12-year-old girl to participate in fund-raising triathlon
June 2003
DANIELLE Glaeser isn't a typical 12-year-old. While most kids prefer to relax in front of the tube or spend hours on their computers, Danielle prefers exercise. Lots of it.
She enjoys physical activity so much that she talked her mom and dad into letting her take part in a triathlon this summer to raise money for breast cancer research.
"I saw my mom do a triathlon (last) year," Danielle explained of her motivation. "I wanted to use my physical ability to help good causes. That's how I got started on the triathlon."
Danielle and her mom, Yolanda, will take part Sunday in the Danskin Women's Triathlon in Sacramento. The sprint-style marathon includes a half-mile swim, 9-mile bike ride and 3.1-mile run.
Yolanda, a personal trainer at ClubSport Pleasanton, had to learn how to swim last year when she signed up for the Danskin event.
"My kids saw me learn how to swim," Yolanda said of Danielle and her younger sister, Andi. "When Danielle saw everything I went through, she said, 'Mom, can I do this?'"
Yolanda, confident in her daughter's athletic skills, gave the go-ahead for Danielle to train for the 2003 triathlon. But the youngest entrant allowed in the Danskin event is age 14.
Yolanda contacted race officials and told them of her daughter's athletic prowess. She assured them that she would oversee a safe training program for her daughter.
"She's proficient in all three events," the proud mom said. "It's just a matter of gelling it together in one event in one day."
Danielle, who will be in eighth grade at Hart Middle School, has been active on the school's track team for two years. She's a longtime member of the youth swim team at ClubSport and recently joined a cycling class for teens.
"I enjoy doing physical activities," Danielle said. "A lot of my friends just spend time on the computer. If you're active, you'll be healthier. If you're on sports teams, you make more friends."
Danielle took part in a scaled-down triathlon last August at Shadow Cliffs Regional Park in Pleasanton. She rode the 63-mile Cinderella Classic in March, followed by a 25-mile route in April on the Top Hat Classic, which benefits the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.
Danielle chose the Top Hat Classic ride because she lost an uncle to MS when she was only 5 years old. She opted for the Danskin event because it benefits the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation.
The young athlete wants to use her athletic skills to promote awareness and raise funds for various causes. Danielle will complete the triathlon in memory of a neighbor's sister who died of breast cancer.
"It's very inspiring that somebody else cares that much," said neighbor Tracy Wiley. Her sister, Tammy Lang, died of breast cancer in 1999 at the age of 38.
"Every year, I try to run a race for breast cancer," Wiley said. "It's very hard for me because it's so emotional. To have other people do something in Tammy's name is very touching. Danielle's an amazing kid."
Heather Halliday, Danielle's track coach at Hart, said the young athlete's skills have improved by leaps and bounds compared with last school year.
"Her athletic ability is just amazing," Halliday said. "I wish I were doing (a triathlon) when I was her age. It sets you on track to reach goals. You have to have motivation and fitness."
Danielle admitted she was initially nervous about tackling a triathlon, but she's learning to relax and enjoy the experience.
"I'm excited, but there's no pressure (to finish with a quick time) since
it's to help a cause," she said. "I feel good about that."
The straight-A student and voracious reader is thrilled that her athletic
experiences have encouraged friends to get active and help their favorite
charities.
Some neighbors, partially inspired by Danielle, took part in a bike ride to
raise money for the American Diabetes Association. Other friends have joined
the swim team, while one friend signed up for the cycling class.
"It just takes a little bit, then you can start building up to bigger
things," Danielle said. "But you have to get started."
"That's the neatest thing that's come out of this," mom Yolanda said. "It's encouraging other kids who are active to do something that helps other people. We want to inspire kids to be as physical as they can within their schedules. We want kids to get out there and do a lot of good."
Donations to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation may be sent to the
Glaeser family at 3336 Medallion Court, Pleasanton 94588. For more
information on the Danskin Women's Triathlon Series, visit
www.danskin.com/triathlon
Got a good column idea? Or maybe you're just curious about something around town. Send your ideas or questions to Zoe Francis at zoe@zoefrancis.com or call (925) 461-1170. Letters may be sent to 4770 Willow Road, Pleasanton 94588.