Ten Years Later...

Ten years ago, I had the honor of writing a piece about two people who inspired me through their grit, connection, and shared passion for movement. One of them, Cristina Ramirez, is not just still inspiring—she’s soaring.

Today, on her birthday, I look back at that article with fresh eyes and even greater admiration. Cristina has grown tremendously since then, not just as an athlete, but as a mother, a wife, a community leader, and the heartbeat behind events that bring thousands together, like the iconic Lululemon 10K Tour stop in Miami she just brought to life with such heart and vision.

She embodies what it means to build a life rooted in purpose, partnership, and movement. From starting her running journey after a Turkey Trot encounter with Rafa, to now leading one of South Florida’s most beloved running events, Cristina has never stopped evolving.

It’s not often that someone’s story grows more inspiring with time, but that’s Cristina. So today, I celebrate her not only with birthday wishes, but with a throwback to when her journey as a wife, athlete, and community trailblazer was just taking off.

Happy Birthday, Cristina. You are still running strong—on the course, at home, and in the hearts of everyone lucky enough to know you.

As posted on Run South Florida Magazine- 2015 July Issue

Crisitna and Rafa Finishing their first Full Ironman

Title: Couples who train together…

Columnist: Valeria Rodriguez

Don’t be afraid of trying, every journey starts somewhere, whether that is a journey of Love or Fitness.

We all know that it’s easier to get out of a routine and most definitely out of shape than it is to get into either of the aforementioned. And depending on the type of training we do, it can be considered a fully-committed relationship that may suffer some lack of attention when a potential life partner squeezes into the picture. But if you find the right partner, you may have a training partner for life.

When it comes down to it, there are two types of people in this world: the ones who make exercising an integral part of their lives and the ones who do not. Couples who exercise together may have a higher chance at not only staying together, but may quite possibly perform better because they will make exercise one of their marriage vows.

Meet power couple Crisitina Ramirez and Rafael Ramirez. They met one fateful November (2011) morning while Rafa was Turkey Trotting and Cristina was working the @lululemon Cheer Squad.  It could be assumed that it was love at first stride when Rafa ran by. The very next day was Black Friday. Cristina got herself a Garmin to start running. Having been a dancer for the greater portion of her life, she knew that this new hobby wouldn’t be a waltz in Central Park, but little did she know, she’d find herself dancing among the stars (of her age group) with the man of her dreams, like a fairy tale come to life. Cristina and Rafa are a testament to the saying, couples that train together, stay together.

Here are five reasons why: 

1)They push each other in different ways: Whether it’s through words of encouragement or allowing you to draft on the bike until you catch your second wind, the result is still the same. Sometimes we all need that extra push to get us moving. Healthy competition can always go a long way. “As long as we are doing the work, we push each other and encourage each other to be better. We try to use each other to improve ourselves physically, mentally, and professionally”.

2)They Hustle Together: One day, I read on Crisitna’s Instagram that strength doesn’t come from what you can do, it comes from overcoming things you once thought you couldn’t. She also said that “You never know what your body is capable of doing until you fully and wholeheartedly commit to it.” Take, for example, the fact that she did not even know how to really swim before her first Nautica South Beach Triathlon. Her brother, a lifeguard,  and cousin, an open water swimmer, feared for her safety and sanity. But she proved to them, as she proves to herself every day,  that often we don’t think things are possible until we do them. She went from doing 5ks and 10ks to  Half and Full Marathons to dabbling with Triathlons to now working her way to her first Full Ironman Triathlon. We live in a society that has LADHD: Life Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder- I just made that up. Not everyone has the willpower, discipline, or determination to attempt, let alone stick to, a rigorous training schedule before shifting our attention to something newer or shinier. The fact that anyone is willing to commit themselves so fully to something speaks volumes in the other areas of their lives as well, as is the case with our #PowerCouple.

3) Eating Right is made easier (most of the time): I like to say that I train hard to maintain other hobbies, such as eating. When sharing your life with a partner, temptations for eating outside the “what I should eat” box seem to be at an all-time high. However, Cristina and Rafa have found a tasty balance of cooking and going out to eat, with their goals in mind. Whether it’s a JugoFresh rendezvous or homemade ceviche and arepas,  both want the healthiest, yet most fulfilling option possible, a support each other’s journey to do so when one is too weak.

4) They’ve seen each other at their worst: There is nothing quite as unattractive as a tired, drenched, and shaking person (after a swim). But even at your partner’s worst, they are striving to hit their goals. Somedays will just suck, as most of us have experienced, but knowing that someone will unconditionally love you is either on the course with you, waiting for you at the finish, or coming in shortly behind you, has to be one of the most motivating feelings in the world. 

5) They attend Weekly Therapy: This lifestyle allows them to release stress and anger in healthy ways. Just imagine the breakup that caused someone to invent kickboxing. Being able to have a healthy outlet, alone and together, allows Rafa and Cristina to THINK before they SPEAK. A lesson we should all implement in our lives. Sometimes it’s couples therapy, or individual sessions, but equally as beneficial to building stronger individuals in their marriage. Cristina struggles with believing in herself, but her weekly therapy sessions on land and in the water have helped her begin to believe what all those around her continually bring out in her. She is thankful to be on this Ironman Florida Journey with #iRunRiceTriathlon and #Lululemon Families, as well as her husband, every stroke, cadence, and stride of the way. Those therapy sessions have led them to not take their company and experiences in their lives for granted. Their social and athletic circles have merged, which has made for training time to make memories with friends, races have turned into Road Trips, coaches have turned into dinner date friends, and Wine & Cheese are just as acceptable as Water & Shot Blocks. Rafa says that the key to it all is setting the right values, giving things in your life the right place on the hierarchy of “things to do”. Cristina noddingly agreed and added with the most excited smile and flushed cheeks that “There is more to life than a 12-hour Ironman, like buying a house, and having a baby”.

We’ll see what the future has in store for this passionate and inspiring #powercouple grounded on Peace, TRI, OM.  I’d like to believe that couples who train together, get stronger together, set their eyes on goals together, and therefore stay together. It’s people like Rafa and Cristina who keep that belief alive in me and in all the people who know them. Good Luck on your Road to Ironman Florida, and continue to Tri Hard and Live Easy. Go #TeamFamilly!

So from Nico (who you've seen group up) and myself...HAPPY BIRTHDAY AMIGA!

We love you!