Last year, around the same time, I had a post called Chris McCormack and the Appreciation Lunch so I figured copying the title would make things easier! 

I attended the lunch last year as I was working as an endurance events volunteer for various charities (Girls on the Run, etc) but I was there to represent the Lower East Side Girls Club. This time around, I was there to represent the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (Team in Training!). The Luncheon, that is hosted at the Harvard Club, celebrates the charities that fundraise through endurance events. My type of crowd! 

Fun bunch. And the people I see all the time. At races, at events, and that I work with! And there were some great speakers!

Just like last year we had Macca, this year we had Chrissie!! She was phenomenal!!!! John Korff, of Korff enterprises (he is a ROCKSTAR, I work with him a lot, he is the race director for the NYC Tri and the the NYC Ironman!) interviewed her on stage. She talked about how she doesn’t want to do a marathon “it starts too early! If it started later, I could do a swim and bike before!”. 

She did a 2:40 marathon, and that was within an Ironman, so he asked what he thought she could do if she really trained for a marathon. She said probably around 2:30. I think faster! She talked about her new book, how it describes her philosophy and it seemed to really align with all that I believe in. She thinks you always need to shoot for the stars, to not let fear stop you and that yes, we are all scared, but you do not want to live thinking ”what IF” I had done that. I hate the what ifs too. She was amazing and inspirational.

Mary Wittenberg talked too, of course, and I recruited Matt Long to invite her to our Team in Training Fall Kick Off. Matt said yes and I figured I could use him to lure her in.. and how could anyone say no to Matt?!?! He’s amazing. He even lined up to get a book signed by Chrissie. Love him!!!

I talked to her for a bit. I talked super fast because I had really nice things to say and I always think those things are uncomfortable for people to hear. And she has this amazing amazing SWEET smile and huge grin, and super happiness and personality. The kind of people I like. Chrissie and I could be great friends.

Chrissie Wellington and the Appreciation Lunch