She won the 100-mile Western States Endurance Run and set a world record in the Ironman Triathlon, but triathlete Sally Edwards is happiest when she comes in last.
As “chief inspiration officer” for the Trek Women Triathlon Series, the 16-time Ironman competitor makes sure she’s behind every woman in the race. Literally.
Edwards, 61, has been the ultimate finisher in more than 100 races, volunteering to cheer on runners, cyclists and swimmers to the end.
“Sal has gone from the Top 10 to dead last,” says race director Maggie Sullivan. “She is the last set of feet to cross over. Everyone appreciates someone holding a hand out to them and making it possible to take that step forward.”
Edwards and Sullivan worked together on the Danskin women’s triathlon series from its start in 1990, building a brand and an experience in the emerging triathlon field. Last year, they left Danskin to create Trek’s new series of races for women. They plan to bring the same spirit of encouragement that infused “The Danskin” to the Trek series, which comes to Denver next weekend.
In a conference call, the pair said they hope to encourage a diverse group of women to give the run (or walk) and bike race a try.
Q:How do you get women who don’t exercise interested?
Sally Edwards: It is the hardest customer in the world to talk to. They probably know that exercise is good for them. But we’re pretty scary.
Q: Yeah, like mean gym teachers.Edwards: That’s right. I think of those women as “fresh off the couch”; they’re saying “I’ve hit this threshold, and I have to do something.” If they have an adventuresome spirit and want to try something new, we say, “You can do this.”
Q: No, I can’t.
Edwards: I hear that all the time.
Q: I walked most of my first (and only) 5K.
Edwards: Many of the women will run-walk. Part of the course is a brand-new walking trail. We are hoping the run-bike-run format is popular in Denver. It’s one of two cities that doesn’t have the swim component.
Q: So you’re looking to reach more than just the hard-body woman?
Edwards: Racer chicks have plenty of confidence. They’re the up-and-comers. The gals that we care about are returning to fitness — the health-club athlete who thinks, “Maybe it’s time to dip my toe in an outdoor event.”
Q: What if walking to your car is all the exercise you get? How do you motivate those women?
Edwards: I tell them to focus on what’s important in their life. Connect with your heart. It’s really valuable, because we get hung up in our heads, and, in large part, our health depends on connecting with our bodies. Where is this disconnect? It is in the communication with the heart.
Q: How do you do that?
Edwards: Be quiet for a minute. Go to your heart, breathe, focus. I tell women, “I know that you can do this.”
Q: Even if they don’t believe it themselves?
Edwards: I empower them. I tell them, “Today you will be a great swimmer. Tomorrow you may be a lousy swimmer but today, I believe in you.”
Maggie Sullivan: Sally looks at any shape or size of woman, and it wouldn’t even occur to her that she couldn’t do it. We say, “You know how to ride a bike; you know how to walk. Why not do the race?
Q: If someone reads this and decides today she wants to do this race, can she?
Edwards: You have to train, but it’s never too late to train. It will get you across the finish line, and it won’t be ugly, and you won’t be last.
Sullivan: We’re in large part beaten down with the messages, “I’m too fat. Too busy. I’m a loser.” We want women to take comfort in knowing they aren’t alone in that dilemma.
Q: What if no one in her circle exercises?
Edwards: People are undermining each other all the time, telling them they’re not good enough. Never tell someone they can’t do something. If your friends do that, ditch ’em. Tell your friends your plan and say, “I’d like your support.”
Q: How are men included in these women-only events?
Edwards: We’ve seen a lot of support from guys. To see their mom or aunt or sister differently, see them in something other than that traditional role for them.
Q: Why start a new company after so many years in the triathlon business?
Sullivan: We believe in the commitment to women and girls in sports. We were sort of the pioneers in that group. There’s tremendous emotional and psychological payback in doing work that allows me to play a small part in bringing positive change in someone else’s life — to see that look of accomplishment and achievement on the face of someone who never thought she could do something like this.
Kristen Browning-Blas: 303-954-1440 or kbrowning@denverpost.com
Stay on track with regular exercise
Set goals. Start with simple goals, and then progress to longer-range goals. Remember to make your goals realistic and achievable.
Think variety. Alternate walking or biking with swimming or a low-impact aerobics class.
Make physical activity part of your daily routine. Schedule workouts as you would any other important activity.
Put it on paper. Chart your progress and accomplishments.
Have fun. You’re more likely to stick with an exercise program if you’re having fun. If you’re not enjoying your workouts, try something different: Join a volleyball or softball league; take a ballroom dancing class. mayoclinic.com
Run, women, run!
What: The Trek Women Series Denver duathlon, a 2.5-mile run, 10-mile bike ride, followed by another 2.5-mile run.
When: Expo 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday; race 6:30 a.m. Sunday
Where: Dick’s Sporting Goods Park, Commerce City
How to register: Go to , call 1-877-221-9665 or e-mail info@trekwomenstriathlon.com.
How much: Individual, $75; relay team, $145 (plus $10 fee for nonmembers of USA Triathlon). Each entry includes one free ticket to a Colorado Rapids game.
Competition categories: Age, elite, women in uniform (government, military, fire, police, nurses), physically challenged, Athena (150 or more pounds, a voluntary category), and relay team. Women who have been laid off in the past six months can request to have their entry fee waived.
Charity: Participants’ pledges go to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation and the National Association of Team Survivor.
