Photo by Jessi Blakely


Angela L. Jeffers, 41, Concord, NC

Attorney

 

My friends Janice, Carla, and Fredericka motivated me to do Ramblin’ Rose. They seemed so pumped up and excited about the RR although they do several triathlons during the year.

 

My most memorable moment was simply doing the race with my friends. We trained together; encouraged each other, and cheered each other on the entire race. I really liked that the Tri It For Life ladies helped me learn how to swim for a race.

 

# # #

 

Carla Archie, 40, Charlotte

Attorney

 

I was complaining about not losing weight and a coworker (who later became my trainer) suggested that I needed to identify a goal rather than focus on the scale. As an experienced triathlete, she recommended the Ramblin’ Rose as a worthy goal. I didn’t lose a lot of weight, but I am certainly more active and more fit than I used to be.

 

The scale still doesn’t reflect a number I like, but when I starting training, I could barely run a block without almost passing out! Now, I’ve completed 2 Roses and several 5Ks.

 

As I came up the final hill on the bike (which was a beast!), I remembered the eulogist at my mom’s funeral who talked about her tenacity. She never stopped walking, he said; so I never stopped peddling!

 

# # #

 

Fredericka Bryant, 40, Charlotte

Paralegal

 

The most significant challenge that I overcame this year and still trying to work through was the death of my father in June. Working out for me took on a different meaning at that point as I actually had hired a personal trainer the week before his passing. He would tell me this is the one hour where no one should disturb you—concentrate on yourself here, and handle the rest of the world later. 

 

Running was the most difficult for me this year because the course went past Huntersville Oaks Nursing Home, which was where my dad died. Up until race day I kept thinking, maybe just skip the run so I won’t have to pass the facility. I told myself later that neither he nor my mom would like that, so I did it. I must have been looking just crazy enough for someone to jog with me, because before I knew it I was on the track.

 

# # #

 

Janice Tucker, 40, Charlotte

Attorney

 

I’ve been doing triathlons for 5 years and had begun to lose that internal drive to train and compete. To regain some of that focus I decided to reach out to some of my friends and challenge them to do this race. I loved the concept when I read about it in Endurance Magazine and felt they would benefit greatly from this race.

 

I’ve convinced 7 people to do this race with the simple phrase . . .”I know you can do it.”

My life is so much richer now from this opportunity to experience this race with my friends and fellow triathletes! I watched them struggle, stop, grow, and struggle some more to achieve their goals and I’ve been humbled by the experience.