Triathletes Raise Funds

Triathletes race in 8 competitions and raise funds for B4H

Cindy Healy and Derek Ouellet, from Kingston Ontario, are raising funds to help send the next container of bikes to Africa. They are competing in the following 8 races this summer:

There are 3 ways to pledge: by the minute, by race, or for the season. To support Cindy & Derek's initiative please email: chealy7@cogeco.ca

Cindy Healy is hitting the pavement for Bicycles for Humanity...and the bicycle...and the water.

She is competing in a total of eight triathlons this season, all to raise money for B4H.

"I feel very privileged to be able to race and ride a bike like this. Some people don't have the opportunity to experience that. I thought it would be nice for people like us who are so privileged to give back in some way," said Healy.

A triathlon is a race that is known for high endurance, lasting from one to eight hours. It involves three different elements; running, swimming and bicycling over various distances. Each element happens immediately after the previous one. The time required for changing clothes is factored into the race as well.

It is not easy.

Healy has been racing with her husband Derek Ouellet for about five years, but has been active for her entire life. The racing started as an effort for her to get healthy, and it mushroomed from there.

"Generally, we train for it all year round, training throughout the winter as well. Ballpark, we do about 3 to 4 swims a week, bike 3 times a week, run 3 times a week," said Healy.

By the end of the season, the goal is to raise $1000 dollars for Bicycles for Humanity. The triathlon season lasts from May until September, with a few warm-up races before hand.

Healy has run one race so far this season, and has raised about $100 dollars. However, the season will not officially start until May 24. It is then that she hopes to bring in the big bucks.

"We've got a couple of different ways people can sponsor us. We've got it so individuals can contribute a lump sum if they want to, or they can contribute per race. I've also got mine set up so people can bet on whether I'll beat my race time from last year. I have one individual who will pay me 25 dollars for every time I beat my record," said Healy.

So far that gentleman owes her money.

Healy first found out about Bicycles for Humanity when she was reading an article in the Globe and Mail. "The cause really struck me. I wanted to help in some way," said Healy.

As for the future, Cindy will be active her entire life, but whether that involves racing, she does not know.
The training and the events themselves are very difficult, both physically and emotionally.

"And it's just the drive inside yourself to keep going. You put all this time and effort into it to keep going, there are times you get down and you feel like you're never going to be able to finish. I trained for the Iron man two years ago, and yeah it's a whole day of long events, its silly to think that you're not going to experience negative feelings at one point during the day, but you work through it and you come through it. Then you think wow, yeah, I can do that.," said Healy.

For the next few years at least, Healy and Ouellet will be running, swimming and cycling. They'll be doing quite a bit of it for Bicycles for Humanity as well.

"I'm hoping this one will be successful and if it is, why not continue. I'm hoping it will be more of a long term thing rather than just a single event " said Healy.

written by Amanda Portelli

Updates

June 2008 update:

"Well friends...  It is 3 for 3. Derek and I have successfully finished our third race of the season and our first triathlon. This was a short race - a 500m swim in the local pool (way too cold for open water-lake temp is currently 39 degrees) a 20km bike ride that culminated with a ride up a steep hill and a 5km run. Derek and I decided since our focus for the season is long distance that we would not taper or rest prior to this race. We would train up to the day and hope for the best. We were coming off a 4 week heavy training schedule so we were a bit apprehensive. We are pleased to say however that we both had a great time and I squeaked out a personal best by 47 seconds. It was a fabulous day with great friends and great weather. Our next race is another short race and then it is into the big races of the season.  Our first long distance race is less than a month away. Derek and I will be testing our fitness at the Peterborough Half Iron Triathlon in early July. We've been out for the past month doing long bikes combined with long runs - we are currently up to 90km on the bike and a 21km run. Yesterday was our first long workout in the warm weather. How easily we forget from one year to the next the impact of the sun...yes we forgot the sunscreen. Needless to say 5 plus hours in the sunshine has given both of us a lovely glow.  Hopefully with the warm weather now here, we'll be able to get into the lake soon. We need the practice. Stay tuned for more updates.