Yesterday, Leah and I drove from Petoskey to Grand Rapids to watch my amazing daughter, Katy Krieg, complete her third triathlon. Her first two were Olympic distance, but this one was a real test for her as it was a half-ironman, which consists of a 1.1-mile swim, a 56-mile bike ride, and a 13.1-mile run. She finished in 6:52:22 with all three of kids (Alaina, Nolan, Kaylen) joining her as she crossed the finish line. See my Video of the Day.
Training for something like this is an unbelievable commitment. To do it when you are building and moving into a brand-new house in a new school district; when you are a federal agent overseeing the agents in Michigan, Wisconsin, and Minnesota; and when you are a mother of three extremely active children under 10-years-old, is beyond most peoples’ comprehension. For Katy, it was just another day in her life. It may be her last half-ironman triathlon, but it will not be her last triathlon.
Katy’s inner drive was apparent at an early age. As a 2-year-old when she found out her brother Chris learned how to ride a bicycle without training wheels right after his third birthday, Katy was determined she was going to do it before she turned three. After working all summer, she accomplished it before her third birthday in August.
Her love for sports especially baseball/softball seems to be part of her DNA. Competing with boys was not an issue, in fact she loved the challenge. As a 10-year-old she was a member of the Ypsilanti American Little League all-star team. She was the starting picture in one tournament game and the boys from the other team started laughing when they saw Ypsi was starting a girl. They weren’t laughing for long as Ypsi won by the 15-run mercy-rule.
By the time she was in middle school she was playing volleyball, basketball, and baseball (she didn’t start playing softball until she was a freshman in high school), as well as taking private piano lessons and participating in band. She continued this into high school, but she decided she could do more. She added travel basketball, volleyball, and softball to her high school sports, plus she was a member of the marching band (trombone), flag core, orchestra, and jazz band. It wasn’t until she injured her shoulder playing volleyball her sophomore year and had her first shoulder surgery that she started to slow down. She dropped basketball and focused on volleyball and softball. She helped lead Ypsi to the district championship in softball her junior year. She reinjured he shoulder in summer travel ball and had her second surgery early her senior year. She missed her senior year in volleyball, but she recovered in time for softball, where she won the MVP award, and received all league and all district honors. After summer travel ball following her senior year, I thought her athletic career was over. Little did I know.
Despite her crazy schedule, Leah and I never once worried academics. No matter how tired she was from her activities, she never let her schoolwork suffer. She used whatever resources available to stay on top of her academics.
Katy was very instrumental in getting Ypsi High School to build a new softball field to replace the varsity field she played on during her freshman, sophomore, and junior years. She had many conversations with school board members, the superintendent, and the AD about the importance of replacing the unsafe field. She even met with a Title IX attorney to help with her story (and to serve as backup if all else failed). Eventually, she was asked by the superintendent to work with a contractor and himself to make the field happen. She played her senior year on the new field. She still has the blueprints from the original design.
When she went away to attend Southern Illinois-Edwardsville University, college athletics was not part of the plan. However, toward the end of her freshman year her shoulder was feeling better, so she decided to play travel softball with her old team, which was made up of many college players. After a successful summer, Katy realized she could compete with college players and her softball career was not over. Katy decided to meet with SIU-E softball coach, Sandy Montgomery. All Katy wanted was a chance to walk-on the team. Once Coach Montgomery saw Katy’s speed, finding a place for her on the roster was easy. Although Katy had a third shoulder surgery following her sophomore year, Katy continued to persevere by contributing significantly as a leader and as a pinch runner who was a threat to steel any base any time, which she did in the national championship game to allow her team to tie the score and eventually win in 13 innings. During her four-year career, the SIU-E Cougars participated in four NCAA Division II tournaments including two Division II College World Series, culminating with the national championship in 2007 her senior year.
When Katy walked out of the dugout with the three other senior members of the SIU-E softball team to accept the national championship trophy, I thought I would never have a prouder moment as her dad. I was wrong. As emotional and exciting as that was, it did not compare to the feeling I had when she received her shield as a federal agent. Following three major shoulder surgeries, I never thought her shoulder would hold up during four grueling months of training mostly against fellow male agents.
Those were great moments when I was a very proud dad, but neither of those two moments compare to the joy I get watching her as a wife and a mom. The love she gives Alaina, Nolan and Kaylen warms my heart. She may be tough as nails as a athlete but she is warm and loving when it comes to Alaina, Nolan and Kaylen.
Katy is blessed with above average athletic skill, and she is blessed with unbelievable drive. Those are skills that have served her well. What really makes her unique is her ability to get things done. She uses every minute of every day to make things happen. While most people are trying to get through the day, Katy is figuring out next week. Success is her only option. As she learned from baseball, she may strike-out, but she will succeed then next time she is at bat. For Katy, I can’t was killed in the battles of I tried and I did.
Katy has received many awards over her career, including being a member of the Ypsilanti High School Sports Hall of Fame and the SIU-E Sports Hall of Fame. At this point in time, none of those things matter to her. All she wants now is to be the best mom, wife and daughter she can be. Sometime next year, I will update you on her next triathlon. If she ever starts thinking about a full Ironman, I am going to disown her.
Elections Matter. Pray for peace and tolerance. What are you doing to stop the violence?
Orchid of the Day: Katy Krieg
Onion of the Day: The crazy fools who came up with the idea of an Ironman triathlon.
Quote of the Day: “Never again.” Katy telling the fans along the road as they were cheering her to the finish line.
Question of the Day: Why would anyone ever want to compete in a full Ironman triathlon?
Video of the Day: Katy crossing the finish line.
Katy was an excellent student in her grad program at the University of Michigan She was an active participant ready to offer her thoughts. She was a leader in many of the discussions and challenged her classmates. Her zest for life and learning was certainly demonstrated in her beautiful smile along with her submitted work. She deserved every part of her A. It was an honor to have her in my class. Prof Elliott
Kudos to Katy!!
Amazing daughter in law she is just amazing so proud of her as well great mom wife an all around person she amazes me everyday. Proud of her as well.
This is so awesome!! Truly a proud moment !
Great tribute to Katy from a proud father.Great athlete, better person. Glad to have her as a friend.
What an amazing tribute to someone who I am blessed to call my friend. She truly is one of a kind and am thankful for her everyday! 💕
Brenda,
I have been remiss in checking responses on my website. For that I apologize. As you know, Katy uses every hour of every day to the max. She has been that way since day one. Her drive and determination is that of world class athletes. Success is her only option. Raising her and watching her develop into the person she is today has been an amazing journey. Keeping up with her is exhausting.
Biggs
What a wonderful tribute from a father to his daughter. Congratulations to Katy for all of her achievements! Also congratulations to you and Leah. Well done.
Sara,
I have been remiss in checking the comments on my website. I apologize.
Watching Katy progress from that failure to thrive infant we brought home when she was six weeks old to the person she has grown up to be has brought Leah and I great satisfaction. She has the drive of a world class athlete. She applies it to everything she does. Keeping up with her and her family wears Leah and I out sometimes.