Danskin Triathlon

Austin American Statesmen, June 2, 2000

by Lisa Lynam

Three-time Grammy award winner Shawn Colvin has a new gig this Sunday.  The Austin-based singer and songwriter will replace her guitar with a carbon fiber Trek bicycle and dive into the waters of Lake Travis to perform the Danskin Women's Triathlon. For Colvin and over 2000 Austin area women aged 12 to 70, the tune will be swim-bike-run - as they join the 50,000 women nation-wide who have participated in the world's only all-women's triathlon series since it began in 1990.

The race, geared to the first timer, starts with a 750-meter swim, follows with a 20-kilometer bike, and finishes with a 5 kilometer run. A daunting task for some - but as Danskin Spokeswoman Sally Edwards says, the aim is to have fun. After completing every Danskin since the series began (56), Edwards emphasizes, "I know that the winner is the woman who has the most fun.it is a life changing experience."

Colvin couldn't agree more. After 25 years in the music business, the 44-year-old mom said she began to lose sight of what was fun. "My twenties I spent paying my dues and living in New York. I struggled. In my thirties I experienced a higher level of success, but I was on the road constantly, really having no time to enjoy anything. It was exhausting. You get caught up in making your dream reality, said Colvin, who produced four albums over 10 years, with her last one - A Few Small Repairs - going platinum in 1997.

A few small changes followed when she turned 40 - getting married, having a child, settling in Austin permanently, and seeking help from fitness expert Sarah Scott, owner of Ironsmith Fitness."I feel like I back pedaled and looked at the quality of life issue. Somehow this idea of a triathlon crept in", Colvin said.

With Scott's guidance she decided she wanted to do the Danskin. "I was running and weight lifting and didn't have interest in swimming - I thought it was boring. I didn't branch out until I made the goal to do the Danskin.  It's been a surprising outcome. I've learned how to perform these sports in a whole different way. I've watched myself get more efficient and it has really been fun."

Balancing the demands of work on her fifth album, her 2-year old daughter Callie, and training has been a challenge, Colvin admits - but it can be done. "I've had the motivation to follow through and I didn't come up with excuses. "

Colvin trained with Scott's ensemble of six first-timers - Team Ironsmith - for up to two hours a day. "She's a remarkable athlete with a never say die attitude", Scott said, who will also partake in the event.  Colvin has welcomed the change. "This is really the first thing in a long time that I've really been excited about. It's really changed my life.  I've quit smoking and enjoyed the spirit of camaraderie and healthy competition. It's built my ego. I didn't know I was capable of this", said the talented singer. "I'm not used to pushing myself through physical pain - mentally, yes, artistically, yes -  so it's been weird." Chuck Praisner is another participant whose life has been changed by the Danskin triathlon. After heart surgery last May for a condition known as arrhythmia, Praisner decided she wanted to do the triathlon to know that she was healthy again. She started with walking for a month, then began to run, and joined friends at Bicycle 360 for bike training. She sought advice with the Danskin mentor program and joined Austin Triathletes club.  As a full time homemaker with a nine-year old son and seven-year-old daughter, Praisner found her selfish training a boost for her self-confidence and beneficial to her family. "To accomplish something besides being a 100% stay-at-home mom, makes me not so cranky with the kids.  I've learned it's okay to let some things go. I was being too uptight about the mom role things like getting a big meal on the table every night. But I found they didn't really care. "

So Praisner substituted time in the kitchen for bike rides and swims.  Things are way more relaxed now. I feel like a whole different person. It makes me sit back and realize that life is good.

Such life altering experiences have drawn more numbers than ever before to this years event. Director Marion Burch capped entries to 2000 participants for safety reasons. The event filled to capacity on May 30.

The growth of the event each year, while it provides logistical challenges, is so inspiring. Just knowing that so many women decide to take this challenge drives me to make this the best race possible. I love hearing the stories and answering the questions about training and what to expect on race day, said Burch.

Colvin expects to have some pre-race jitters. I so rarely get nervous when I sing anymore. If I break a string, my voice falters or someone in the audience is unruly, I know what to do, but I've never swam, biked and run this distance, so I don't know what will happen. But I know there is a beginning and an end, just like there is for a show.

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