TriGals Take on The Big Apple

The plane landed bright and early on Friday morning and the flight attendant announced over the speaker, "As we disembark, we need to wish three ladies on our flight lots of luck as they compete in the New York City Triathlon this weekend..." This is how Andrea Duffey, Stacie Marlin and her daughter, Brittany Marlin, started the Olympic Distance Triathlon. The race, which has approximately 3,500 competitors and sold out in seven minutes, comprises a 0.9 mile swim in the Hudson River, a 25-mile bike ride up the Henry Hudson Parkway, and a 6.2 mile run through Central Park. Having missed the seven minute cut-off, I tagged along for moral support.

After making most of the Big Apple, Sunday was here before we knew it. We arrived to the hustle and bustle of transition and I watched them meticulously prepare their shoes, nutrition, drinks and equipment. Brittany, 19, was the youngest woman participant in the entire race and had a goal of a good time. Having done this distance before, Stacie, tried to stay cool, but looked a little intimidated at the Hudson River current – since it appeared to be going the wrong way. Andrea also kept looking at the river thinking, "Why did this seem like a good idea at sign up?"

They lined up along the river and they made their way down to the barge, where they jumped in. I was able to actually follow them along the sidewalk and even had a few shout outs for Andrea as she made her way through the 1,200-meter swim. They all made their way to transition to remove the wetsuits. They grabbed their bikes and headed out the Henry Hudson Parkway. It’s hilly, not the Florida flats we were used to. I caught them all at each transition for shout outs and encouragement and actually got to run with Andrea for a bit. Central Park proved a beautiful and rolling hill.

Brittany crossed the finish line first with a big smile, followed by Stacie. Then came Andrea. Stacie and Brittany jumped back on the course and ran in with Andrea. For someone who doesn't consider herself an athlete, she had just become an Olympic Distance Triathlete!

The look of accomplishment on their faces was priceless. After recovering in the park a while, we headed to the hotel and toasted their accomplishment. Showered, we put on our best and headed out for a well deserved dinner and drinks in the best city in the world.

The next day we made our way to the Today Show, where they were personally congratulated by Matt, Ann and Al. Very cool.

Would we do it again? You bet!

By Bahama Russell