GOTRIbal Member Tory Kirkpatrick

GT: Where do you hang your helmet these days?

   Tory:I live in the wonderful sunny state of Arizona where you can train all year round!

 GT: How did you start your active lifestyle journey?

 Tory:  I started my journey when a friend of mine asked me if I wanted to do The Camp Pendleton Mud Run which is in Cali and a 10K.  I got hooked doing events from there, it was just doing 5k's, 10k's, I completed the 3 Day Susan G Koman Walk while I was 6 months preggo and I also did the 10k Mud Run in Camp Pendleton while 6 months preggo with my daughter.  Then in 2010, I found GOTRIbal and was hooked with the group, then I decided to sign up for a Triathlon class and completed my 1st Triathlon in 7/2010 and the rest is history and I have so much to look forward to and so many goals.  I completed my 1st Open Ocean Water Swim last year while in San Diego for the GOTRIbal Conference, it was very scary but such a wonderful experience (ps - I have a fear of sharks!!!!!) I have now completed 2 Half Marathons too.

GT: What's your favorite memory of the journey so far?

  Tory: My favorite memory of the journey so far is my 1st Tri with some of the GOTRIbal gals in Chino Valley, AZ.  It was so much fun and everyone supported everyone.  Great bunch of ladies!!!

GT: What's been the greatest benefit?

 Tory:   That I have more endurance and self confidence and that I can do it no matter my Athena size!!! It has been such a great journey so far doing Triathlons and meeting so many wonderful people along the way and know that they don't judge you, everyone supports eachother.

GT: How do you Pay it Forward to others who may not believe it's possible to take on such an active lifestyle?

Tory: I encourage them to believe in themselves and that they can do it.  I workout with them and push them a little farther if they don't think they can do it.

 GT:Why GOTRIbal for you?

  Tory: I just happened to cross paths with GOTRIbal looking for other sports to do.  I love the fact that it is a Women's Organization and there is such a wonderful support system and camaraderie between all the women.  I love it and hope to go to more of the Conference's and meet more women from the different Tribes!

GT: Share with us one goal you have for yourself in 2012 that you never thought you'd have as a goal 5 years ago.

Tory:  I would have never thought I would be able to call myself a TRIATHLETE but I can no matter the distance I have gone.  My goal for 2012 is to complete my 1st Half Ironman.  I will need to train hard but it will be a challenge with my family and my 2 young children but my daughter is already doing races and is behind me 100% and to see their faces is all worth it.

It was cute when I was watching IMAZ in 2010 and I was watching it on my computer and both my son & daughter ask me where I was in the race, it was just too cute.  My ultimate goal will be to complete a FULL Ironman by the time I am 40yrs old!