"Diva" triathletes look to inspire others with benefits of race

Veronica Whitacre nearly died last spring.

The 49-year-old McAllen resident, who weighed 235 pounds, was hospitalized for six weeks, hooked up to an IV and given a cocktail of medicines.

A year later, she is competing in triathlons, after her brush with death helped inspire her to get fit.

Earlier this month, she competed in a New Braunfels triathlon, a race that includes swimming, biking and running. Whitacre competed with a group of women from McAllen and the PSJA area who dub themselves the "Dynamic Divas."

The team's five members of varying ages and occupations train together five nights a week. None had previously competed in triathlons and most didn't even know one another before they began training together in February.

Now, Whitacre and her fellow "divas" are on a mission to inspire others to exercise after seeing firsthand the benefits of triathlon racing.

Whitacre, who said she's been overweight her whole life, has lost 75 pounds since her illness. She said anybody can be an athlete, regardless of weight - the important thing is to keep exercising.

"Basically, I felt that I did it for my kids," Whitacre said. "I wanted my boys to see what their mom could do. If (I) could do it, then anybody could do anything."

Whitacre said she struggled at the onset of her training. Even a 200-foot swim was a challenge at first. But steady, incremental work helped her meet her goals. She said those who seemed skeptical of her attempt to race in a triathlon fueled her motivation.
"It would make me angry," Whitacre said. "I can run. I can do it."

The group plans on competing in three more triathlons this summer and entering one at South Padre Island in the fall.

Pharr resident Crystal Lugo, 26, said she joined the group to lose some of the weight she gained during her pregnancy last year.
"I had never dreamed I'd be able to do (a triathlon)," Lugo said. "I surprised myself."

She said competing in the triathlon has helped boost her confidence and made her feel better physically. Now, her whole family is exercising more.

"When you finish," Lugo said, "it's a great feeling."

Marlen Diaz, of Alamo, said she has always been interested in competing in a triathlon. When she finally raced, the experience was dream-like.

"Midway I was doing it, and I was like, ‘Whoa - it's not a dream. I have to finish this,'" said Diaz, 20. Now, "I feel like I can do anything I want."

Ryan Holeywell covers PSJA, the Mid-Valley and general assignments for The Monitor. He can be reached at (956) 683-4446.