Colvin has tuned up for triathlon debut

by Lisa Lynam, June 3, 2000

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 in the Danskin Women's Triathlon.

The race, geared to the first timer, starts with a .75-kilometer swim, follows with a 20-kilometer bike and finishes with a 5K run. It's a daunting task, but Danskin spokeswoman Sally Edwards says the emphasis is on having fun.

Colvin and more than 2,000 Austin-area women ages 12 to 70 will join the approximately 50,000 women nationwide who have participated in the only all women's triathlon series since it began in 1990.

Edwards, who has completed all 56 Danskin events since the series began. said, "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 she truly enjoyed.

"My 20s I spent paying my dues and living in New York. I struggled. In my 30s, I experienced a higher level of success, but I was on the road constantly. It was exhausting," said Colvin, who produced four albums over 10 years. with " A Few Small Repairs" going platinum in 1997. "You get caught up in making your dream reality."

More changes followed when she turned 40. She married, had a child, settled in Austin and sought fitness advice from Sarah Scott, who owns Ironsmith Fitness.

"Somehow this idea of a triathlon crept in," Colvin said.

With Scott's guidance. Colvin 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," Colvin said. "I didn't branch out until I made the goal to do the Danskin. It's been a surprising outcome."

Colvin expects to have some pre-race jitters Sunday.

"I so rarely get nervous when I sing anymore," she said. "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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