Try and tri-again
Na Wahine triathletes intense, supportive at the same time

Part 2 of a weekly series

By Vicki Viotti
Advertiser Staff Writer

To discover the spirit of the Na Wahine Sprint Triathlon, we need go no further than the story of Heather Jorris and Diane Lamosao.

Jorris, an accomplished athlete, finished last year's event first and, as luck would have it, won a racing bike in a drawing. Lamosao, a first-timer who was prodded into the race at the urging of her younger brother, was last to cross the line. But, as if to underscore the elation Lamosao already felt at finishing the fitness challenge of her lifetime, Jorris turned and bestowed her bike on the novice.

Lamosao, 23, was touched and thrilled. "I was on a high for a while," she said. "I didn't feel my legs hurting until a couple hours later, when it all just kicked in."

Surely it was a mighty kick. Lamosao had to swim 500 meters, strap on some shoes and bike for 12 miles, and finally find her running legs for the final 5K jog. But the experience was so confidence-boosting that she's continuing her training in order to enter this year's Tinman July 15, a race of about twice the distance, and to re-enter Na Wahine Sept. 9 (check www.tryfitnesshawaii.com for signup information).

It's the combination of skills that frightens a lot of triathlon sideliners, but the organizers of Na Wahine, a company called Try Fitness, has scaled the race down to seem at least less daunting to beginners. And for women athletes who've ventured well beyond merely "trying fitness," its women-only character gives them a chance to shine as never before, said KC Carlburg, Try Fitness founder.

"There's some great energy that happens when women are together," Carlburg said. "It's a chance for a woman to be the first to cross the finish line — not the first woman, but be the first. It gives everybody a new experience."

My friends who've done this race before assure me that, although the competitors are serious about winning, there's something about Na Wahine that's embracing; that's comforting news to someone who may need to be held up. In Lamosao's case, her younger brother joined in at the end to cross the line with her, salvaging the reputation of kid brothers everywhere.