Maplewood Women "Tri" and Succeed

The Danskin Triathlon Series has been inspiring female athletes, both novice and expert, for over 20 years. This year, several Maplewood women joined the throngs of female athletes September 12 in Sandy Hook, NJ.

And did they show up. Consisting of a half-mile swim in the bay, a 12-mile bike ride and a 3.1-mile run, the triathlon draws women from all over to compete in the early-morning competition and feel empowered by communal support and personal achievement.

Eileen Collins Neri is glad it's over. A mom of three, she trained moderately yet consistently every week for the past few months. Two years ago, Neri participated as a "relay competitor" where she and two other Maplewood women each took a segment of the race. She biked for that race, as she could neither run nor swim competitively.

But this time Neri was on her own and completed very comfortably. She is very proud of her personal achievement of doing it all solo. "The environment was so supportive. There were women on surfboards and floatation devices shouting words of support, such as 'Who's the best swimmer!' They were being so helpful and supportive." Each wave, or group of women to go out at a specific time, was given an encouraging name.  Neri's wave was nicknamed Stupendous.

Jessa Barnes had a better experience this time than in her previous triathlon last year. "I had a panic attack in the water last time. This year, it was so different. I did a complete 180. I kept telling myself, while swimming in the bay, 'You can do it!'" Barnes completed the swim in 16 minutes versus the 29 minutes it took her last year. Training also played a huge part in her successful completion as Barnes got in shape for this year's triathlon.

"Three months ago I could only do 4 pool lengths," said Barnes. "Now, today I did 33." Barnes credited her local friends with inspiring and helping her with training and joining the competition. "If I didn't live in Maplewood, I know I wouldn't have done it."  Barnes' wave was nicknamed Tenacious.

Sheryl Eccles scored her personal best in this, her fourth triathlon. Joyous that it was over, Eccles, a mom of three, remarkably came in second in her age group by less than one second. 

"The camaraderie, the familiar faces each year, and friends together," is how Eccles described her favorite aspects of the race. "Even while racking bikes at the transition, everyone is just so friendly. It truly is women empowering each other."

Eccles finished at 1:06:58. Her wave's nickname was Strong.  

"Hey, we were like the 15th wave; they probably ran out of cool words," said Eccles.

The three ladies celebrated their accomplishments by enjoying a nice brunch in Red Bank.

Women who have been a top 10 finisher and/or a top three finisher in their respective age group category in a previous race of 300 or more women qualify for this triathlon with an Elite status. Maplewood's own Michele Smith qualified in this category, and finished very admirably in 4th place overall. Smith felt the scenery had an effect: "I arrived at the transition area around 5:30 am.  The sun was rising so beautifully; to swim right under it, and then biking on the road along the water; it was just so beautiful. The course was just beautiful." 

This mom of two also found the race full of support and camaraderie. "The Elite advantage is that I compete with women that will push us all hard, and the course is clear as we go out first. The bike course is totally open." Smith employed strength and conditioning training all year, and stressed that her training consisted of short and intense workouts. Smith finished with a personal best of 1:00:54. 

There were numerous women from Maplewood who participated in the triathlon.  Susan Cohen, another finisher, spoke for many others when she said: "This is my third Danskin Triathlon, and each time I meet more fantastic women from right here in Maplewood and South Orange. I've made a lot of new friends through these events and all of the advance training."