TTG Member Spotlight - Lupita Hernandez

My name is Lupita Hernandez. I am a Braille instructor and teacher of the visually impaired at SAAVI Services for the Blind here in Tucson, Arizona. My hobbies and interests include raising, buying and selling farm animals. I also enjoy reading, talking on the phone and gardening.

After graduating from the University of Arizona one of my former professors began running with me. She mentioned triathlons but at the time I wasn’t ready to do one but thought possibly in the future I may want to. I have also participated in several races including El Tour de Tucson 111 mile (gold, silver and bronze), El Tour de Tucson Mountains, and Break Away to the Border (first place women’s tandem). It wasn’t until last year when I was talking with a former student who told me how much fun she was having as a member of the Tucson Tri Girls. I wanted to know more and that week I too became a Tucson Tri Girl!!!

The first triathlon I did was the Shyann Kindness Tri for Acts of Kindness in September of last year and triathlons became addictive to me. I met Coach Robin who guided me in other triathlons. One of the things I have loved the most about being a Tri Girl is the friends I have made. Now I have planned races for the rest of the year and already have so many people willing to run with me or captain for tandem bike rides. Having that social network is so important and inspiring as well as motivating. There is so much to be said about being part of a team where your friends are with you to celebrate in your accomplishments and allow you to celebrate their accomplishments. My team allows me not just to run on a treadmill or ride on a stationary bike. I always have someone by my side and that means the world to me so that we can encourage each other. I am getting ready to have my first open water swim in a couple of weeks and am thrilled that a few adaptations such as tethers and the tandem bike allow me to be in the same sports as my friends. I am a rather private person and do not like to be singled out as a blind participant of an event have never wanted my being completely blind to make me stand out in any way. In my employment and personal life, I prefer to be accepted as a team member or participant and not as a disabled/blind person. I just love being Lupita, the Tri Girl that does triathlons with her team.

15th Anniversary Cycling Jersey

15th Anniversary Cycling Jersey Now Available!

To commemorate the Tucson Tri Girls 15th year as a club, we have released a special cycling jersey. The jersey is now available for purchase! We will have the jersey available through the end of the year. Click on the picture below to purchase!

TTG Member Spotlight - Robin Kremer

Why did I join TTG?

I have been a member of the Tucson Tri Girls since 2006 and joined originally because my girlfriend Anne Turner was just like any other Tucson Tri Girl and wanted to see the club grow with new members. I attend my first meeting and felt welcomed and supported by all the members. I walked out of that meeting with a bag of swag and a smile on my face. A year later, I did my first TRI with the Tucson Tri Series as a relay with my friend Anne and Leslie, and we had a blast! (man that brings back memories) Soon, TTG became my second family and wanted to do whatever I could to get involved. By year two, a board position opened and I started volunteering and giving back to the club and continued this pattern for the next 8 years in many positions including Treasurer, Sponsorship, Gear girl, and Prez at one point. At the same time, I decided to retire from my full time job and become a coach and started to offer my services in another fashion, as a coach with my new company, Excell Tri Coaching. I love the Tucson Tri Girls and have for years, I feel that the club has given me friends and sisters for life. I am not sure I can ever repay this group of wonderful women but I sure “tri”.

What has been my favorite events?

I have to say there are two: In Nov of 2012, (IMAZ) I did my first Ironman and that day proved the love and support of our club can get you through anything. All day long the Tucson Tri Girls were there cheering, pushing and supporting my race of a life time and it made the day go by so fast. The second race would be Penticton Worlds in 2017, I was having a rough day (ill) and trained so hard for this races and just did not have the gas to keep going and at one point I STOPPED and when I looked down there was a purple signs that said “Purple power!” It was like the entire club was there when I needed them the most. That is what got me back on my bike to finish the race.

What I have gained from the Club?

More than I can ever give back! They are my family and I have met and known so many Tucson Tri Girls over the years, I can honestly say, my life would be so boring without all the gals of Tucson Tri Girls. Thank you for the Friendships and love over the last 12 years.

What advise can I give to new members?

1. Ask questions to other members and get involved volunteering. This is the fastest way to become a part of the club. 2. Don’t go out and buy new stuff, I did my first Tri on a mountain bike. 3. GET out there and race. Everyone is a winner in the end. 4. Never stop having fun. When it stops being fun be done. 5. Never give up and stop unless it is medical or mechanical. Cross that finish line, everyone has bad days. 6. AWAYS cheer on the person you pass or passes you during a race, you never know when Karma will come back for you.

TTG Member Spotlight - Brenda Sparks

How did I get started in Triathlon?

When I was in Alaska, I had some co-workers who ran and such at lunch time. I had never been athletic but lived close to the Coastal Trail and was inspired to start running. One of the co-workers moved so I asked if I could start running with her but had no idea how to get started. She took me under her wing and ran with me in running/walking intervals and we would go at lunch in the winter so we could see the sunlight. I wanted her to run a 4 mile race so in exchange she said I had to do a triathlon with her. Um, I don’t have a bike and I can’t swim. So, she loaned me her mountain bike and proceeded to teach me how to swim. We worked out together all winter and in May we did a woman’s only tri. I was hooked. I just wanted to get faster and stronger.

Why do I Tri today?

I compete in triathlon today because it motivates me to exercise but I also have the desire to push myself and see how fast I can be. It is amazing to me what the human body can do especially when you put your mind behind something. I also enjoy encouraging new people in the sport and cheering them on to see their full potential.

Memorable races?

Memorable races… well, I would say there are at least 3. Ironman Boulder in 2015 was my first Ironman distance race and I did so much better than I ever anticipated I would. Boulder 70.3 in 2016 was my husband’s first ever 70.3 distance and he has a bad back so that meant under training. We raced together but he started 40 minutes before me. I worried about him the entire race and kept looking on the course for him. On the second loop of the run, I had caught up to him. I was struggling in the heat and I was so excited to see him. We crossed the finish line together and it was really an amazing moment for me. Finally, Ironman Chattanooga in 2017. I trained really hard for this race and wanted to finish in under 13 hours. The bike is 116 miles in this race so it was going to be a tall task. I had the race of my life and just about everything went according to plan and I finished in 12:39.

Training tips?

Practice makes perfect. Practice those things that you dislike and are your weaknesses because they will make you stronger. Training is mini race condition practices, use the gear and fuel you would on race day to make sure you have everything dialed in. Listen to your body – this is so important. If you need to skip a workout, it’s not the end of the world.

What does it mean to be TTG?

To me, being TTG means encouraging others to excel in whatever sport they are interested in. It also means supporting encouraging others to reach out into the uncomfortable. Everyone has different speeds and goals and they are all fabulous and they all need to be acknowledged. It also means sharing my experiences with other and learning from others experiences.

Goals for 2018?

My goals for 2018 are to compete at AG Olympic Distance National Championships and take in the experience. I also want to complete the 70.3 distance in under 6 hours.

TTG Member Spotlight - Jennifer Weiser

Why do I tri? Because over the last 5 years I have learned that I am capable of anything. So... Why NOT tri?

I did my first 1/2 marathon in 2012 when I was convinced by a friend that it was a good idea. I didn't run, but I started and I hated it. Every training run I grumbled. I kept waiting for that day when I would love running, but I just couldn't get there. On race day when I crossed that finish line, I was so beside myself that I was capable of taking on something that I never thought I could do, and finish it. I realized that it was the challenge of pushing myself that I loved. I no longer hated running. I didn't love it, but it was part of the challenge and accomplishment. In 2014 I took a chance and entered the drawing for the New York City Marathon. Go big or go home, right? I was drawn and I questioned myself if I was capable. I ran and ran and ran and on Nov 2nd completed my first (and only) full marathon.

What next? One day while hiking with a couple of friends I was told of a group called the Tucson Tri Girls. It was suggested to me to try a triathlon. I told them they were crazy. I can't ride a bike. Never rode one as a kid and I'm absolutely terrified to start now. The obvious solution? Sign up for a Tri. I joined the TTG and Friends Facebook page and was a lurker for a while. I eventually started asking some questions and was told to come to a beginning bike skills class with Coach Robin and Coach Fred. I didn't know a single person there. While everyone else was riding around with their clip in pedals weaving in and out of the cones while waving their hands all around over their heads, I was just trying to stay on top of my mountain bike instead of under it.

After the clinic, when I was loading up my bike to go home, someone came up to me and asked me to go to breakfast. It was Gloria Vasquez, Kay Wolferstetter and Kate Lemke. My first thought was to decline because they knew each other and I would just be sitting quietly by myself while they talked, right? I could not have been more wrong! These were the kindest ladies that made me feel so welcome! We talked about everything and they answered all my questions about my upcoming first triathlon and encouraged me to attend a TTG meeting. When I went to a meeting there was a WHOLE ROOM of these amazing women! One room full of a combination of runners, cyclists, swimmers and triathletes all different ages, all different experience levels, all willing to help a newbie. I knew I had found a new family. I bought a road bike and I think I rode it all of 3 times, terrified and only what I absolutely needed to get through this triathlon. I finished my first triathlon with my sister (also her first) and we were last in, but I didn't care about that. What I really cared about was that I rode a bike for 14 miles and I didn't crash and I didn't die. I had to stop 5 times to shake out my numb hands, catch my breath, get a drink, walk up that hill or just regain my composure, but I didn't die! But I didn't feel any more comfortable on bike either. I had many offers from many amazing Tri Girls to come ride with them and "We'll go slow", "We'll just ride on the bike path" and "We'll ride at your pace." I answered every offer with a smile and a "Great! Thanks! I'll let you know!" Knowing I would not go through with it. I was too embarrassed about my bike skills, control and speed to ride with anyone. I didn't want to slow anyone down. I figured I would just ride alone until I got a little better and then try riding with people. After a few months I realized riding alone wasn't working because I wouldn't go out and ride. I needed people. Carolyn Audilet suggested I come ride with her. Um...Ya. Knowing what kind of a cyclist she was and what kind of rider I was, this was NOT a match. So I found excuses why I couldn't ride with her. And then it happened. One day when I cancelled on Carolyn (Aug 2016) she had me meet her for coffee. She told me I was letting my fears get in my way and I needed to face them. She made me promise to meet her to ride. So I very hesitantly rode with her and she was AMAZING! She taught me so much I can't even list it all but the biggest and most important was that she helped me find my confidence. Once that happened I was able to venture out with other people as well. The more I rode and the more people I rode with, the more I learned and my confidence would build. I was starting to actually have fun and enjoy my bike instead of being scared of it.

I signed up for my first El Tour de Tucson and rode the 54 mile. Something I never thought I could do. One more challenge completed. In the last year I have completed my first ETT, successfully completed Saguaro East Loop without dying, completed the 51 mile Nogales Classic, climbed Mt Lemmon, descended Mt Lemmon, rode to the Whipple Observatory Visitors Center and learned to NOT ride my brakes on the downhill and much more. Still working on reaching down for my water bottle. My goal for this year is to complete the full 106 mile El Tour de Tucson, which will be my first century ride. Also something I never thought possible. When I started riding, all I wanted was to be able to ride 25 miles without feeling like I wanted to die. I think I have officially passed that accomplishment. None of this would have been possible without Tucson Tri Girls. Individually, so many strong and amazing women. Together, one powerhouse of a family. If I have one piece of advice for any newcomers to the club, it would be don't do it alone. You don't have to. You'll go so much farther with friends, its definitely more fun and so much help is offered here. Welcome to the club!