Deborah Erickson, 43, Durham, NC

Program Manager 

 

Sixteen months ago I was in a car crash and faced a difficult recovery. The recovery was slow and I had doubts that even moderate exercise would ever be achievable. Not once in my life had I ever even considered doing a triathlon. Then that fateful day came . . . I was at my physician’s office and she told me she had just signed up for the Ramblin’ Rose with her daughter. This event was created to empower and celebrate a women’s strength, not only physically but mentally and socially as well. I was so excited! Could this be the turning point for me? Would it help me gain my confidence back? As it turned out, this event was exactly what I needed!

My most memorable moment was seeing my husband and children cheering me on at the finish line. 

 

One of the gifts Ramblin’ Rose gave me is being fit enough to play with my children.

From left to right: Christopher, 5, Deborah, Grace Anne, 8, Matthew, 7, and husband Jonathan. (Photo by Jessi Blakely)