Three generations

Published in Australian Triathlete
Article by Jen Lowery (formerly Moss)

My first triathlon experience was like no one else’s. I ‘high-fived’ my uncle on the run as we went in opposite directions, hugged my mom as she headed to the infamous run turnaround point, and yelled words of encouragement to my grandpa as he shuffled past mile eight in the marathon and I struggled through mile eighteen.

When I crossed the Ironman Canada finish line, my uncle placed the invaluable finishers’ medal around my neck while wearing his. An hour later, I hung the same medal around my mom’s neck and not long after that, the three of us joined my grandpa as he finished his eleventh Ironman race. Arms raised, faces smiling, we ran into the triathlon history books as three generations having completed the same Ironman.

It’s only three days later and the current pain in my legs can be blamed on one person – my mother, Cheryl Lowery. She started the family triathlon addiction about 16 years ago when she did her first Olympic distance race. In 2003, she turned 40 and completed her first Ironman.

  My grandpa, Paul Poffenroth (or Poppa to me), was next. At 55, he learned to swim (which was quite a feat after getting in the pool with a flutter board and going backwards), completed his first triathlon and hasn’t looked back since. He finished his first Ironman in 1996, swore he would never do another one, and at 66, Hawaii 2004 will be his twelfth Ironman.

My uncle, Paul Poffenroth, was dragged in next. Ironman Canada was his third Ironman and at 35, he has many years of racing ahead of him.

I think I was doomed to join this insane sport from the very beginning. Having been a competitive swimmer for eight years, it seemed like a natural progression to buy a bike, tie on some running shoes and sign up for a triathlon. At 20, this is my third season racing.

I love triathlon and I love having a family who not only competes in, but also supports the sport. In addition to my mom and grandpa, my dad, uncle, aunt and step-grandmother have all completed triathlons.

The smarter ones in the family are our much-needed and appreciated support crew, cheering squad and tireless volunteers.

Having said that, being part of a triathlete family has its idiosyncrasies. Conversation at family dinners tends to steer in the direction of what training everyone did that day, what training they are going to do tomorrow, how many gu’s they ate during their last race, how to prevent stomach cramps when running and an assortment of other triathlon topics.

Holidays involve daily runs or swims. When we were in Mexico for Christmas, we took bets on how long it would take my grandpa to try out the old windtrainer bike outside his apartment. It only took three days before we looked up from the pool and he was pedalling away.

As far as we know, we’re the first three-generation family to complete the same Ironman race. The entire experience of training for Ironman, being in Penticton, B.C. the week before, crossing the finish line, and getting the hard earned tattoo afterwards is something I wouldn’t trade for anything.

But being in the spotlight has been challenging. I never counted on the media hype that would be associated with the three generation story. Doing my first Ironman was stressful. I had expectations of myself and wanted to do well. When you are featured in the local sports magazine, three newspapers, local television and on international coverage, it takes pressure to a whole new level.

It will never cease to amaze me how tight the triathlon community is. It’s one of the things I love about the sport. I had a woman pass me on the bike, turn around, and ask me if I was the one from the newspaper. But even though the added pressure was there, I have to admit it was neat to be recognised by triathletes we had never met.

The actual day of Ironman was kinder to some of us than others. Mom struggled and crossing the finish line became a bigger challenge that the goal of qualifying for Hawaii like she did last year. Matt was lined up for a Hawaii spot until he experienced stomach cramps on the run and spent more time walking than originally planned. Canada was Poppa’s third Ironman since May and having already qualified for Hawaii, his focus was enjoying the family experience.

I got lucky and was able to qualify for Hawaii 2004. I’m going to have to make friends with my bike sooner than I had planned, but racing with my grandfather at world championships is an opportunity that is impossible to give up.

As I sat watching the video at the awards dinner the next day, I thought about the pain, the people, the struggle and the satisfaction of the day before. And then I watched the four of us, hands in the air, running towards the finish line.

This Ironman will be the first of many, but the first time only happens once. The first time was truly the best moment of my life.

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