Never an athlete as a kid, I learned to run distance as an adult in 2011. While the inside of my head screamed “they will laugh, you can’t,” I found the running community to be quite welcoming and encouraging. And as I worked towards my goals that year to complete a 5k, 10k and then a half marathon, I indeed found that inner voice that said “You can!” and “I’m proud of me.” Around this time, I also found an all women online fitness/weight loss group called PNPTribe and an overflow of more encouragement, motivation, inspiration and self-confidence continued to flow. In discovering my inner athlete as an adult, I have found women athletes to be some of the best encouragers and inspiring people I know.
At the beginning of last year, I decided to see if triathlon was for me. So inspiration in hand, I searched for a triathlon and found the inaugural SheTris Triathlon in 2016. The tag line “All women. Three sports. ONE JOURNEY” just sung out to my soul and spirit. I not only learned how to run as an adult, but also recently learned how to swim as well, and I hadn’t been on a bike in ages. So I knew my journey ahead was going to be long and challenging should I attempt to do all three together. But after reading through the mission of this triathlon (to empower and show women of any size, shape, age or ability they could do a triathlon), I wanted to become a triathlete at SheTris.
From experience, I knew that setting goals and asking for help from community is so empowering and important. So I went to the online group of PNPTribe and posted out that I had a dream/goal of doing a tri. I told them I had found the perfect one in beautiful Charleston, SC and that I wondered if anyone would want to join in my new adventure. And as amazing PNP women always do, they responded whole-heartedly. Nine women (most of whom had never done a Tri) from all over the US and Canada, decided to join me in the SheTris journey. We would all train and learn together.
Forming an online private Facebook group, we trained separately, encouraged each other often, and celebrated our milestone. When race weekend came, we knew we were ready. From the moment I made my first stroke in the water, zoomed through the bike course, ran around that beautiful picturesque lake, and heard encouragement from friends and strangers, my heart filled with joy and determination. Crossing that finish line was fantastic, but I will say that watching each friend and woman coming across with her own story and accomplishment was equally amazing. We were all strong women, accomplishing goals, celebrating strength and diversity. We were TRIATHLETES!
At the beginning of last year, I decided to see if triathlon was for me. So inspiration in hand, I searched for a triathlon and found the inaugural SheTris Triathlon in 2016. The tag line “All women. Three sports. ONE JOURNEY” just sung out to my soul and spirit. I not only learned how to run as an adult, but also recently learned how to swim as well, and I hadn’t been on a bike in ages. So I knew my journey ahead was going to be long and challenging should I attempt to do all three together. But after reading through the mission of this triathlon (to empower and show women of any size, shape, age or ability they could do a triathlon), I wanted to become a triathlete at SheTris.
From experience, I knew that setting goals and asking for help from community is so empowering and important. So I went to the online group of PNPTribe and posted out that I had a dream/goal of doing a tri. I told them I had found the perfect one in beautiful Charleston, SC and that I wondered if anyone would want to join in my new adventure. And as amazing PNP women always do, they responded whole-heartedly. Nine women (most of whom had never done a Tri) from all over the US and Canada, decided to join me in the SheTris journey. We would all train and learn together.
Forming an online private Facebook group, we trained separately, encouraged each other often, and celebrated our milestone. When race weekend came, we knew we were ready. From the moment I made my first stroke in the water, zoomed through the bike course, ran around that beautiful picturesque lake, and heard encouragement from friends and strangers, my heart filled with joy and determination. Crossing that finish line was fantastic, but I will say that watching each friend and woman coming across with her own story and accomplishment was equally amazing. We were all strong women, accomplishing goals, celebrating strength and diversity. We were TRIATHLETES!
The next day, we all reveled in our glorious accomplishment by going to the beach. The laughter and friendship of that weekend was one of the highlights of this year. And I can’t wait to come back and do it all again, and this time 18 of my friends are joining me in the journey! We as women can do amazing things together with our own inner strength and the power of encouragement and support from one another. SheTris celebrates this spirit in each of us individually and together. I cannot wait to do it again. See you there!
-Marla
-Marla
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