the physical. I might not be able to always achieve what I want to. And sometimes I fall short of those goals. But. It's the...
Annamarie : I think that... that just staying positive. And working on that daily.
Rich: Do you mind just like sharing? Cause I think that's an important thing for people to hear, right? You know, the. Because we I'm terrible to myself. like you know the the way i would talk to myself i would never talk to anybody else like that Right.
Annamarie : Right here. Right.
Rich: Is it? Is it? what's What's the trigger that you're you makes you aware that you need to change that? the script with yourself.
Annamarie : You know, I think and And I'm drawing a blank because I wrote this quote down.
Annamarie : And he's a coach, maybe from Ireland. He said something like, comparison is the thief of joy.
Rich: Yes. Yeah.
Annamarie : Right. And I wish I could remember his name because I just love that so much. i
Rich: I think it's Bobby McGee.
Annamarie : Compare myself. Mmm.
Rich: I know I've heard Bobby McGee say that.
Annamarie : have Have you heard him say that?
Kristin Overton: Yeah.
Annamarie : Okay. Okay.
Kristin Overton: Yeah.
Annamarie : i
Rich: He says it is it's a mental skills thing for running.
Annamarie : Okay, okay.
Rich: Yeah.
Annamarie : I think that, you know.
Rich: So don't compare yourself to anybody else.
Annamarie : And so in so many things, right, even, you know, race morning, we tell ourselves, don't listen to what anybody else is doing. Just stay in your, like you know, stay focused on what you're doing. But for me, you know, I'm surrounded by.
Annamarie : such incredibly strong you know, focused, determined. Sp - athletes. And I never consider myself an athlete. I never have. Even you know as a marathon runner, it's just what I do. And I'm surrounded by...
Annamarie : Coach KO and all of our G2G and Team KO. athletes and strong women that are, and and men, but, and it's just like, oh my gosh, I.
Annamarie : How did they do that? I want to do that. And and i'm I'm actually doing it, but I forget that I'm doing it or or working towards that. And I just, you know, have to remind myself I started later. you know, I've got a lot of work to do, but I can do it if I stay focused. because otherwise the spiral is the opposite is I will never be able to do. And I just, I just have to stay like.
Annamarie : reminding myself I can do anything I put my mind to, but. it's it's you know, i I guess I just prevent myself from that negative spiral and I know I'm capable of going into that negative spiral. So I just try to catch it, you know, again, that, that imposter syndrome and that can sneak in anywhere as you know, at work.
Annamarie : in our training and our racing, you know, as parents, perhaps, you know, it it can happen anytime. So I'm just aware of that and try to really sort of. Keep that part quiet and just stay positive.
Annamarie : I'm a pretty uppy person, I think, for the most part. And then sometimes I get in my own head and I'm like, no, no, that's not how I want to be.
Rich: I felt your positive.
Kristin Overton: Absolutely. Yeah.
Rich: vibe and aura the moment you... Well, actually, the moment you reach for help to get out of the podcast, but now even, you know.
Annamarie : Yeah.
Kristin Overton: yeah
Annamarie : Technical difficulties.
Kristin Overton: For sure one one of the most positive people I know for sure and you know, even though you get in your head a little bit
Annamarie : yeah
Kristin Overton: you know just the perseverance and the strength that you have. and You know, sometimes you forget that, right? We all do. and you know and that it's important to have people that you surround yourself with to remind you.
Kristin Overton: that you know you are strong and and you're just as strong as any one of the rest of us physically and mentally.
Annamarie : Yeah, and and you know what I'll add also, and and you know Kristen knows this, i I had... This is my third year of doing. sort of this you know long course not just that fun summer triathlon and I had said from the beginning of the year that I wanted to
Annamarie : lose my beginner mindset and and just by telling myself that I'm not a beginner anymore and I actually know more than I'm giving myself credit for that really helped me and it's helped me in a a couple of different you know
Annamarie : like situations or trying to figure things out. I'm like, I actually know the answer to this, or I know how to solve for this. I know how to, you know, sort of read what, what my body's telling me and that just telling myself to lose that mindset has given me permission to be a little bit more bold and and think more.
Annamarie : you know sort of bigger picture And. And as I think about some of these bigger goals, i've I've actually said, well, why not me? You know, and that's actually really helped me also, because having watched some of these races, a lot of these races. And you you just see the determination and the grit. It's physical, certainly, but it's.
Annamarie : mental and it's just grit. And I'm like, why not me? I can i can get to that place and I can do this too. so that just You know, those kinds of. reminders have been really helpful.
Kristin Overton: let's Let's take you back to kind of... one of those beginner places. where you're at Mont -Tremblant. for your first 70 .3. And.
Kristin Overton: what What did that finish line mean to you? You know, knowing everything it took to get you there and, you know. who and what were you thinking about when you cross that finish line and like wow I did something big today.
Annamarie : Yeah. Oh, my gosh. That finish line was. amazing. I had such a range of feelings, you know, I mean, my family was there, my friends were there, my coach was there. I...
Annamarie : i I had so much gratitude for what my body had just done. Like I had strength to get up those those hills and finish the bike in time. Oh, by the way, after all the stress about the swim, the swim was canceled. It was the it was the most hectic. First.
Annamarie : ever race weekend. You know, it was my first time and it was really hectic. Everything that could have gone wrong went wrong. And then the swim was canceled. But that was okay because the finish line was. It was just incredible. And it was just. Love and gratitude, joy, that same joy I felt on that beach after that first triathlon times a million, you know, and.
Annamarie : I just, I think disbelief a little bit. I just, I couldn't believe it. and Just. just joy and gratitude, I think sums it all up because everyone was there that mattered, you know, in that moment.
Kristin Overton: So awesome. It was a great day. Rainy, cold.
Annamarie : That's a good day. Rainy cold, yeah.
Kristin Overton: Like the the worst rich the worst conditions you could ever wish for for your first 70 .3 was what Anna Marie conquered that day. And even not doing the swim, just getting through all of that was...
Kristin Overton: Absolutely amazing.
Annamarie : And my husband fell very ill in the hotel, so he... just all of a sudden was out of the picture and then just out of like miracle, like a miracle coach KO shows up. so it was, it was just an interesting first. time out of the gate.
Rich: And you're coming back for more and going bigger.
Annamarie : Yeah. Yeah.
Rich: What is wrong with you? No, i' just kidding.
Annamarie : Yeah.
Rich: No, it's it it. You know, listen, this is. It's quite something to persevere, you know, and carry on and figure out a way. And yeah some of the things that you look back and you're like.
Rich: How in the world did I get through that? But that starts to carve this. stronger. more confident. person that goes forward. And you're getting stronger.
Rich: Every year. You're now 61. You're doing Ironman. Lake Placid. In 27, you'll be 61 on race day.
Annamarie : I'll be 62 on race day.
Rich: 62 on race day. Not scaling back, going bigger. What is making you... Think about doing it right now. and Was your, you know.
Rich: Why now?
Annamarie : Why now? So. So a couple of things. One, this sweatshirt is Ironman Lake Placid. It's not Stolen Valor. I'm not trying to pass off like I've done it. But this was Tyler's, my son Tyler. His name is on the back. It was his first one in 2022. And like I said, I just I love the vibe and everything about it. And I just had to be a part of that in some way. And it's taken me a few years to get to the point where I.
Annamarie : i could I could make that jump. and And as Kristen knows, I've been talking about it for a while, but the prop I was talking about earlier. So I have a journal. I always write my quotes and just good training day, bad training day, some, you know, thoughts, but a lot of just like.
Annamarie : quotes and and things that oftentimes I'll go back throughout the whole season and then write them race week, like want a different quote every day just to kind of keep me in the mindset that I want to be in. And in January, there was this I have a running calendar on my desk at work.
Annamarie : And it says, if you can dream it, you can do it. sign up for that race. And this was in January. So I had been talking about Lake Placid for a while. Tyler was doing his third Ironman. Iron Man, like Placid. He just did that last month. And so I thought this is the year I'm just doing it. I'd watched, you know, friends and teammates sign up and and and do their first Lake Placid last year. and You know, people have said, do an easier one. It's going to be hard for your first. and
Annamarie : This is the one. This is the one I want. I've been dreaming about it for a while. And and so. I... I just... I was excited to go. up to Lake Placid for Tyler and sign up while I was there.
Annamarie : In fact, I was.
Rich: awesome
Annamarie : So excited to do it. And then they didn't have it. sign ups They just did sign -ups differently this year or something changed in their strategy. so I wasn't able to do it, but I. Just.
Annamarie : was bursting at the seam to do it. i I just couldn't wait. And, and you know, when something like that is sort of brewing for a while and you finally are like, this is the moment. I wanted to feel that excitement. before actually taking the step. And, and I knew it was just the right time. And it's going to be really, really hard, I know. But I'm here for it, you know, whatever, whatever that means to get stronger.
Annamarie : get up those hills, get the courage to go down the big hills in Lake Placid, but I'm here for it, and I have a good good partner. So. Good question.
Rich: You do. and What amazing inspiration. Right. taking inspiration from your kids.
Kristin Overton: Absolutely.
Annamarie : Yes.
Rich: Wow.
Annamarie : Yeah.
Kristin Overton: Yeah.
Annamarie : And they're all in, they're like, this is, they're very excited too. So.
Rich: All right. Speaking of being all in, y 'all in for some fun? You both?
Annamarie : Yes.
Rich: All right, let's do it.
Kristin Overton: Yeah, we let's let's do it.
Rich: This is our fun segment.
Annamarie : Okay.
Rich: It's going to be what's your what's your why. It's a whimsical multi -choice. on motivation at 60. It's a light, silly, quick fire segment.
Rich: And it's just gonna be, we're gonna just give you two quick ones, okay? So here we go. I'm gonna i'm gonna hit you first. Then KO is going to get you with number two. If your motivation at 60 were an animal. what would it be?
Rich: a phoenix obviously rising from the ashes of every previous excuse. A mama bear because it it all traces back to family. A stubborn old mule who simply won't stop.
Rich: or a hummingbird small, relentless and caffeinated.
Annamarie : Mama bear, mama bear, mama bear. I have, people have given me like the mug, the shirts, you know, I've always been very, a very proud mama bear who will. Take out her claws if needed. So don't don't don't mess with the family. Don't don't come near the cubs.
Kristin Overton: Don't mess with Mama Bear.
Annamarie : That's right.
Kristin Overton: I love that. All right. So. But we're going to go to, so if your parents. could shout out one piece of encouragement to you at mile 20 of the marathon leg.
Kristin Overton: It would be. A. We always knew you had this in you. B, don't you dare walk, run like you stole something. C, we're timing you and grandma's watching.
Kristin Overton: Or D, something only your family would fully understand.
Annamarie : Oh my gosh, this is... i I did not give enough credit or shout out to my amazing parents who role modeled strength at every turn. And I wouldn't be who I am without them. so Yeah. I love them so much They, my parents, I think Knowing them, they're I'm first generation American. They came here from other countries. They grew up very simple lives. I don't think they'd even.
Annamarie : know what to say or do. I think that the the What would get me going at mile 20 is the look in their eyes and the pride and the love and the disbelief because it would be so foreign to them. And they were always so supportive no matter what it was and to understand. what that achievement is, a marathon, a you know, whatever it is. I think that it would just be the look on their faces that would. Take me that. final stretch of whatever.
Annamarie : you know distance They were they were amazing.
Annamarie : Now I'm going to go cry.
Kristin Overton: yeah
Rich: What a great way to end.
Kristin Overton: Awesome.
Rich: I mean, like if we can end on a tear.
Kristin Overton: ocar
Rich: Wow.
Annamarie : yeah
Kristin Overton: Yeah, that's
Rich: That's like a mic. That's a mic drop in the podcast world.
Kristin Overton: That's a mic drop for sure. Yeah.
Rich: uh, Anna Marie. uh this has been fantastic thank you for you know, just this is real, right? And
Annamarie : It's real. Yeah.
Rich: is really cool that... You're doing this and you're going to be an inspiration to others. And this is the impact you're going to have on others. And the impact. Honestly, that You know. your son had on you, you're now having on others. So this is really cool.
Annamarie : i And i just I just want to say to anyone who's, you know, sort of. you know, getting past those. Those decades fly by and, you know, if you've hit and hit your 60s and you're... thinking you know.
Annamarie : Oh, my gosh. Should I or can I? Absolutely. Yes. You know, don't let anyone. discourage you don't let anyone's judgment of what you can or can't do get in your head just say, why not me and just go do whatever it is you do you and just.
Annamarie : Don't look back 10 years from now and say, oh, but I could have done it then, you know, just go do. And have fun.
Rich: Yeah, with your...
Kristin Overton: That's it. Absolutely.
Rich: preparing for your first. sprint triathlon or have. gotten yourself to 70 .3 or chasing the iron man dream check out our community, be a part of this, be a part of these conversations with other people that are just like you that are trying to, you know, just trying to get through life and using endurance sport at a weight.
Rich: to do it. As always, this episode is brought to you by Vespa Endurance Nutrition. Vespa helps you tap into steady, clean energy so you can stay strong, focused, and in the zone longer.
Rich: Got a link here in the show notes. You're always going to save 15%. using the code G2GVESPA15. And of course, thank you for spending time with us today.
Rich: Thank you for listening to Anna Marie's story. Thank you, Anna Marie.
Annamarie : thank you
Rich: if you If you like, please follow us. Leave us a rating or a review on Apple Podcasts or YouTube. This helps us reach more athletes just like you.
Rich: And. Coach Gale, right? We're going to stay gritty. We're going to train smart and keep chasing greatness. And we will see you all next week.
Kristin Overton: Absolutely.
