THE REMARKABLE NIKKI MAKRIS

This month’s blog highlights one of our many inspirational SOAS Racing team athletes, Nikki Makris.

A triathlete since 2007, Nikki Makris experienced a seizure and was diagnosed with epilepsy in 2010, at the age of 35. Although she initially lost a great deal of independence (she was unable to drive and was heavily reliant on family and friends) and suffered bouts of depression and fear in the face of her changed circumstances, Nikki soon realized that she wanted to take back control of her life. By committing to race an Ironman (with the clearance of her physician), Nikki also committed to a new outlook–one in which anything is possible, despite obstacles that can seem overwhelming. She learned how to manage the symptoms of her disease and successfully trained for and raced both the 2012 and 2013 Ironman Coeur D’Alene, and on August 3^rd she’ll line up in her hometown to tackle the inaugural Ironman Boulder, both as a personal goal and as a public effort to raise awareness and funds to help others dealing with epilepsy. We had a chat with Nikki to learn more about what motivates this incredible athlete!

SOAS: In what ways does epilepsy affect your training and racing, and how do you handle these challenges?

Nikki: I’m lucky because for the most part my seizures are controlled by medication, but I’ve had breakthrough seizures that were provoked by excessive fatigue and stress. I’m learning to listen to my body and not push too hard when I’m fatigued, which is difficult when training for an IRONMAN. I can’t train the same volume and intensity as other IRONMAN triathletes, sometimes missing key workouts. During the race I really concentrate on conserving my energy and staying within myself. I have a specific race plan I stick with regardless if I’m feeling strong.  

SOAS: What’s something positive that has happened in your life as a result of your diagnosis?

Nikki: I’ve benefited so much from taking on endurance sports. I remember crossing the finish line of my first half marathon. It was so emotional. I realized I could do anything if I stay focused and committed. I’ve made it my purpose to share how powerfully doing endurance sports can change one’s life–more than the health benefits, it also improves self-esteem, confidence and being a part of a community. With my diagnosis I feel I have a stronger platform as proof there are no limits to what one can accomplish. 

Before a race a woman who I haven’t seen in over a year came up to me and said she was racing her first triathlon because I inspired her. It’s a profound feeling I can’t put into words. 

SOAS: Do you use any motivational mantras or have any inner dialogues while racing? If so, will you share them?  

Nikki: My personal mantra is “Just Keep Moving.”  I know I’ll finish if I just keep moving.  It’s my mantra for racing but in life, too. I write it on my right hand and I write “I am an IRONMAN” on my left. 

SOAS: What are you most looking forward to on race day in Boulder? 

Nikki: Boulder is in my backyard and I have a lot of friends coming to support me. I’m also excited for the visiting triathletes to experience the Boulder community energy and support for endurance sports.  

SOAS: How do you like to reward or pamper yourself post-race? 

Nikki: A pedicure and a good massage.

SOAS: What are 5 words you would use to describe yourself?

Nikki: Strong-minded, focused, caring, loyal and thoughtful.

(BTW Nikki, we agree!)

If you’d like to learn more about Nikki and help support her Ironman Boulder fundraising effort for the Epilepsy Foundation of Colorado, visit

https://www.crowdrise.com/athleteslivingwithepilepsy/fundraiser/nicolemakris

Nikki with teammate Whiting Leary at Ironman 70.3 Boulder

Nikki with teammate Jene Shaw at the Boulder Stroke & Stride 

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It’s also time to give a big ‘ol SOAS-style Happy Birthday shout-out to all of our team members who celebrated birthdays in May & June. We’re fortunate to have a whole bunch of inspirational ladies on our ambassador team. Here are the featured May & June athletes and each of their favorite mantras:

GET TO KNOW GINA

Last month we proudly announced the signing of professional triathlete (make that 11x Ironman Champion professional triathlete) and mom Gina Crawford. Gina, a native of New Zealand, is currently on the road racing in Europe, accompanied by her husband Brett and young son Benny. (“Benny, Benji, Benjamin–any of those are fine, just not Ben! We started off calling him Benji, but now it's usually Benny, and that's what he calls himself, too,” says Gina.) Never one to sit idle, this amazing mom just finished a trio of half iron-distance races in the space of three weeks–Challenge Rimini, where she finished 4^th, Ironman 70.3 Pays D’Aix, where she claimed 3^rd and Ironman 70.3 St. Poelten, where she again earned 4^th. And these races were just a warm up–Gina will tackle two more half distance events in June before one of her key races of the season, Ironman Frankfurt on July 6^th.

In light of Gina’s recent 3-peat, we thought we’d have a bit of fun getting to know our SOAS ambassador via a 3-themed Q&A:

What are 3 of your favorite things about your nearly 3-year-old son Benny?

1) His incredible energy. He never seems to get tired and he is so busy all day long, biking, running, building blocks, reading books and playing make-believe games–and he never stops talking at all the whole time.

2) His sense of humor. He may be only two but we have a lot of fun together and he gets a lot of jokes. You can never really be down for long with Benny around–he brightens up the world.

3) His sense of adventure. He loves doing new things and seeing new things. We travel a lot and everywhere we go he gets so excited to be somewhere new and he notices so many little tiny details that we would totally miss without him. 

What are 3 thoughts that go through your mind when you’re racing?

1) With every step I am closer to the finish.

2) When I am going through a good patch I tell myself to enjoy it and make the most of it.

3) I am doing this for Benny, so whatever happens, do not give up.

What are 3 goals you hope to achieve this year?

1) To put together a great race where I swim, bike and run to my potential in the same race.

2) A sub 3-hour ironman marathon. I ran a 2:58 in 2012 but I haven't been back below this mark since.

3) A sub 9-hour ironman at Ironman Frankfurt. I’ve gone sub 9-hours at Challenge Roth twice and once at Ironman Western Australia.

What are 3 of your off-season or post-race guilty pleasures? 

1) Post-ironman, for a few hours post-race I always have a huge craving for fries (salt and fat).

2) I enjoy baking, so I tend to do a fair bit in the off-season!

3) I don't drink a lot of alcohol but after my last race of the year I like to let me hair down and have a few of my favorite cocktails.

What are 3 things you like most about your new custom SOAS kit? 

1) Comfort. I don't get chafing anywhere at all!

2) Color. I love bright colors and my kit stands out. In no way is it boring!

3) Distinctive design. My husband can see me coming from a long way away. In an ironman there are only a few times where we flash by for a few seconds and then we are gone for another hour or so, so I don't want him to miss me!

You can learn more about Gina and follow her racing and family journey via her blog ginacrawford.com or on Twitter @Gina_Crawford

photo credit (all): Annette C Photography

A BLOG ABOUT BDAYS

There’s been a whole lot to celebrate at SOAS this month. OK, maybe that’s because we were so wrapped up in season opener race action last month (at Oceanside and elsewhere around the globe) that we, um, forgot to post a happy birthday blog for our March ladies! But maybe that’s a good thing. Because now, as we double up in celebrating both our March and April-born teammates, we’ll also take a moment to reflect on the pure awesomeness of birthdays, period.

We LOVE birthdays. We’re not just talking about the birthdays of our youth, when that single day was by far the best of the entire year, a parade of presents and giggles and girlfriends and some sort of special party. We’re talking about birthdays now, and how we celebrate them as full-fledged adults. For one, there’s the wine...and everyone knows how much we SOAS ladies love our vino! In fact, the addition of wine is really the main thing that’s changed in our celebration style–we’re still pretty much suckers for girlfriends and giggles and special parties. (Our own Andrea, sister to founder Steph, celebrated her birthday with a big night of bowling!)

But there’s another aspect to birthdays entirely that also makes us swoon. That’s the way they refresh us each year, giving us a chance to start anew, no matter what challenges we faced (or fumbled) in the prior months. In reality, a birthday is just a day, like any other day, among seven in a week, 30-ish in a month and 365 in a year. But there is something special about a birthday–it’s undeniable. Sure, it’s an actual milestone (the progression of age), yet it’s also an imaginary jumping off point for whatever adventures lie ahead. And whether or not we’re inflating its importance is irrelevant. For us, each birthday really is a new beginning–or at least we choose to view it that way–a rebirth of our moxie and our mission to make the next year the best one yet.

It’s in that spirit that we celebrate our March and April SOAS Racing birthday girls, their quotes (below) giving a glimpse into what inspires each of them.  We also give a shout out to all our athletes that raced recently–and we invite everyone to check out our Oceanside Album and see some of our new 2014 kits in action!

Happy Birthday, SOAS ladies!

FEB FLEW!

February may have been a short month, but it packed a big punch of activity. There was the universal feel-the-love focus on the 14^th, when we couldn’t help but get a bit warm and fuzzy. There was the anticipation beginning to fill the air–even though winter still holds a fierce grip on much of the country–that spring is in sight (we promise–seriously–warmer weather isn’t too far away). And in the SOAS circle February marked the celebration of 10 SOAS Racing Ambassador Team member birthdays–girls gearing up for a fabulous season ahead, clothed in our fit/fashion/function focused apparel.

Worldwide, we had several SOAS spottings in Asia last month. Team athlete Holly Bennett rocked her Polka Dot kit on a long run through the Philippine jungle while on assignment for Triathlete Magazine in Subic Bay. And on race morning at Challenge Philippines, she caught up with her pal and Asia-based ex-pat Rebecca Kynaston, glitzed out in Green Gingham and gearing up for a great day. We’re sure some of you took SOAS along in your travels; we’d love to see your photos of Nantucket Navy, Black Carbon, Pink Peacock or any of our other prints making their way around the globe, so please send them our way!

Around these parts we’ve also been particularly active, putting the final touches on our production of team gear and shipping it off to our playful and passionate ambassadors.

This year’s team kit–and a whole heap of other team-specific apparel–is exclusive to the SOAS Racing Ambassador Team athletes. So when you see our specially chosen ladies out there, crushing the racecourse or cruising around town, be sure to give them a cheer–and don’t be shy to ask any and every question you have about our products and about their experience representing our brand. Who knows, maybe you’ll turn into a SOAS ambassador-in-training!

All work and no play would be, well, pretty boring–so we took time out from production for a happy hour with a few of our San Diego based crew (here’s SOAS founder Steph with team members Kimmie Rouse, Jenna Hardy & Steph Gibson).

We like to shout out to our ladies whenever we can, so here’s a big Happy Birthday to the women born in February! Get to know them–via each of their favorite quotes–below: 

Cheers!

- The SOAS Crew