Featured Athlete: Kandice Fogarty

 

* Name: Kandice Fogarty
* Website: N/A
* Age: 29

* What is your day job, and do you have other hobbies?:
I am a Registered Nurse in a busy pediatric office. It is a Monday-Friday job with most weekends/holidays off…pretty much unheard of for a nurse! I enjoy working with kids and love that I have lots of free time with my family and to do other things I love, such as OCR.

I don’t have any other hobbies that I am truly passionate about. I like to be crafty. I find coloring very therapeutic. I like to do puzzles. Mostly I just want to be outside…be it on a mountain, at the beach, in a tree, etc.  Nature inspires me 🙂

* When did you start obstacle course racing? Tell us about your first race
My very first OCR was the WarriorDash in Amesbury in 2011. I signed up on a whim. We ran in the first heat, which got delayed due to thunderstorms. It was super muddy and …. fun!? I wasn’t really sure what I was getting myself into. Running was a fairly new thing for me and decided to challenge myself. After the race I learned of “a similar” race that was coming to the same venue a couple months later–so I went home and immediately signed up for my first Spartan Race (Amesbury 2011).

As most of you know, there really is no comparison between WD and SR.  During the sprint we all had moments of thinking and expressing “this sucks,” “why are we doing this,” etc as soon as we crossed the finish line, we knew…and we couldn’t wait to do it again! The rest is history. I was hooked and determined to find and do more!

* What was your biggest accomplishment at an obstacle course race? What made it your biggest accomplishment (overcame a fear, injury, disability etc?)
Hmm..for me getting out there and doing the race in the first place was way out of my comfort zone. Once I got that out of that out of the way, I would say being ble to complete previously failed obstacles (I.e. traverse wall at Fenway, spear throw in NC) felt pretty good. Someday, I will ring the bell at the top of that rope!
Doing th hurricane heat in North Carolina was pretty cool too. I was not sure what to expect, but I went and I did it and loved every second of it.

What makes me most proud, though, is having people tell me that I inspire them. Being a positive role model for my kids and proving to myself that I CAN (and will) do it!

* What attracts you to obstacle course races? Why do you keep coming back?
Mud. Obstacles. Challenges. People. All things that I can say used to scare me/intimidate me.

I was never one who liked to get dirty (and for the most part, I still don’t). I won’t put a worm on a hook for fishing, won’t touch a fish if catch it. I will now splash in puddles with the kids, play in the dirt and get a little filthy from time to time. With the races there is something exhilarating about being waist deep in mud (or maybe it’s just because its refreshingly cool on those hot days!?). Either way, I can now say I love mud! Especially when I’m with others.

Obstacles and challenges go hand in hand. Many of the obstacles are a challenge for me. It gives me a goal, something to work towards and get better at.  If I can avoid burpees, I will.

The people. Yes, you guys! I’ve always been on the shy side. It took a lot for me to muster up the guts to meet up with the Spahtens at the first race I did with them last July (Finish at the 50)…I again stepped out of my comfort zone and just did it. It was painful and I don’t think I said more than 5 words but I got through it.  Everyone was very nice, welcoming and  made me feel like a part of the group. As I started doing more and more races with the team, I have come out of my shell. I truly enjoy meeting new people, sharing experiences, getting motivated, inspired and encouraged all along the way. None of us are the same, we are all at different levels, different paces, different strengths & weaknesses…but we are all accepted. We are a community, we are the NE Spahtens.

* What are your training and/or diet routines? Do you have other athletic pursuits?
Currently I am following a wheat free diet. Mostly because  I was having issues with joint pain. Other than eliminating wheat I don’t have a strict diet routine. I aim for smaller portions, frequent small meals/snacks, and try to make overall healthier choices. I drink tons of water.

For activity I do better in groups. I take Zumba 2-3 classes /week, RIP twice a week, and I try to do yoga at least once a week. When able I try to make group training sessions (with James, Lisa, Eric or team WTF). I plan to start running more and may start doing Insanity again.

I would like to run another half marathon in the fall (I ran my first last February). I am going for my trifecta this year (just registered for the Utah Beast!). Other than that I just want to stay active and participate in as many races as possible.

* Were you always athletic? If not, what athletic changes have you made to keep up the obstacle course race lifestyle?
NO, not at all. When I was in grade school I played soccer. In middle school and high school I was the manager for the wrestling team. I went to the gym with the team from time to time, but I was never athletic.

After having my third son, three years ago I decided enough was enough. I was tired, obese, lazy, and unhappy. It was time for a change. For the first time in my life I made time for ME. I went to the gym, I signed up for races, I took group ex classes, made friends with similar interests. That is when my “athletic” days began. I am about 100lbs less than I was at my heaviest. I am a lot happier and feel so much better.

I still have a ways to go, goals to achieve, weight to lose, strength to gain. I am on a journey.

* Who, alive or dead, would you invite to run an obstacle course race with you?
I would love to get my sister, brother and best friend Josh to run the races with me. ::Wink wink:: Also, it would be super cool if my dad would do Fenway, as he is a huge Red Sox fan.

* Tell us a fun fact about yourself that we may not know!
Hmm… I had a paper route when I was younger (that was about as activess i got). I was nominated by my customers and won newspaper carrier of the year.

I know there has been some questions/confusion in the group, so let me clarify. Andrew and I were (are) married, we are in the midst of a divorce and are completely amicable. Our relationship has been on the rocks for a very long time. We have both moved on and want the best for each other and our three kids. Without looking I met an amazing guy (Jim) we had an instant connection, he brings so much light and joy to my life. I am looking forward to our future together. There is no tension between Andrew and I and there is no need for anyone to feel they need to pick a side. We are all friends here, or at least mature enough to accept it for what it is.

* What are your goals? Next race, next season … what’s in your future?
Next on the agenda:
June 1- Adventure 5k
June 2- Tri-State Spartan Sprint
June 8- Super Hero Scramble (x2)
June 15- Ruckus
June 28- Utah Spartan BEAST (eek!)

…and many more.

This year I will get my trifecta. I will run another half marathon. I will talk to a stranger. I will encourage and help someone in need. I will smile more often. I will become a better and stronger me 🙂

Oh, and I’ll do as many races, that coincide with my schedule, as I can afford.