FIT & FAB
Judy Alcantara
There is an impressive and growing family of female triathletes in T&T. Fierce and resilient women are taking on the challenge of this demanding sport and proving that their sport is three times better than yours! Today, in this Breast Cancer Awareness month of October, we feature three local female triathletes who, aside from taking on remarkable athletic endeavours, have also been impacted by breast cancer.
Strong women are not simply born but are forged through the challenges of life. With each challenge they grow mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. Women who have been through the storm and survived...they are warriors. We applaud all women, teachers, care givers, mothers, grandmothers, the physically and mentally abused, the differently abled, those bringing up children with disabilities, single moms struggling to put bread on the table, balancing work and family, surviving with a smile.
"Strong women wear their pain like they wear their stilettos. No matter how much it hurts all you see is the beauty of it."
My gratitude goes out to two strong, amazing women—Dr Jackie Sabga and Cherise Stauble for today's article.
Here are their stories:
Cherise Stauble
If you hear cheering and the pop of a champagne bottle opening, it could just be me and mine celebrating. Because this year marks ten years since my breast cancer diagnosis! Ten years since I heard those terrifying words, faced that sometimes debilitating treatment, withstood the chemo-induced hair loss and sympathetic stares, and acknowledged the fear that becomes the constant wingman for this disease. Thanks to a vigilant doctor and prompt action, my tumor was relatively small and my disease at an early stage. It was still necessary for me to have two surgeries, along with four sessions of chemotherapy, a month of daily radiation, and several years of daily medication to control hormone production. But I have never considered myself a ‘victim’ of cancer, and the downsides were balanced out by an outpouring of love and support, with my incredible family and beautiful friends at my side.
Even while undergoing the last stages of radiation, I knew that my continued good health would require me to get physically fit. I started pilates and cardio classes with AnyBody Fitness and really began to relish my new role as a fit person. (There’s that time when I freaked out because I thought I found a lump in my arm. It was my newly developing bicep). During that time, my daughter was becoming more involved in triathlons, and I remember being in awe of her determination to train for this very demanding sport: early morning swimming, speed work, and long rides. It never occurred to me to get directly involved...I would simply cart her and her brothers around to their various sports and make sure they were supported in every way.
Then in 2014, with the boys off to university and our daughter in her last years of secondary school, the stars aligned...and I in turn aligned myself with a group of amazing women: the Bucket Listers. With encouragement from various sources, we got together to train for a half marathon. Having had little endurance sports experience (apart from cheering from the sidelines) this was quite an undertaking, but it fell right in line with my fitness and health goals and off I went to conquer that challenge. Since then, I have completed several half and three full marathons (including the cherished and prestigious Boston marathon). With running goals being regularly met, it was time to reach outside of my comfort level. This was easily taken care of when my best friend, Jackie, suggested that we do a 70.3-mile Ironman race. The notion was initially ridiculous to me. We weren’t triathletes...we didn’t even have bikes, for heavens sakes! But somewhere along the way, I had internalised the belief that life throws you challenges and it’s up to you to choose how to face them. Just as I did those many years ago when breast cancer invaded my space, I took this challenge by the hand and said let’s do something epic. And we did when we crossed the finish line in Augusta, Georgia, in September 2016 half an hour before we expected to. We had used our bodies as engines to traverse 1.2 miles of swimming, 56 miles of cycling, and 13.1 miles of running, and we're just bursting with pride in ourselves.
The three disciplines of triathlon, swimming, cycling, and running, are each very demanding in their own way, and I am great at NONE of them. But I am determined to step up to each challenge as it comes my way.
So I traded in chemo cocktails for protein drinks, radiation burns for an awkward tri suit tan, and daily medication for vitamins and supplements. Jackie and I are near the end of our training for a FULL 140.6 Ironman next month (bear with us family, friends, and coaches, we know this has been hard on you too). We have trained with our bodies, our hearts, and our souls. We have cried a lot, laughed a lot, celebrated little successes and anguished over many failures. Sometimes others are confused about why we do this...sometimes they come right out and ask. Sometimes that puzzled look on their faces requires no words. And maybe there are no words in return. We simply ask something of our bodies that we aren’t sure they can supply, then we go out there and demand that they do!
Jennifer Scott
How did you get interested in triathlons?
My son and daughter both competed in the Rainbow Warrior triathlons at different times. My niece Jenna Ross is also a triathlete and she and my son Justin had done a half Ironman in Seattle. Jenna also represented T&T at The Commonwealth games this year.
I was always there to support them and would quietly wish I could do one. I met a friend at a Christmas party last December and she told me she was training for the half Ironman in Cozumel on September 30. I immediately thought if she could do it so could I (not even realising that she was a seasoned triathlete...you could have mentioned that Luana).
It was perfect timing for me. I was going to be 60 on September 25, 2018. Why not give me a challenge for my big 60! Jenna had also done a half in Cozumel and said that it was a really nice course with a fabulous swim in the beautiful Cozumel ocean.
I ran the idea by Justin first and he was so excited. He said to me 'Mum, you SO can do it.' That was the extra push I needed and he helped me sign up.
What’s your sporting background?
I grew up in Pointe-a-Pierre. My father worked with Texaco at the time. We had an idyllic life with swimming, tennis, squash, badminton, football, rugby, golf, and hockey available to us. I started tennis and really enjoyed it. We had a tennis court right next to our home. I played tennis daily and even entered tournaments in South and Port-of-Spain.
After I had my first child I started aerobics. I never stopped exercising after that and exercise became a way of life for me. I also started jogging with friends. Then I joined the Fitness Centre and never looked back.
I also became an ACE certified instructor to teach aerobics. I can safely say that I’ve exercised for the last 40 years of my life. ( Jeez, I’m old!).
How has cancer, and in particular breast cancer, touched your life?
Cancer. Oh boy. The dreaded cancer is in our family. My eldest sister had bladder cancer and had her bladder removed. My eldest brother had throat cancer and my youngest sister at 50 was diagnosed with breast cancer. This news devastated me! She had a double mastectomy as well as chemotherapy and radiation. Just thinking about what each of them has gone through is so frightening to me. The thing is there’s nothing you can do or say to make it just go away!!! Thankfully they are all cancer survivors.
Recently my niece's husband was diagnosed with a very difficult bone cancer and had an amputation from just below his knee. I kept thinking to myself, you have two legs and two feet. Make good use of them!!!
What advice would you give to women who are thinking of getting involved in triathlon?
The first thing I would say is if you want to do something it can be done. Trust me. If I can, anyone can. You just have to want it.
The second thing is you have to put in the work. I strongly suggest a coach and follow the workouts set for you. You will need courage, determination, discipline, and some bad mind to get you through this. The feeling after crossing that line is quite incredible and makes up for all the hours of training, pain, and pressure and all the weekend parties missed.
How can others get themselves motivated and persist?
You will need to surround yourself with people training for the same goal. You will also need the support of your partner and family as lots are given up. Your life becomes literally training, eating, and resting. I had 100 per cent support from my husband and family.
My motivation was getting that medal at the end of the race and also achieving something that I initially thought was totally out of my reach. Had some negatives comments along the way and this drove me even further to prove to myself that I could to it.
I set small goals for myself. I was already a pretty ok cyclist but couldn’t even swim 25 meters of the pool. This was the most daunting for me. Edward Tuberoso had the difficult job of teaching me proper swim skills. I just kept positive and week by week and month by month I swam a little further. I remember the first time I swam 1,000 meters I was on cloud nine for the day! Now I just needed to swim another 1,000 and I would be there!
The running was also a challenge as I used to run in my thirties and forties but had given it all up for the bike. Had to learn the proper running technique. I also started this very slowly with a ten-minute run at a time. All of my run and riding training I did with the amazing Derrick Simon who kept me positive and kept me believing in myself.
I had a few mottos. Mine was 'slow and steady wins the race'. The motto from my coach was 'find comfort in your discomfort' and the motto from my training buddies was 'Pain is temporary. Pride is forever'. This one really stuck in my head and it became my mantra.
Thanks to all my training buddies. Rebecca Thompson. Cherise Stauble, Dr Jackie Sabga, Abeo Asieduwaa Jones. Jeanne Alexander and Kelly Alves. I crossed that finish line after seven hours and 43 minutes. I am an Ironman! Still brings tears to my eyes.
Riana Harrinauth
When we think of local heroes, household names come to mind: the music icons, the artists, and the world-stage athletes. But there are local heroes walking quietly among us, who face life-changing challenges yet rise up every time. This is the story of one of those heroes.
Riana faced the unimaginable loss of her mother before she had even reached her 50th birthday. Diagnosed with breast cancer at the tender age of 45, Riana’s mom battled the disease successfully for three years. But an aggressive recurrence was resistant to treatment and Riana’s mother died two years later. Then in 2017 Riana herself found a small lump in her own breast. With the knowledge of her mother’s fate still a constant source of pain for her she was now herself a breast cancer patient. She underwent a lumpectomy and it was decided that no further treatment would be necessary. However, in December of last year, there was a recurrence of Stage 1 cancer and Riana has since undergone further surgery, 5 months of chemotherapy and 5 weeks of radiation. Each method of treatment was demanding and difficult but Riana has soldiered on in every aspect of life, never allowing her diagnosis or her treatment to change her path.
One of the biggest parts of Riana’s life is her involvement in triathlon, both as a coach and as an athlete. And in spite of her health challenges, Riana has never wavered in her passion for the sport. Since 2014, primarily as a member of XO Multisport Club, she has competed in numerous triathlon, duathlon, and running events, and has stood multiple times on the podium having outclassed others in her category. In 2017, just mere weeks after discovering her breast tumor, Riana completed the Ironman Florida 70.3 race in an impressive time of six hours and 37 minutes. By any standards, this is a remarkable feat. But it is even more admirable knowing that Riana faced an impending uphill battle with a dangerous disease.
Not satisfied with merely participating in the sport, Riana took on more official roles to help promote triathlon in T&T. In 2016 she was elected vice president of the T&T Triathlon Federation, and still holds that post to date. In 2017, Riana completes the Level 1 American Triathlon Confederation coaching course and is not only a coach for XO Multisport but was recently selected as a coach for the National Junior Triathlon team as they competed in the Carifta 2018 Championships.
Riana has many goals as a multi-sport athlete, and she has no intention of letting her breast cancer diagnosis or treatment dissuade her from pursuing them. Her big dream is to participate in a full-distance Ironman, swimming 2.4 miles, riding 112 miles, and running 26.2 miles. Her journey to that event will see her through an Olympic distance race, a full marathon, the National Duathlon race, and the Ironman Shanghai 70.3 race in 2019.
So she will don her invisible cape and tackle each challenge with strength and courage, nerves of steel and that never-fading smile.