ABOUT US

As 50th birthday approached, I wanted to do something to mark that milestone. After decades stuck at a desk in front of a computer for hours on end, I yearned to be the athlete I always thought I was. So I chose to do a triathlon. 

No, not an IRONMAN® triathlon but a simple “sprint distance.” That’s the type where you swim a little ways, bike a ways down the road, and then finish it all off with a short run. How hard could that be? How much fun would that be?

Little did I know I was about to embark on an incredibly life-changing and life-enhancing journey!

I signed up for a "beginner triathlon" in St. George, Utah, about two hours northeast of Las Vegas.

The pool swim as 200 yards (four laps), the bike segment five miles, and the run course 1.5 miles.

How hard could this be, right?

I bought a bike (which I still have) and a helmet from REI. I swam a bit in my gym's indoor pool. I jogged a little and walked more a couple days a week. I read a lot of blogs about "transition," recommended equipment, etc. 

The big day arrives and I'm excited...and nervous as heck! Here's what happened:

• My swim was a disaster! I couldn't catch my breath. I felt like I was flailing in the water. I ended up dog-paddling just to finish.
• I had to push my bike up *every* hill including the one out of the parking lot.
• Exhausted after the bike, I couldn't even jog the run. I walked it, and ended with shin splints that lasted days.
• My post-race nap lasted four hours!

Yes, I finished...yet I felt like an utter failure. I wasn't the athlete I thought I was.

So what did I do?

I signed up for the Vancouver Triathlon sprint race at Stanley Park in British Columbia, Canada. This would be a half-mile ocean swim, 12-mile bike, and 5K run. My first "real" triathlon.

Then I searched for and found a certified USA Triathlon coach here in Las Vegas to help me prepare for this!

For the next nine months, I trained with a fabulous coach and her supportive group (many of whom were like me, newbies!). I practiced "open water" swimming with my teammates in the warm waters of Lake Mead National Recreation Area.

Despite all the frustrations and self-doubt, I felt my confidence grow and my body became stronger. 

When I toed the start line on that cool, rainy September day in Vancouver, I felt excited and ready. The ocean water was refreshingly brisk (the Canadians thought I was from Alaska!). My swim was perfect (far from being last), the bike a real challenge with that gnarly hairpin, uphill turn, and my walk was gorgeous! 

Crossing the finish line was so sweeet! What was once a dream was now a reality. 

I've fast-walked countless 5K runs, a handful of 10Ks, and four half marathons (Bellingham Bay Half Marathon and the Rock ‘n’ Roll Las Vegas half marathon twice each).

After discovering a thing called "senior games" -- athletic competitions for adults ages 50-plus -- I went on to participate in triathlon, power walk, race walk, and cycling at state senior games in Idaho, Nevada, Utah, and Washington State.

I've qualified for the last five National Senior Games competitions. My experience at the 2019 National Senior Games in Albuquerque, New Mexico was magical!  I had so much fun doing race walk and time trial cycling, photographing and cheering on old and new friends, and exploring that beautiful city and culturally rich Santa Fe.

Since 2018, I’ve been an active volunteer with the Silver State Games (formerly Nevada Senior Games): triathlon coordinator, board member, social media manager, 5K/10K road races coordinator, and now webmaster (I wrote and designed their new website in Spring 2025).

Yes, this is truly a fabulous lifestyle that's based on fun and friendships! 

• You’re neither too old nor too out-of-shape to start walking, bicycling, or getting stronger. 
• Start where you are, 
• Do what you can, and 
• Focus enjoying what you can do

Let’s do this together!