Girls Just Wanna Have Fun!

By Amity Hall

Who is inspired beyond belief by these wonderful women

As popular television programs, newspapers, magazines and other publications are constantly proclaiming, today’s woman is committed to individual excellence in health and fitness.  Exercise programs targeted specifically toward women are one of the fastest growing physical fitness trends in the country. For instance, how many new  “all women” fitness clubs have you seen sprouting up on just about every corner in your neighborhood?  How many exercise videos featuring toned and taut women have you seen advertised or offered at your local video store?  Exercise equipment and group classes designed for women are extremely popular. However, exercise these days does not necessarily favor the 20 somethings in search of that perfect sleek body.  Instead, today, exercise is part of a path toward not only health and physical fitness, but self-empowerment, and it is the older female population (40s, 50s, 60s and beyond) who are leading the charge of empowerment through sport.

 No other group is more emblematic of this charge than seven wonderful women hailing from Rochester New York. Meet the TRIATH-A-LADIES.  This aged 60 plus group of athletes, who in their youths felt discouraged from participating in any type of sport, decided in their sprightly sixties to become Triathletes.  Triathlon is an event that includes swimming, biking and running in consecutive order - not exactly a leisure or even recreational activity.  These self-appointed Triathaladies developed a unique bond of friendship through the training process, and through their individual perseverance and the support and camaraderie offered by the group, accomplished their goal of competing in and completing a Triathlon.  These women all swam ¼ mile, biked 12 miles and ran 3.1 miles, to finish what is referred to as a sprint triathlon.  Although it is common knowledge nowadays that any exercise is beneficial for health and well being, this older generation of women seem to be looking for something more.  These women have turned to fitness and competitive sport as a journey toward self fulfillment and self actualization.

Triathalady Donna Hofsess, age 63, says, “My self image has been deeply affected by this journey I am taking. My inner sense of me is different. Having completed the first triathlon, I began to experience a different view of other experiences. I now feel that I can try anything and that I don’t have to be great at it. I like me for trying, and I am loving the new range of experiences I have given myself.”  Each of the Triathaladies, like Donna, has carried her new sense of empowerment into all other aspects of her life.  When the Triathaladies were in high school and college, sports was certainly not something that was an option. One physical educator in the 1950’s  was quoted as saying, “The development of aggressive characteristics added nothing to charm and usefulness, and were not in harmony with the best traditions of the sex.”  Triathalady Judy Halley, age 64, remembers, “ As a teenager, it was not “cool” to be in sports. I didn’t participate in organized sports, I went to games and clapped for the boys though!  I’m happy all that has changed for girls nowadays.” Donna Hofsess adds, “Growing up, I never even considered participating in sports or being physically active.”  Many of the women noted that their families were quite surprised at their new athletic pursuits. Trathalady Donna Torpey, age 65, says her family’s reaction was “ . . .one of amusement or confusion…like I was trying to become muscle bound or superwoman!  But my reasons were because I have found, when a person stays active or participates in sporting events they feel transformed and have a more positive outlook on life and a better self image.”  Well, Donna and the other Triathaladies may not think of themselves as superwomen, but most of the rest of us would tend to disagree!

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