Circumstances in life often take us places that we never intended to go. We visit some places of beauty, others of pain and desolation. Kristin Armstrong More Quotes by Kristin Armstrong More Quotes From Kristin Armstrong It truly is a little intimidating to go speak at a middle school. Sure, on one hand the kids are only around 13 years old, but on the other hand, merely going back there reactivates the dorky, miserable feeling of being that age again. It isn't easy. As soon as I arrived I could almost feel the braces on my teeth, the don't-look-at-me slouch of my shoulders, the feathered wings of my bangs. Kristin Armstrong kids hands school To me, there is no greater way to achieve clarity than to run alone, or share miles with a trusted friend. Kristin Armstrong clarity running way In high school you just kind of go with it, you belong to a sport and you're lettering and there is a very social part. With cycling, a lot of people will steer away because you can't letter, and lettering is still cool and it's very important for scholarships and other stuff. Kristin Armstrong cycling sports school I'm still making my decision in the next few days on what path I'm going to take. What really makes me excited now is to continue to give back to the sport. Kristin Armstrong decision sports giving Whatever you may be missing right now - a person, a place, a feeling, maybe you are injured and missing running - whatever it is, have peace and take heart - remember that any goodbye makes room for a hello. Kristin Armstrong happy goodbye life It's funny because when there's something written about me in Velonews or Cyclingnews, the headline isn't "the other" Armstrong; its Armstrong wins another race. With Lance in retirement, everyone I know goes to those sites because they think Lance is racing again. Kristin Armstrong winning retirement thinking I didn't know that you could race your bike until after college. I didn't know anything about cycling except that I rode my bike from class to class or to my friend's house. But here I am an athlete, I ran, I played soccer, I swam and people are riding their bikes and racing them? I had never seen a bike race. Kristin Armstrong athlete college soccer I think that with some education there are real possibilities at the high school and college level, but more so at the college level, to bring people into cycling. Kristin Armstrong real college school In America with the Olympics when you not only have a medal but a gold medal all of a sudden people come out of the wood work and you're treated a little bit differently. I guess that's where my personality is, that's where I just can't get used to all this. Kristin Armstrong personality gold people As a nation, China, is one of the most powerful countries around and if anyone can make something happen, if anything is in their control and they can make things happen and make things the best and look at their country as a beautiful place to come visit and our people are great they're going to do it. I feel like everything that hasn't been perfect over there is out of their hands. They've done everything they can to make it perfect. Kristin Armstrong powerful beautiful country If there were any people who were my role models I would just say it was my family's influence and the family and the kids around me. Kristin Armstrong role-models kids people Cycling is not impactful. Its just like when you are injured, have a knee surgery or something, there are so many things that you can still do, you just have to find that other passion that's out there. Kristin Armstrong knees cycling passion And when they start riding a lot of them have full time jobs and are taking vacation days to get by. All of a sudden it becomes so addictive because you're out there with a bunch of women just like yourself, well educated, taking your vacation days, not making any real money, but we're having a blast. And that's US cycling. Kristin Armstrong vacation like-you real I feel like I've done everything I can, and what I wanted to do. Kristin Armstrong done wanted feels Everyone knows I drink a lot of Diet Coke, so...I drink chocolate milk after races as my recovery drink, and you won't ever find me without a peanut butter sandwich in my bag at races or without a jar of peanut butter when I am heading to Europe. Kristin Armstrong recovery race europe I was told that there are about 900 gold medal winners in American Olympic history. When I thought about the number 900, I wondered how many kids that are influenced by a gold medal ever get to see a gold medal. What I thought was really neat was that I've already had a couple hundred kids touch my gold medal. Kristin Armstrong couple gold kids Cycling is such an endurance sport. I don't think it's the worst thing ever to start when you're in your twenties. Kristin Armstrong endurance sports thinking Unless you have a specific injury or a disease, I think a lot of people don't quite understand. I think a lot of people put arthritis in the same category. There's a real difference from someone whose joints swell, that's probably rheumatoid arthritis, than what I have. Kristin Armstrong differences real thinking I don't think it's the worst thing ever to start when you're in your twenties. You're not burnt out, you're going to stick around and most of the best cyclists are in their 30s. Kristin Armstrong cyclists twenties thinking What I have learned about the sport of cycling is that you have to love it to do it because you're not going to retire off of it. Kristin Armstrong i-have-learned cycling sports
