Saturday's Spotlight, a few days early

This week the Saturday Spotlight arrives early, yet shines brightly upon EnduraMom and Ironman World Champion Karen Smyers! In case you haven't heard, Karen, a participant in triathlons since 1984, is a 7x USA Triathlon Elite National Champion, a gold medalist, Hawaiian Ironman World Champion, ITU World Champion, as well as, a survivor of thyroid cancer and major injuries sustained while training. Karen is also the proud mother of two. Even with her multitude of accomplishments and Princeton grad status, Karen made a statement that reminds us all how she remains down to earth and quite humble. During an interview with Slowtwitch while at the induction into the USAT Hall of Fame in 2009, Karen stated "I never thought I'd be able to experience the thrill of competition without competing myself until I saw my daughter doing her first triathlon. Or doing her first big soccer match and realize, 'My God! My heart is now beating outside my body!'. I'm going to be a pretty poor soccer mom I am afraid." It's little everyday comments like that which often set triathletes apart from other world class athletes.

This weekend Karen is racing in the Hawaiian Ironman World Championship event as a Janus Charity Challenge athlete in honor of "those who are in a race for their lives". According to the Janus Charity Challenge website, Karen is racing on behalf of the Matthew Larson Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation - IronMatt - and in honor of her friend and teammate's son, Robert Duffy Jr. Karen hopes to "raise funds and awareness of the #1 childhood cancer killer, pediatric brain tumors." Karen goes on to state, "In 1995 I won this race . How great would it be, 15 years later, to once again be on top of the podium as the Janus Charity Challenge Champion? It would be incredible! Join me and we can all be winners in Hawaii. Thank you for your support, Karen."
If you'd like to help Karen hit her fund raising goal of $100,000, check out her Janus Charity Challenge page here: http://tiny.cc/jqkvd

All the Best,

Dana