Past Races

Jenny Marshall

Chicago, Illinois

I would rather fail over and over then live with the regret of never having tried. I have been running for the past 20 years, swimming for the past 13 years, and after losing my Dad unexpectedly 3 years ago, I signed up for my first triathlon - Ironman 70.3 Atlantic City. The fear of losing or failing holds people back from realizing their full potential. I didn't know it at the time, but prior to my Dad dying I was guilty of living a life just shy of my full potential; because if I never put my full heart on the line I would never be at risk of disappointment or failure. As cliche as it sounds, losing my Dad reminded me that tomorrow is never guaranteed. It was a wake up call I didn't know I needed. These days, I set hard goals for myself. Goals that once seemed impossible. I write them down and I say them out loud so I can be held accountable. Sometimes I hit these goals and sometimes I don't. No matter what the outcome, I keep returning to the starting line to try again. Crossing the finish line at that first 70.3 reminded me that I can do hard things. Crossing the finish line at Ironman Indiana last year was the proudest moment of my life. It ignited a fire in me that I didn't know existed, and it taught me that no matter how hard something might feel in the moment, if you keep moving forward you will survive. I love this sport and I never take for granted how lucky I am to have a body and spirit that allows me to keep doing something that I love so much.