July 17, 2010 |
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YWCA Women's Triathlon |
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On the Way to the Tri
I dreamed of being a firefighter. After college, I got my EMT license. I talked to some male firefighters about becoming one of them. They told me I was too small and a woman. So, I gave up. In 2006 I tried again to be a firefighter and I succeeded. So, I drove back to where the male firefighters said I would never become a firefighter because I was too small and because I was a woman. I got out of my car and yelled at the building, "I DID IT"! My friends talked about getting into better shape by entering the 2009 YWCA Women's Triathlon. I signed up that night! I'd never done a triathlon. I hadn't biked in 10 years. I did limited swimming. I'm not sure if I'd ever done running, other than from a bad date. Months before the race I needed to have surgery to remove a cancerous lump from my neck. Eventually, I recovered and became my old self again. Then, that summer, at my cabin, I slipped on my dock and fell directly on the head of my tibia. It wasn't broken, but the Triathlon was out of the question. The combination of cancer and a leg injury made my dream unobtainable. I went onto the Women's Tri website and saw the need for volunteers. Since I was a certified EMT, I signed up for the medical tent. On crutches, I watched the triathletes cross the finish line. It was a beautiful sight. It was bittersweet. I wanted to be one of them. Have a number on me; be out of breath and sweating with a great sense of accomplishment. Being in the medical tent, however, allowed me to still be part of the Tri. I've since signed up for this year's YWCA Women's Triathlon. I am not out to win this race, nor to push myself so hard that it becomes no fun. My dream is to cross the finish line. I hope that other women like me will challenge and believe in themselves. I know that I will have to find the little spark in myself to run to the finish line. But then and only then will the tears of my success flow and I will again be able to say, "I DID IT"! Judi Laurence Piper Breast Center Partners with Women's Tri
Piper Breast Center is the first in Minnesota to be accredited by the National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers and is also designated a Breast Imaging Center of Excellence by the American College of Radiology (ACR). The Piper Breast Center offers women and their families the expertise, information and support they need to make informed choices about breast care. The Center provides a comfortable and private setting. The Center's team of health care experts uses the most advanced technology to provide timely information and diagnosis. Mary Jones, the YWCA of Minneapolis Chief Advancement Officer adds that "the triathlon is clearly a means for women to come together, be strong and take charge of their fitness. Teaming up with the Piper Breast Center elevates the YWCA community's resolve to empower women to pursue wellness in all aspects of their lives." For information on breast health and cancer prevention, visit the Piper Breast Center website. Making us all Strong Fast FitMany of you chose to donate to help support the Latino and Native American youth and their families in the YWCA's Strong Fast Fit program. To honor your support, some of you chose to dedicate your donation. We honor them here for their impact and inspiration:
Thank you! By entering the Women's Tri you are joining us in supporting community programs for women and youth. Race proceeds and the donations you make during or after registration benefit the Latino and Native American youth and their families in the YWCA's Strong Fast Fit program. There's still time to support Strong Fast Fit with a Donation Today! Relay Teams in 2010For the first time, women can pull together and participate as a relay. The three-person (or two) relay teams allow each individual the opportunity to focus on their individual strength, whether swimming, biking or running, while still being a part of the event. Or if someone is unable to do one of the sports, they can join up with others to fill out a relay. One such relay is Gotta Have More Cowbell made up of race participants Deanne, Sally and Jill. This team of two sisters and their mother is not completely new to the sport of triathlon. "This is not my first time in the YWCA Women's Triathlon, but it is my first time on a relay team. I love this race. It is the first triathlon I ever did, and I plan to do it every year," said Sally Smith. "My sister and I are doing the race with my mom who has NEVER done a triathlon. She used to swim, so we wanted her to do that part of the race. My sister is due to have her first child in July, so we figured the bike portion would be best left for me and the run/walk portion for her," Smith said. Every team is made up differently and has different strengths and motivations for getting through this race. Another team, Three Really Fast Chicks, is made up of three friends Audrey, Susan and Dani. "This is the first triathlon for all three of us. Last year, several of our friends competed, and we wanted to be part of it this year," said Dani Shimon. Although new to the YWCA of Minneapolis, this event is important to Dani. "It promotes health and positive feelings for all girls and women. I watched last year and was very impressed with the complete support for any woman wishing to compete." Many women who may be interested in the YWCA Women's Triathlon as an individual or part of a relay will be happy to know how inclusive the race really is. "From what I've seen this is a great race, especially for first timers. All women, all abilities, all shapes and ages participated last year and were supported," mentioned Shimon. If you still aren't sure whether to participate in the YWCA Women's Triathlon as an individual, then get a couple of friends and enter the race as a relay. Not only will you have each other's support, but judging by Sally and Dani's experiences - you will have the support of other participants as well. Hammer Nutrition Signs on as Official Energy Fuel Partner
NF Endurance TeamIf you haven't heard of the NF Endurance Team yet, you will know about them by the end of the YWCA Triathlon. At least 25 athletes will be wearing the conspicuously bright neon yellow tri gear on race day. These athletes, along with their Cheer Zone participants, will be racing and cheering to raise awareness of Neurofibromatosis (NF). NF is a genetic condition that causes benign tumors to grow on the nerves anywhere on or in the body. It can also affect other tissues - bones, skin, blood vessels, ears or eyes. Occurring in one of every 3,000 births, NF is more prevalent than Cystic Fibrosis, inherited Muscular Dystrophy, Huntington's disease and Tay Sachs combined. The NF Endurance Team raises funds for Children's Tumor Foundation (CTF), a leading non-profit organization dedicated to finding effective treatments and a cure for NF. Please cheer the NF Endurance athletes as they swim, pedal and run for this great cause or stop by the CTF team tent on race day to learn more about the NF team and the Children's Tumor Foundation. Go NF Endurance! If you want to join the team for their weekly team workout (Wed's, 7pm, main beach, Lake Nokomis), contact Kari Harrison at kjharrison7@gmail.com.
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The YWCA of Minneapolis extends a thank you to Abbott Northwestern Hospital's Piper Breast Center for their support of the YWCA of Minneapolis Women's Triathlon. Physicians and staff at the Piper Breast Center say "they are excited to support such a dynamic and inclusive event that celebrates the strength and health of all women."
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