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“The women of Ramblin’ Rose and Tri It For Life are the most amazing group of people you will ever meet. The race is filled with so much energy and support you will want to run/walk/crawl across that finish line and scream ‘I am a triathlete!’”

My most memorable moment was my first race, Ramblin’ Rose Charlotte, in Huntersville in 2011. My family was there to cheer me on (my mom, dad, aunt, uncle, husband and two children, who at the time were 8 and 5). I stood there waiting to enter the building for the swim and my two children came to me and said, “You can do it, Mommy!” and I told them, “I will see you at the finish line.” My family and the crowd of people who didn’t know me pushed me through the whole race and watched as I became a triathlete. I cannot describe in words how it felt to cross the finish line, but I can say it was a feeling that made me want to keep racing.

“Ramblin’ Rose inspired me to live a healthier lifestyle by changing my diet and pushing myself to experience different types of activities. Our family now looks for healthier options when choosing what to eat and I was able to encourage my 7-year-old daughter to do two kids’ triathlons this year.”