Jan "Vining" Johnson

Do you remember the first time you met someone? I distinctively remember meeting Jan (Vining at the time- now Johnson).

She is a great triathlete. Before we actually met, she was one of the girls that was "on my radar." You know, the girls you don't know, but they are in your age group and you know what their race results are, strengths and weaknesses, etc. Okay, some of you might not have a radar, but I do! (Yes, I can be laid back, but I can be very competitive too!)

Jan and I raced each other at CATS sprint in 2006. We didn't know each other, but we came into contact for sure.

Check out the picture above. Jan is in the green shirt and I am just to the left of her in blue shorts and a white hat. Jan actually had a picture of us on her camera at our "first meeting." We are at the table trying to figure out who gets the first place medal.

This is how we remember meeting-unofficially. I was waiting on the side to be called up for awards. I was pretty sure I had won my age group based on the results. But, my name wasn't called anywhere, and they called Jan Vining up for 1st place. I promptly walked up there and said there must be a mistake, I was first, check your times. Sweet Jan is forced to give her medal back so I can have it. And, that is our first meeting.

So, months later I am in contact with someone named Jan Johnson. We are going to meet up at track and workout some together. She is awesome, fun, and great to be around. She is also a badass runner. By that, I mean she was the girl that won everything in high school and went to state in everything. She also ran D1 track and cross country for Samford. We really hit it off because she is also really cool!

Then-we figure out that we are the other girl from CATS! I mean, it was really easy to remember that incident because it was kind of embarrassing for both of us. And, Jan had a picture of it to boot! How funny is that!!! So, we have a recording of our very first meeting- and the start of a great friendship.

BTW, the fact that I beat Jan was luck. If the run had been longer I would've been toast!