As most of you know, our training group seasons (both run and triathlon) came to an end and many of those women ran races the weekend of June 5. Lots of them came back with inspiring stories, and I was moved to share one with you all.
Kathy is a first-time Olympic triathlete. Here’s her story. (It’s long, but well worth the read.)

Kathy in the cycling portion of the triathlon.
Well, if you want the short version – here it is: IT WAS HARD…probably harder than I thought it would be, mostly thanks to that bloody 90 degree heat.
OK, here’s the long version:
Getting to the Tri for Real race day was quite a roller coaster for me. After starting the season convinced that an Olympic tri should be my goal event, I had several days of fear after completing a sprint tri in early May that was harder than expected. Convinced by Noel and a colleague that an Olympic triathlon was the right goal event (and the one I wanted), I finally committed to the Tri for Real a couple of weeks ago. I was feeling pretty good about it until mid-race week when one of the Janes sent out the weather report and I faced the reality that I’d be running in 90 degree heat.
My rock and supporter at all my tris to date, my husband, told me on Thursday he wasn’t going to be able to join me at the race on Sunday due to an ongoing illness that was sapping his energy. So, I headed into the weekend with a heavy heart! This was offset in large part by my 12-year-old daughter’s insistence that she come with me because “you have to have someone from your family there to celebrate with you when you cross the finish line!” She is amazing. And thanks to my sis for driving up there Sunday morning to cheer me on and be with my daughter.
Finally convinced myself I could definitely finish, even though it might be ugly. Well, ugly it was…

Hugs all around for Kathy's first Olympic triathlon finish!
Woke to a beautiful clear Sunday morning. Still terrified about the heat. Check in – wow, I’m a USAT member for a day! Kept missing the SJR transition area until I finally counted and spotted the big flower marker two rows away. Noel—head trainer for the See Jane Run triathlon team—patiently helped us get set up until we finally realized we were over-thinking it and headed for the water. Those buoys looked VERY far away.
Finally time to start – the water felt wonderful! A cardinal rule of racing is not to use any new equipment or nutrition on race day. Well, I tried out new goggles once two days before, and decided to use them on race day. Bad idea. Couldn’t get a good seal on the goggles and kept having to stop swimming to adjust – argh. Felt pretty strong on the swim, although very conscious of the volunteer in the kayak who was waiting for me to hurry up and finish so he could get out of the water. Yes, I was the last off the swim. Saw my sis and daughter waiting for me, cheering me on.
Swim – bike transition was quick. Thanks to Noel for telling me not to bother with pulling on bike shorts and get a pair of tri shorts! Headed out on the beautiful course, made good time. The EMT at the turnaround asked if I was OK, and commented that they kept watching me on the swim, hoping I was OK. I assured her I was fine…just slow!
This is really a great course for a triathlon. Gentle slopes, nothing too hard, not much traffic, and beautiful countryside – although those power plant towers are a little surreal. I made up some time on the bike, finished in my goal time. As I came across the dam, I saw Noel standing at the run 2-1/2 mile mark, snapping photos and cheering on all the Janes. That was great! As I crossed the bike finish, I could hear the Jane mentors and supporters - thanks Rachel and Kathy – cheering. My daughter Sarah was standing outside the transition area, urging me on.
So, headed out for the run, past Rachel, Kathy and some other Janes for the next dreaded portion of the course. It was as bad if not worse than I expected. Running in 90 degree heat is not my cup of tea. Dumped cold water on my head at every water station – that helped for about 15 minutes! All the incoming runners were so encouraging – even the super-fit guy who did the run twice…just for fun! He told me I was doing great and said DON’T QUIT!!! Well, that’s all it took – as I walked nearly half the course, told myself, I am going to finish this baby if it’s the last thing I do…..and I did! It was a bit disheartening on the last mile to see the pickup truck with all the equipment from the last water station tailing me.
Sarah ran all the way out to the road to meet me, looking very concerned – I’m sure she wondered where I was for the last hour and a half! There was Rachel, Kathy, Lori, Noel, my sister Judi and Judy (who won her age group!!!) patiently waiting to see me cross that finish line. Thanks for your confidence in me and willingness to be there for me at the end.
The announcer was so sweet – mad a big deal of announcing my finish and recognizing me. It was a very emotional finish; in fact I am tearing up as I write this. Still really bummed out about being last, but hey, someone’s got to do it. What is important is that I (and all you other amazing triathletes) did it. We set a goal and we trained hard, supported each other, made beautiful friendships and FINISHED.

Kathy and her daughter, Sarah, after the race.
This is the hardest physical challenge I have ever met, and hopefully in a couple days will be glad I did it! Not sure if my first Olympic Tri won’t be my last. (My first comment to Noel as she gave me a big hug after finishing was that I wasn’t going to do this again – she said wait a couple days to make that decision!)
Happy trails to all and my congrats to all you Janes who are relentlessly striving for that next goal – YOU ROCK and inspire me to continue to stretch.
-Kathy