Women Race - in Texas - MultiSportswomen Duathlon

>What can happen when you ride your bike a lot:
>MultiSportswomen Duathlon review
>By Lisa Lynam
>(www.multisportswomen.com)

>Sometimes you have to be careful about what you dream about. I seem to 
>dream most when I ride my bike, White Lightning, through the Hill Country. 
>There’s nothing I love doing more. And since we did plenty of century rides 
>last summer, I had plenty of time to dream.
>
>It’s hard to believe what started as a tiny thought grew into such a 
>magnificent race to honor women of all ages and abilities as SPORTSwomen. I 
>believe there is an athlete in every one of us and the development of my 
>MultiSportswomen duathlon stemmed from that thought and my desire to give 
>back to the sport and to my sponsors. Had I known how much effort it would 
>take, I might not have so eagerly jumped into the project, as I essentially 
>gave up my spring training and summer season of races to pull the event 
>together with the level of excellence I desired. However, I do not regret 
>the sweat and tears, as I know I’ve established a great event that will 
>grow and continue to impact women’s lives.
>
>It was a pretty powerful thought when I rose at 4 am on race day morning 
>and realized that over 600 people – participants, volunteers and spectators 
>– would be getting up to congregate at Wells Branch Community Center all 
>because of me and some thought I had while riding my bike.  Knowing I was 
>making a positive difference in people’s lives was a fulfilling feeling.
>
>For those women who tested their abilities, crossed that finish line and 
>were empowered – congrats. For those who came out to volunteer or be part 
>of the organizing and were rewarded by seeing the joy on women’s faces – 
>thank you so very much. Know that your support and contributions played a 
>role in the event’s success and the lives of hundreds of women and I am 
>forever appreciative.
>
>The event was an overwhelming success with nearly 400 women participating, 
>100 volunteers supporting the event and numerous spectators cheering from 
>the sidelines.
>
>It is hard to believe how this event touched so many women’s lives (most 
>were new to multisport) and left them with a sense of accomplishment that 
>would not have otherwise been possible without the women only format. I 
>have had many women email me with thoughtful messages, some included below, 
>and I wish to encourage all of you to provide comments and suggest 
>improvements you would like to see for next year.  (email me at 
>womenfirst@hotmail.com)
>
>Our research found that the majority of women participating in the event 
>were between the ages of 25-39 (70% of participants), half (49%) had no 
>children and 33% had one child and 18% had two or more children. The most 
>frequent vehicle from promotion was through a friend (40%), with 
>advertising second (36.6%) and the internet/websites third (21%).
>
>On race day we were able to donate $1000 to our benefiting charity Liv in 
>the Game, a sports based mentoring program for fifth grade girls.
>
>SPONSORS
>
>Just a reminder about all the businesses and people who supported the 
>event. We hope that you will support them with your patronage. Each of them 
>helped make the event the success that it was. Links to their websites can 
>be found from the our site at www.multisportswomen.com.
>BICYCLE SPORT SHOP, TREK, ROGER BEASLEY SABB, WELLS BRANCH COMMUNITY 
>CENTER, RUNTEX, TALL PINES MARATHONS, MULTISPORTS PRODUCTIONS, IRONSMITH – 
>THE FITNESS DOCTORS, AUSTIN TRICYCLIST, RUNNER TRIATHLETE NEWS, HEB, CITY 
>OF AUSTIN WATER, GATORADE, OZARKA, CERAMICS BAYOU, FAMILY HEALTH 
>CHIROPRACTIC, ALICIA MARTIN MASSAGE THERAPY (Alicia notes, she is still 
>offering any participants of the duathlon $5 off for a massage. I’m sure 
>that after all that training and racing a massage is well deserved! She can 
>be contacted at 296-1033)
>
>COMMITTEE
>
>Last, but very not least, I present to you the people that dedicated 
>themselves to the event with hours of hard and rewarding work. If you wish 
>to get in touch with them personally to thank them or find out about what 
>their job entails in case you’d like to get involved next year, I’ve 
>included their emails below.
>
>Claire Stevens, Finish line and Bicycle Sport Shop promotions, 
>claire@bicyclesportshop.com
>Rick Lewis, Bike and Run Course director, Communications director, Site 
>Liaison, rlewis@tpmarathons.org
>Sherry Lepine, Food and Aid Stations, leswine@io.com
>Michelle Krejci, Volunteers, espana76@aol.com
>Alissa Magrum, Volunteers LIV in the Game, alissa.magrum@twc.state.tx.us
>Jennifer Gaynor, Awards, Childcare, Parking, rgauch@msn.com
>Stacey Head, Marketing coordinator, sahoss@hotmail.com
>Elizabeth Shafer, Registration, T-shirts, eshafer@timcmortgage.com
>Angie Eisman, Designer, ajeisman@flash.net
>Maggie Gallant, Website designer, usagallant@aol.com
>Lynn Francis, Medical, lynnf1610@aol.com
>Phillip Puzzo, Start line and Transition, ppuzzo@hotmail.com
>Pam von Mende, Homestays, pvonmende@mmm.com
>Chris Summers, Advisor, csummers@wwdb.org
>Chuck Praisner, Treasurer, cpraisner@austin.rr.com
>Lisa Lynam, Race Director, Sponsorships, womenfirst@hotmail.com
>
>Participant comments from the Multisportswomen Duathlon
>
>Thank you so much for putting in all the effort necessary to make your 
>dream a reality. Participating in the duathlon today was for me, and I'm 
>sure many other women, simply invigorating. As a first-time multisport 
>athlete, I will forever remember this experience and the feeling of 
>empowerment which it bestowed upon me.  I'll look forward to participating 
>again next year!
>-Julie Ruben
>
>It was really a challenging day and one of fun and camaraderie!
>-Anne Jarriel
>
>I just wanted to say thanks and congratulations for a very FUN and well run 
>duathlon. Everything was so well organized, your volunteers did a fantastic 
>job, the sponsors provided great prizes, and everyone seemed to have a good 
>time. I look forward to doing it again next year. I know a lot of effort
>goes into pulling off an event like that, so again, thanks for all your 
>hard work.
>-Sue Holzer
>
>I want to thank you personally for all the hard work that resulted in the 
>event this last weekend. My friend, Sue Holzer, first introduced us to this 
>world last year. We first listened to Sally speak and then took your
>Triathlon course and after that, its been Danskins and a whole new world 
>for us. I am actually excited about reaching 50 now and I feel better than 
>I have in years. I used to try and keep up with my kids, now they can't 
>keep up with Mom.
>People like you are changing so many lives, in such a positive way.
>Thank you
>-Patricia Cook
>
>Wanted to thank you again for the wonderful duathlon you put on. My mom has 
>been exercising on her own since, and she's looking forward to doing 
>another one in Houston in August. Now my mom is interested in my exercise; 
>she always asks how my rides are going and how I'm doing. And, she even 
>gives me her own news on how she did 4 miles riding around the 
>neighborhood! I am so proud of my mom! I had to force her to do the 
>duathlon, but you were the one who organized it! And you did a wonderful 
>job. Thank you so much! I never dreamed my mom could be like this.
>Bobby.
>
>