Hey Lise...

[Brina]

I think that is the one out in Naperville? I know a couple of women who are choosing between it and the danskin in WI. They are only about 2 weeks apart. I wasn't going to do a "girl" event, but I figure for my first one there is less chance or mortification.

[Lise]

So, Brina, I can't remember. Which are you doing? I can tell you that the non-woman specific tris I've done have supportive and friendly. At each one, there have been women older, heavier, less athletic looking than me.

My favorite is from the Leaning Tower Tri in May, from last year (I'm doing it again this year). There was an Irish woman who was probably 6" shorter than me and 50# heavier. We were in the same swim heat, our lanes next to each other. I struggled not to get dropped by her. I think she finished a lane ahead of me. I passed her on the bike (I have very long legs), and she caught back up to me on the run (I was walking at this point). I started to run with her, and she told me, "I am not walking". I got to hear her story-- 4 kids in as many years, weight got way up there, and for two years now she'd be training with the YMCA's program. The year before she didn't do the tri, so this was her first. She had a great sense of humor. I told her how I was struggling to keep up with her in the pool, and with her Irish brogue, she said, "Oh, swimmin's easy! I'm very bouyant!" Her four kids crossed the finish line with her. She really inspired me, and I'm going to keep an eye for her this year.

[tprevost]

Hey, this might be okay! I'll ponder it while sunning in havasu

Are you doing San Diego Denise?

T~

[Running Mommy]

yeah I can't see why not. I was going to do it last year but we were in Vegas for our anniversary trip..

[Brina]

Lise,

I am doing the danskin one just cause I know about half the field - probably an exageration, but there are a ton of women that I know who do it every year. The woman who put the run training program together took second in her age group last year.

The leaning tower one sounds interesting - that is the place just a bit west of all the new malls on touhy, right?

[Lise]

Right. I mean, you can't miss the Leaning Tower out in front. What a trip. Here's a link--if you decide to do it, let's plan to meet!

http://www.leaningtowerymca.org/cont...nt&sid=1028637

[Brina]

Lise,

I will think about it. I was considering doing a 5K that day in Wilmette, but this could definitely be more fun.

But explain to me: girls in the cold pool. boys in the warm pool.

That is just WRONG