If you would have ever asked me, if I would compete in a competitive race, I would have laughed and said yeah right! So a few months ago when Alli Forsythe asked me to do the NAUTICA MALIBU TRIATHLON benefiting Children’s Hospital LA, I laughed, but she insisted she thought I could do it, and when you mention its for the kids, HOW DO YOU SAY NO! So I agreed and then began to panic. We all saw how I did in BATTLE OF THE NETWORKS STARS, so I was a little nervous. However, I decided to change my focus, instead of focusing on winning (THAT WAS NOT GOING TO HAPPEN), I just made it my mission to give it everything I had. So on Sunday I competed with the pros, alongside some of the strongest and the most competitive. Though I never expected to win, it was incredible to know that I COULD compete. For me, the race was a relay! The TRIATHLON consisted of a 1/2 mile swim in the ocean, 17 mile bike ride and then my portion, a 4 mile run. I have never run that far, so needless to say I was a little nervous, but I did it, not only did I do it, I RAN THE WHOLE 4 MILES! The key though, was my incredible team, our leader and true MVP ALLI FORSYTHE (she competed the day before, and then did the bike portion for our team and ran with me too), ALLYSSA ANDERSON (our swimmer, who popped onto our team last minute and KILLED IT) and to our favorite CHEERLEADER CAROLINE BURCKLE (who got sidelined with an injury and begrudgingly sat on the sideline but came to cheer us on). These ladies all embody true athleticism, CAROLINE and ALLYSSA are OLYMPIC CHAMPIONS, and ALLI competes against the best, she is the epitome of a rock star! So needless to say I felt like a fish out of water, but these lovely ladies could not have been kinder, they welcomed me with open arms, they encouraged me, they pushed me to do my best and I cannot thank them enough for the love.
TEAM 7th Heaven
Beverley Mitchell and Alli Forsythe
This is after we finished the run! I was so grateful to have ALLI run alongside me and encourage me the whole way. To be able to be coached and pushed when I needed it was a true blessing because man it was tough!
BEVERLEY MITCHELL- NAUTICA MALIBU TRI
It was truly an huge accomplishment for me and made me realize I am far stronger than I give myself credit for.
Allyssa Anderson, Alli Forsythe, and Beverley Mitchell
I think my sweatshirt says it all, TOTALLY WINGING IT!
I DID IT!
This truly was an incredible day. I am so proud of myself and it is an amazing gift to begin to realize that I am far stronger than I ever could have imagined. As a mom, I want to teach my children that they can do anything they put their mind too. There is nothing they can’t do, and I am just learning this at 36, but hey better late than never. I hope to continue to pursue things that scare me and push myself to step outside of my comfort zone and who knows, maybe I found the competitor in me.
