Pattie DeMaria:

This triathlon is about finding myself as an athlete – to shout out to the world, “Hey, look what I just did!”  But most important, to shout out to myself, “Hey, look what I just did!” 

When I received the “it’s cancer” phone call eight years ago, I wasn’t surprised.  With two sisters who’d gotten that same call months before me, I was next in line.   I was fortunate. My fight against cancer was short, but living with the aftermath will be lifelong.  When you have any surgery, someone rattles off a list of “possible complications” which no one you’ve ever heard of actually had and it’s unlikely, so you put it out of your mind.  Well… it happened.  Parathyroid glands destroyed in surgery = a lifetime of maintaining the delicate balance of calcium one’s body needs to function.  It’s not easy; it’s a rollercoaster, and takes work to get this ride under control – time to reclaim MY body. 

This triathlon is also about cancer and about us as women taking a stand for our bodies.  If the monies raised from this event can help even one woman, then I can handle this adventure.  My goal is to finish strong – and to stay strong long after the cheering crowds fade away – to find the inspiration inside of me to continue the journey towards wellness because it’s fun and because I love it!

Cheryl Greaney:

Chess--why sign up for a triathlon????? I watched the Tri for a Cure last summer and was inspired by the event. This july marks my 5th anniversary of ovarian and uterine cancer survivorship, i wanted to mark this milestone with a powerful experience. Signing up for my first triathlon seemed perfect. Now the training, the process of learning about triathlons, and meeting such amazing people along the way has been such an inspiration. My goals are to improve my fitness level, learn all i can, meet exceptional people and finish the event with a smile!!!! The more i train my goal is to become a triathlete!!!!!I everytime Chess calls us Triathletes I get chills!!!!!!! Each Tri-Chix is an amazing inspiration.

Ann Houser:

I was in the “audience” at the first Tri for a Cure last year, and was very moved by those women’s commitment to curing cancer, to their fitness, and to each other in community. Many people in my life have been impacted by cancer, a few very close to home, so whatever I can do to bring cures….I must. My soul is a young, fit, spirited, athlete that has always loved being physical, in particular as a part of a team……a community.  That fit athlete is now housed in a 56 year old, overweight body…...and my involvement in the Tri is a commitment to myself to take the time to do what I love; I deserve it, and in the meantime, shed some weight to reduce the risk of injury while I’m being physical.  AND, to do all of this in a community of women is about as good as it gets. Go Tri Chix!

Annie Hodgdon:

Last summer my older sister Jen was diagnosed with breast cancer.  For anyone with a friend or family member who has been diagnosed with cancer, you can probably share in my feeling of helplessness.  At that time, I lived over three hours from her and it seemed like there was little I could physically do for her.  That is when I first got the idea to do this triathlon.  Unfortunately, registration was already full, so I have been waiting ever since to sign up. I made sure that I was one of the lucky 600 who was able to register this year!  Jen is by far the strongest, most resilient person I have ever met in my life.  She has overcome more obstacles than anyone thought humanly possible and continues to amaze me.  I know that if she can endure all that she has been through, I can do this small thing in her honor.

Background:   I've been a basketball player since about 2nd grade.  I played competitively in high school, AAU, and college.  I was very accustomed to hours of practice and training, but I've definitely learned that training for a specific sport and training for a triathlon are far, far different!

Heather Murley:

This is my first triathlon season.  I was introduced to the "tri" concept by my ultra-competitive sister-in-law.  I decided  to give it a go and as time has passed for me, Tri for a Cure has become so much more than just a triathlon.  The other Tri-Chix I have met, their stories, have inspired me in so many ways.  I am amazed and so proud of these woman and all of the reasons they have decided to participate in this event.  For the first time in a while a feel a great sense of strength and unity in womankind. I look forward to continued training for this season and many more to come...

Wendy Haskell:

This is my first ever triathlon. I decided to compete in this worthy event because I am so grateful for my own health, having spent 32 years in nursing caring for ill and injured folks and never ceasing to be inspired by them all. I will offer my personal best in this competition to raise needed funds for cancer research and
treatment.

Why am I doing this “craziness?”  Because I think I can?……because I need a goal to strive towards to get my body back in shape?…..because last year this time I was still receiving chemotherapy to fight any cancer cells that might have been lurking in my body after my breast was removed!  At this point last year I found that walking from my car to my classroom was a major ordeal.  Because I survived cancer, I feel that I have a debt to pay back – to those who lost their battle to cancer, to those who survived cancer before me, and to those whose unfailing love surrounded me during my treatments and helped me survive.  I have been somewhat athletic all my life, but cancer really took a toll on my strength.  My goal is to get my body back into its “pre-cancer” state.  I can think of no better way than by training for a triathlon – something I never dreamt I could do even before cancer!  I aim to finish!

Laurie Faulkner:
Last July I had a complete change in my life. I underwent Bariatric Surgery, I had the lapband done. I have struggled with my weight all of my life, and decided it was time to do something about it. I come from a very un-athletic family. I found out I was going to be a Grandmother, I wanted to be able to move around with all of my Grandchildren. When I decided to do this surgery my friend and co Tri-athlete Kelley Cloutier told me that we were going to do a triathlon. I thought she was crazy, but here we are coming down to the wire in training and preparing. It has been the best journey of my life. While I have been blessed to not have Cancer in my family I know so many people who have had to experience it. I hope the efforts I put forth can help all of them.

I had the privilege of participating in the Tri For A Cure last year.  I have to admit; when I signed up I wasn’t aware of what the Tri For A Cure was all about. I was simply signing up for my first triathlon in an effort to get into shape.  I invited my sister to join me in my venture (she has done many triathlons) as insurance that I wouldn’t back out half way through!  Once she accepted my invitation, my focus turned to beating her! (like that was going to happen!)

At the commencement of the race, Julie & Abby requested the survivors to come to the front of the crowd. That’s when this whole “Tri For A Cure” hit me. These women standing in front of us, in their pink caps, had already endured their own race and won.  As I fought back the tears I remember thinking: they are the champs…..they are stronger than any athlete could ever think of being….beating my sister doesn’t mean squat…..my race time doesn’t mean squat. This race is about the courageous women who have endured their own race with cancer and won. So, Tri Chix ladies, as you find your way thru the training and when race day arrives, I hope the women in the pink caps inspire you to finish strong and have an experience of a lifetime.  Enjoy the race, have fun with it and remember, in this race....your race time really doesn’t mean squat. J