| The first time I participated in a triathlon, I wanted to | | | | Triathlon and Irongirl Series all the way to smaller local |
| stop. As I plowed up hills (who picked this course?) | | | | womens triathlon events. There is probably a |
| on my heavy mountain bike, women who passed me | | | | women's triathlon held in a city not far from you. |
| would encourage me on and yell "you go girl"! As I | | | | The growth in womens triathlons reflects the |
| ran--no, plodded--down the trail, sometimes slowing | | | | growing number of women competing in this sport. |
| to a walk, the women coming from the other | | | | As of 2007, USAT, the official governing body of |
| direction would cheer me on telling me I didn't have | | | | triathlon in the US, reported that the percentage of |
| much further to go. And as I finally and unbelievably | | | | its 100,000-strong membership that is female has |
| crossed the finish line, those who finished earlier | | | | grown from just over a quarter to just over a third |
| stood around the finish line hooting and rooting for | | | | in the past eight years. |
| those of us bringing up the rear. I wanted to stop, | | | | But why participate in a women's only triathlon? For |
| but they weren't going to let me. The support and | | | | many women, competing in a triathlon not so much |
| companionship of a womens triathlon is an incredible | | | | about the results. The fun is in the training and racing |
| push, especially for beginner triathletes. | | | | and seeing how you improve. You're judging your |
| When organized triathlons were first held in the | | | | body by how it performs for you, not by how it |
| 1970's, the competitors, male or female, were often | | | | looks. For many womens triathlon organizers, the |
| hard-core athletes who were previously competitors | | | | race is about a celebration of women's fitness. |
| in college swimming, distance biking or marathons. | | | | Women's events also offer camaraderie as much as |
| Triathlon participants were looking to be the fastest | | | | competition in this multisport event. When you are |
| and garner a spot on the podium. | | | | new to this involved sport, it is comforting and |
| But there was another breed of competitor, | | | | inspiring to being able to talk to others with the same |
| especially among women: an "ordinary" female who | | | | life issues and challenges as you. Womens triathlons |
| enjoyed being active and liked a challenge. These | | | | that welcome beginners also give a lot of instruction |
| were the women who started organizing triathlon | | | | on what to expect so you aren't trying to figure it |
| events specifically for women that weren't just | | | | out while you race. |
| about winning, but meeting the challenge and | | | | Women's triathlons offer standard race lengths |
| enjoying the effort. The first womens triathlons were | | | | (sprint length at 500m swim/20Kbike/5krun or |
| being organized in the US and Australia in the late 80s | | | | Olympic length at 1k swim/40k bike/20k run). Many |
| and early 90's. Now womens triathlons like the | | | | offer slightly shorter lengths (such as .25 mi/8 mi bike |
| Danskin Triathlon Series boast some of the greatest | | | | 1.5 mi run) so first timers and those who are still a |
| participation rates in the world. In 19 years that the | | | | little out of shape, can get their feet wet. |
| Danskin series has been around, it has grown from | | | | More than just a race, a womens triathlon often |
| 450 women participating in three events to 25,000 | | | | provides a supportive environment for women of all |
| women swimming, cycling and running in eight races in | | | | ages and athletic abilities coupled with a weekend of |
| different cities. Other womens triathlons have since | | | | fun and the opportunity to see just how far you can |
| been created like the larger Luna All-Women's | | | | go. |