By: Cara Latham
The first time Monica Togna participated in the Danskin Women’s Triathlon Series, she was a bit nervous about getting through the half-mile swim.
But before she started, Sally Edwards national spokeswoman for the Danskin series of women-only triathlons and triathlon athlete herself wrote her name on Ms. Togna’s hand, so if she began to lose faith in herself, she could look at the signature and know Ms. Edwards thought she could do it.
Needless to say, the 38-year-old stay-at-home mom and part-time college professor and resident of Lakeview Drive in Allentown did complete it. And now she and two other friends Upper Freehold residents Lisa Murin, 40, of Trotter Way, and Meg McCarthy, 39, of Chapman Drive will be participating again in the triathlon being held at Sandy Hook on Sept. 16.
The Danskin Women’s Triathlon Series is in its 18th year and is the largest and longest running women’s multi-sport series in the world. The New Jersey race is the last of the eight races in the 2007 Series. The event features a combination half-mile swim in the Sandy Hook bay area, a 13-mile bicycle ride and a five-mile run. Proceeds from participant fees and donations go to the Breast Cancer Research Center.
While all of the women said they are happy to be raising money for breast cancer research, Ms. Togna said the triathlon acts more like a bonding experience.
Since doing a triathlon about 10 years ago in Long Island, she has moved, gotten married, and fallen out of touch with doing things like triathlons until she saw an advertisement for the Danskin Triathlon last year.
In the meantime, Ms. McCarthy, whose mother had beaten breast cancer twice, had been battling arthritis and wanted to participate in the triathlon. She was excited when she heard that Ms. Togna, her college roommate and close friend, was participating.
"We took it as a sign," Ms. Togna said. "We thought if we could do this, we could both feel like Meg is back. I felt like I had my old friend back."
"It’s something we are all always conscious of and we do things we know can keep us all healthy," Ms. McCarthy said. "I had such a hard time with arthritis that it was a real triumph to come out beyond that."
Ms. Murin Ms. McCarthy’s friend of 10 years and former fellow kindergarten teacher also joined them.
Ms. Murin said the three had always been somewhat athletic, and she personally wanted to stay in shape upon turning 40. One of her other close friends also had a mother who battled breast cancer.
"For me, it’s just more of a personal thing," she said. "We’re trying to keep each other as healthy as possible by just doing what we can to promote our own health."
"We just like to finish," she said. "We like to get though with dignity, poise and grace and say that we’ve done it," she added.
The three are preparing for their run this year, and according to both Ms. McCarthy and Ms. Togna, Ms. Murin keeps them in check for preparing.
"She’s the glue that’s holding us together," she said. "Lisa has taken over that role. She’s the one that’s serious about it."
Ms. Murin, who teaches fourth grade at Millstone Elementary School, said last year her students were very proud and even wanted to come to the event and watch her. She said she hopes she can be an inspiration to them to keep themselves healthy.
The women also hope to encourage other women to do the same. When other women say they could never finish the triathlon, Ms. Togna says, "the first thing any of the three of us will say is, ‘You absolutely can do it.’ It’s really more of a decision than a natural ability."
Ms. Togna said the event raises money for a great cause and is fun at the same time. While breast cancer hasn’t specifically affected her family, she knows there are a lot of women who have battled the disease.
"I know it’s out there, and I feel that it’s an important cause, so that makes it more of a reason to do it," she said.
These three women aren’t the only locals involved. Robbinsville resident and school administrator Marci Rubin, 43, of Hampton Court East, is also participating in the event for the first time on a team with two of her friends from Hamilton and West Windsor, and all together, they are hoping to raise $300, she said.
"The biggest reason for me was the challenge," said Ms. Rubin. "And I’m over 40 and I thought I’m probably in better shape than I’ve ever been, and I wanted to say that I’ve done a triathlon in my life."
One of Ms. Rubin’s friends works with the BCRC, and her friend raises a lot of money for the Race for the Cure events.
Ms. Rubin said she wanted to try something new by participating in the triathalon.
"I’m most excited about finishing," she said.
Ms. Rubin says she has already ordered her Danskin suit and is committed to participating.
"I think it’s going to be a great challenge, and I think everybody should do it at least once."

