Steamboat Pilot & Today

Steamboat Springs — Diane James is raising money for her best friend and others like him.

For the second year, James will be asking for donations for the Routt County Humane Society as she competes in the Danskin Women's Triathlon. Although not much of a training partner, James will have the added support of her St. Bernard Boomer, which she got from the Humane Society this February.

But another friend, Jane Collins, a co-worker she convinced to do the race after her success last year, will also join her. Both women work at Transnational Title Insurance Co.

Last year James raised $1,000 through the triathlon and this year she is aiming for $3,000. Although the triathlon is raising money for cancer, James and Collins will be giving their contributions to the Humane Society, something James is passionate about.

"They do so many things that I think (other agencies) should pay for," James said. "They do a lot."

This year James also worked with BAP to make dog jackets for the animals at the shelter and helped with the silent auction.

James and Collins will begin the race Aug. 4 at the Cherry Creek Reservoir in Denver. The first leg of the event is a mile swim, followed by a 16-mile bike ride and ending with a four-mile run.

Both women have been training since April, and James said it helps to have a partner. James wakes up at 6 a.m. every day to go for a run and bikes and swims at night. A friend donated a bike for her to use during the competition.

Collins has been training every day as she alternates the three disciplines, and she doesn't plan to let a nagging hip injury stop her.

With one triathlon under her belt, James said the hardest part of the course is the run that takes triathletes through wooden areas where it would be easy to walk with no one watching. "Last year I had no idea what to expect and I trained quite severely," James said. "It is good to know what to expect and it is good to know Jane is doing this with me."