In athletics, triumph can be defined in many ways.
For the Roaring Fork Women’s Triathlon Team (RFWTT) it is defined in every moment, big or small — from learning to swim in open water to standing atop a podium. Now, with just a few weeks left in their season, RFWTT is ready to celebrate their hard work at key races, including amateur and world competitions, together.
“Triathlon is an individual sport, except when it comes to this team,” Co-head Coach Carla Westerman said. “Everyone feels that they are part of something that is absolutely bigger than themselves.”
Since 1999, RFWTT has been teaching the sport’s foundational skills of cycling, swimming and running or walking to help Western Slope women complete their first triathlon. Founders Judy Haynes and Nancy Reinisch focused on fun and collaboration to create a supportive community.
“We support women, in all walks of life and all abilities no matter if they are beginners or progressing to be an elite athlete,” Co-head Coach Sharma Phillips said. “We give them a community, resources and guidance.”
While developed to be a beginner program, RFWTT is proud to cheer on three assistant coaches as they prepare for the world stage.
Up first, Sydney Pena will race at the Ironman 70.3 World Championship held on Sept. 12-13 in Nice, France. A former NCAA swimmer and Colorado Mesa University coach, Pena is the team’s swim coach and loves learning alongside her athletes.
“The amount of information Carla and Sharma gives our athletes is absolutely amazing,” Pena said. “I have grown so much within my triathlon racing. Learning to race after having kids is so completely different.”
Next, Sherrie Setterberg will represent Team USA at the World Triathlon Championship Finals in Pontevedra, Spain from Sept. 23-27. A former synchronized swimmer, Setterberg will tackle hilly cobblestone roads to race against the best in her age group. For her, this is a dream come true.
“I was with my daughter at a triathlon and I saw these people from Team USA with their names on their butts,” she said. “I thought, ‘I want that. Someday in my life I’m gonna have a kit with my name on my butt and chest.’ I went to nationals last year and they only take 18 to the worlds and guess what place I got — 18th!”
Relatively new to the sport, Jamie Boutilier will compete in her second world championship at the World Triathlon Multisport Championships held from July 16-25 in Edmonton, Canada. Boutilier joined RFWTT in 2019 not knowing how to swim or cycle beyond the basics. But after a few races she was hooked and now represents Team USA while also being a role model for the next generation of athletes.
“I recently volunteered at my son’s preschool and did a little triathlon for them,” Boutilier said. “That’s what this is about for me.”
Phillips said that with a single word or action, the assistant coaches inspire their athletes daily.
“It transforms us every year to be better coaches and to do better because they are such shining examples,” Phillips said. “The well is endless for the love of the coaches and the inspiration that they bring.”
All the while, the coaches are championing their athletes (fondly referred to as Tri-Babes) as they prepare for RFWTT’s annual capstone race: the Coeur Outdoor Divas Sprint Triathlon. Happening on Aug. 16 in Longmont, athletes will compete on a closed, beginner-friendly course that features a half-mile swim, 12.4-mile bike ride and 3.1-mile run.
“The atmosphere seems lighter and happier,” Pena said. “Everyone is trying to have fun and supporting one another.”
The race is capped at 600 athletes and RFWTT accounts for about 10% of the field.
“When you go to an event and you’re part of a team it’s just so powerful,” Setterberg said. “It’s a pretty great experience that the entire time you are constantly seeing and cheering for someone you know.”
Beyond the finish
Spanning 13 weeks from May to mid-August, RFWTT meets in Glenwood Springs for workouts, lectures and clinics. Phillips, a certified Ironman Triathlon coach, said RFWTT is a training team, which is different from an exercise program. Athletes learn and implement practices that allow them to safely progress, avoid injury and show up in the best shape both mentally and physically.
“We’re introducing them to new things that might sound too hardcore, but we teach them that anyone can come here and do these things,” Westerman, a USA Triathlon level 1 coach, said.
Setterberg said the training is a self-discovery process where athletes realize the tools and skills they already have in their package.
“We all have these self doubts that come in,” she said. “But you start to learn and realize you’re accepted. And then maybe you start to think maybe I can do that.”
For Boutilier, the team’s lessons can be applied to life beyond the finish line.
“One of the things that Carla, Sharma and the other coaches have taught me is where I am, where am I going and what do I need,” Boutilier said. “I do that all the time at work, like maybe I need to lead a workshop and I’m nervous, but then I apply those principles.”
While the goals may vary, RFWTT has woven together a community rich in support, hard work and plenty of triumph — you just have to show up.
“Trust the process,” Westerman said. “If you keep showing up we’ll get you across the finish line.”
Visit roaringforktriteam.com to keep up with the Roaring Fork Women’s Triathlon Team or learn more about membership for next season.