Have you ever thought of participating or trying to participate in a triathlon? Thousands of people every year embark on these multi-sport races for the first time, in hopes of challenging their minds and push their bodies to limits they have not yet endured. Thirty-five Northwest cancer survivors met the challenge head on last Sunday at Seattle’s Genesse Park, the same way they battled their crushing diagnosis and disease.

With the help of local personal trainer, Kim Brasfield from Columbia Athletic Clubs – Pine Lake, these women were able to overcome mental fears and physical challenges in the Northwest’s largest all-women triathlon.

“I always expect nothing less than the best they can do,” said Brasfield. For the second year in a row, she dedicated her spare time to training first-time triathletes and cancer survivors to challenge themselves to fight — this time, not against the cancer that they courageously battled, but to get across the finish line.

This year, Brasfield trained 35 women, 15 of whom would complete a triathlon for the first time at the Danskin All Women’s Tri at Genesee Park. The sprint distance triathlon covered a .75K swim a 20K bike and a 5K run, and there are usually more than 4,500 participants. Over the past four months, she gathered volunteers from around the Pine Lake Club to act as assistant coaches in getting these women ready for the big day. Sue Dowling, fitness instructor and membership director, Jacque Guilliams, personal trainer, Jennifer Edson, cycling instructor, and members Lynn Kaner, Angie Oliver and Melissa Reisen all volunteered their time either in the water as “swim angels” or on the bike course providing coaching and encouragement to the athletes.

Five year cancer survivor and second time Danskin Triathlete, Lori LeVander said “The group atmosphere is what makes it fun, uplifting and so much easier to make the trainings. Without them, it would be so easy to give up.”

Brasfield organized three practice triathlons for the women to “get their feet wet” and additional practice swims both in Beaver Lake and in Lake Washington at the site of the race. Fear of the water and the actual swim leg of the race is what caused the most anxiety for the women, she said. She agreed with LeVander that “everyone felt better this year before the swim leg, like they were better prepared.”

Without the encouragement that Brasfield provided, and the help of the “swim angels” these women would have had a difficult time even getting in the water, let alone swimming a .75K. Pushing themselves to complete a triathlon is a small feat compared to battling cancer, but takes overcoming fears and the determination that comes with the human spirit in all of us.

With some of the women still in treatment at the time of the race, Lori and Kim agreed, “It’s a great way to focus on something so positive after or during something so negative.”

The races, and the training process, have helped the women feel like they are truly getting their lives back.

Lori was the first to say, this was “no pity party.” And, she cautioned, “It can always be worse.”

Amber Owen is fitness director at the Pine Lake Columbia Athletic Club. She can be reached at Ambero@columbiaathletic.com.