In photo after photo, Tamara Lackey Studio photographer Jessi Blakely captured the proud and beaming faces of the bold and vivacious Ramblin’ Rose women at the 2010 Charlotte and Chapel Hill events. Children and husbands joined in and held up their signs of support for their sisters, moms and grand moms who painted their picture of strength and empowerment on the Ramblin’ Rose canvas.
As the editor of Endurance Magazine and a Ramblin’ Rose team member who has been with the race since it’s inception in 2006, I was happy to see Jessi capture on camera what I have been witnessing at races for the past five years: the joyous feeling of achievement on the faces of new triathletes. More importantly, caught in these photos is something unique to Ramblin’ Rose among other triathlons: the endearing and nurturing attitude that exists between training partners, athletes and coaches.
Whether drawn to the Ramblin’ Rose by approaching middle age, divorce, health, an empty nest, loss of a parent, or simply a desire to try something new, many women undertake the endeavor side by side with a training partner or training partners. In some cases, that partner is a daughter who will inevitably develop a positive sense of self that runs deeper and is more firmly entrenched than a sense of self based on physical appearance alone. In many cases, women choose to help their friends recharge their life batteries, too, as they follow the road to reinvention and self affirmation together.
In this issue, we preview the five Ramblin’ Rose Triathlons in North and South Carolina and look at the venues and charitable causes behind each race including Charlotte’s Tri It For Life, founded by Alyse Kelly Jones. We also feature a few of the amazing women, including our cover story LaGena Lookabill Greene, a person who completed her first Ramblin’ Rose early in 2010 (then did two more!), but has been living a life of endurance for over 25 years.
Every year, the number grows; from about 500 participants at the first Chapel Hill in event in 2006 to over 3,700 across 5 events in North and South Carolina in 2010. As old as 8 and as young as 70, women from all over the Carolinas (and soon to be all over the country!) choose the Ramblin’ Rose as the premier event for new triathletes. If you are a woman: sign up for a Ramblin’ Rose triathlon this year. If you are a man or a woman not ready to participate as an athlete: volunteer. I’ve volunteered at almost every event since 2006 and without a doubt have been better able to deal with the fears, doubts and disillusionments that come with getting older simply by witnessing these inspirational women race.
Sign up, volunteer, or read the inspiring stories in this issue to learn more about the amazing triathlon called the Ramblin’ Rose.
To sign up, please visit: www.ramblinroseevents.com
