"Amazing" Barb- Athlete of the Month- November

If you kept up on The Adventure's of Lauren our Athlete of the Month for October, and her quest to make it to the finish line at The Bank of America Chicago Triathlon, then you had a chance to read about her friend "Crazy" Barb, or "Amazing" Barb, the woman who ran along with Lauren to make sure she met her goal.

As I traveled along the streets of Chicago with Barb and Lauren and watched Barb put her personal needs aside to make sure that no matter what Lauren made it across the finish line, I knew then, she would be out Athlete of the Month for November.  Barb Rodriguez (her actual name) has a giving spirit and energy that is contagious and invigorating.  She was there for Lauren, me and dozen other strangers who needed her help, so when I ran the idea of Barb being our AOM for November past a few people, it was no surprise that the reaction was enormous from other athletes in the Chicago area.

Here are a few from the people she has touched.

Lauren Kaminsky -  With several marathons, half marathons, triathalons, and centuries under her belt, Barb is preparing for the Tempe, Arizona Ironman on November 22, 2009.  Not only is she one incredible athlete, she has inspired me and many others along our journeys.  

Barb has literally been there every step of the way on my journey as a runner.  When I decided to dip my toes into the world of marathoning in 2007, Barb was already a marathoner, as well as a mentor for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's Team in Training. I didn't know her very well, but I knew she was a runner, so I tried to talk shop with her. All I had to do was say, "I think I'm going to run the Chicago Marathon.  What are your favorite running tunes?"  And she was off.  Before I knew it, I had my very own personalized training schedule for the Shamrock Shuffle 8k, to help me build before marathon training, in my e-mail inbox.  In true Barb fashion, it was filled with inspirational quotes to get me pumped.  Shortly after, a care package arrived with running socks, a book called Sole Sisters, and a CD of Barb's favorite running songs.  When I tried to thank her, she just brushed it aside.  "No problem!"  It's just what she does.

Barb is tough.  She's determined.  She's motivated.  When she sets her mind to something, she will accomplish it.  She has a competive drive and spirit that is constantly pushing her to find a new event, set a new PR, and now, take on her first Ironman.  Throughout this training season, I've watched Barb become stronger both mentally and physically.  A self proclaimed "back of the packer" with a 5:55:28 marathon PR, she's pushed herself to occasional 8:30 miles during her training!  It's been a training season of pushing herself, of PRs in sprint tri and Half IronMan, and beating countless personal records in training -- from swim tests to track workouts to century rides.  And through it all, she perseveres.  She looks out for her friends in their training journeys.  She volunteers at endurance events.  She calls to ask how your run went, not complain about her own tough training day.

Simply put, she is my hero.  I'm sure many others would say the same.

Larry Erbach- I would like to nominate Barb Rodriguez for  Pace of Chicago's  Athlete of the Month. Barb is not only a tireless supporter of Charity runners and folks that choose to run not for themselves, but to make things better for others - She is a tri-athlete and dedicated endurance junkie of the best kind. Barb embodies the word Sportsmanship.
 
Barb will be competing in the Tempe Arizona Iron Man on November 22nd, and I can't think of a better representative of Chicago and the great folks who participate in the endurance sports scene in our city.