HARLINGEN — Why do the Ironman?
Why climb Mt. Everest?
Because it’s a challenge.
That’s why an increasing number of local women are taking on the Ironman triathlon.
At the Tri Girl Sprint Triathlon in Harlingen last month, numerous women referred to their participation in the Ironman triathlon, a grueling event which consists of a 2.4-mile swim, a 112-mile bike ride and 26.2-mile run.
“I think there’s an increase in participation in triathlons in general with women and men,” said Karen Watt, 53, an Indianapolis native who has lived in the Valley since 1985.
She completed her first Ironman in 2009, one of the first to do so.
“There are now more women participating in multisports than in the last few decades,” said Watt, a professor of educational leadership and doctoral leadership at the University of Texas – Rio Grande Valley.
The first Ironman triathlon was held in Hawaii in 1978. Ironman and Half Ironman triathlons are organized throughout the world by the World Triathlon Corporation.
Watt was in her first Ironman in 2009. She’d been performing in triathlons since long before that, as early as 1984.
“I have always enjoyed participating in triathlons,” Watt said. “I enjoy the swimming, bike riding, the running. But I got into a rut. I had just done my fifth half Ironman. I decided to do a full Ironman.”
The stage had been set. Over the next few years, as the fitness craze slowly took root, more Valley women caught the Ironman bug.
“I think it’s self satisfaction,” Watt said. I have always been one to take on a challenge and push myself.”
The Ironman is more than just completing a race, said Sandy Overly, who co-owns Multisport Mania with her husband. She’s also the coach.
“It’s really about the journey,” Overly said. “The race is the icing on the cake.”
She has witnessed women evolving while on this journey on which women learn more about who they are and discover things about themselves.
“They make sacrifices,” she said. “They are holding down jobs, raising children, often more than one, getting kids to athletic events, going to the grocery story. It really is an amazing thing.”
If a woman athlete has the responsibilities of a family, the family must pitch in and support her any way they can.
“She can’t do it all by herself,” Overly said. “When a woman gets that support, it pulls the family together.”
The day of the Ironman, husbands, sons, daughters, aunts, uncles, brothers and sisters and anyone else are there cheering on the athlete.
“It really is amazing,” she said.
Team Healey Multisports has teams throughout the United States – California, North Carolina – and the Rio Grande Valley.
“I coach 30 athletes in the Valley,” said Lacy Healey, a Harlingen native who recently moved with her husband to San Antonio.
Many of her athletes are training for the Ironman.
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