BADASS SPOTLIGHT #1: I Almost Got KJ’d

Last week I decided to show up for the Bike Roswell Thursday Night Ride.  It has been at least 3 years since I’ve done a group ride– I simply do my own training alone or with one or two other guys– that’s it.  So since I’m essentially back to base training (and my coach is conveniently in Italy), I figured it would be a great time to try something new, FUN, and social.  Isn’t that what the group rides are all about? Fun and social? Chatty-Cathy-Pace?   I was sooooo DEAD-ASS-WRONG.   Because I have a wee problem with riding in big packs (I can already see an illustrious short-course pro duathlon career, ie. draft-legal) and because I just like riding out front, I quickly moved my way to the front and even more quickly noticed my heart rate was WAYYYY over 180.   Huh?  What happened to the CHILL GROUP RIDE?   Houston, we’ve got a problem.

Here in the ATL, there’s a phenomenon that’s happening at quite an alarming rate, and I’m coining a new phrase.  Nobody is safe from being KJ’d.  There is no vaccine or amount of praying that can shield you from it.  Getting KJ’d can happen to both genders of any age. 

I thought I was safe. Well, at least for a couple more years, anyway.  Then I found myself around Mile 6 on Thursday night, and it happened.  It felt surreal.  I was an outsider looking in.  Could this be happening? Am I really getting KJ’d?!!!

Getting KJ’d is not unlike “Getting Chicked”– you know, “Losing Your Man Card,” i.e. getting beat by a girl.  However, getting KJ’d can be far more detrimental to the fragile ego of ours, especially since the perpetrator, KJ, is none other than the FIFTEEN YEAR OLD KATIE JUNE.  Yes, 15.  However, the real damage began last year. This kid has been consistently placing at the top of local races and even owns a few overall titles.  The fact that her entire being weighs about as much as my right thigh is also a bit unnerving. Sure, she’s a superstar x-country stud at her school, but is that little pisher gonna beat me on the bike?! 

Now let me back up for a second.  I love Katie. I take a special interest in her and want the best for her in life and in triathlon– in that order.  Except, um, when she’s passing me on the bike.  That’s when I brought out the big guns (or big chain ring) and decided that little sh*t was going down.  hehehehehe….   (Katie you know I love you!!)

Katie is the most unpretentious, quiet, humble, and sweet girl I know in the sport, and has the unwavering support of her very proud and totally not overbearing parents.  She is incredibly driven in all areas of her life– not uncommon to most high-achieving athletes. Katie is an A-student and a role model to her peers and those kids just getting into the sport.  Honestly, the day I get truly KJ’d, I’ll be her biggest cheerleader.   I am already. 

But for the love of God, Katie, please . . . not on a group ride!!

Katie June is my first BADASS SPOTLIGHT athlete.  I plan to keep a very unregular schedule of BADASS SPOTLIGHTS whenever I run into one . . . or whenever one almost runs me down.

READ MORE ABOUT THE PINT-SIZED POWERHOUSE HERE

Big congratulations to Katie’s coach, Sport Factory coach Holly Marzetti, who has done a phenomenal job with Katie and other young athletes in bringing out their talent, drive, and keeping them level-headed at the same time.  Keep up the great work!

And for you, KJ . . . we are all so very proud of you for the gracious, sweet, and caring person that you are, and the athlete that you work so very hard to be.  Keep your priorities straight and your head in the right place, and there is NOTHING that you can’t accomplish.   So proud of you!!!