While we took vicarious pleasure in watching top athletes compete in the Paris Summer Olympics, we can celebrate a couple of friends here on South Whidbey who compete in triathlons and Ironman 70.3 events worldwide.

Friends Sandi Lusk, 76, and Brenda Lovie, 62, competed in the Whidbey Island Triathlon July 20, and in world Ironman 70.3 events as well. Lusk placed first in her age group for the Whidbey event, and Lovie placed first in her age group, and third overall for women competitors.

“What keeps me going is the training, I couldn’t give it up,” Lusk said, as we sat on her lakeside deck at a home she shares with her husband Woody. “I want to keep racing. There’s an incredible vibe. Whether it’s Whidbey, or another race, there’s a lot of good energy.”

The first time Lusk participated in a triathlon was about eight years ago. Prior to then, she had not competed or considered herself an athlete. A now-retired former banking and high tech professional, she worked in a primarily man’s world at top executive levels. Lusk learned of the triathlons sponsored by South Whidbey Parks and Recreation, and thought she’d like to challenge herself.

This year’s race began with a half-mile swim at Goss Lake, followed by a 9-mile bike ride along country roads with views of the Cascade mountains, and ending with a 3.75-mile run along the trails behind South Whidbey Parks and Recreation’s headquarters on Maxwelton Road.

Lovie said she’s always thrived on competition, first as a former national figure skater, and later as a figure skating coach for 25 years. She also competed in running and cycling events during the 1980s while living in New Jersey.

“Fast forward to 2011, when we moved here,” Lovie said of her move to Whidbey with her husband John. It was 2019 when Lovie competed in the Whidbey Island Triathlon. “A friend of my daughter’s did a triathlon. I was interested. Someone told me about Kristi Eager (a swim coach who has since moved to Bellingham) and I met her at Island Athletic and joined their Masters Swimming program, and started swimming three days a week. I won the triathlon in my age group the first year. I was hooked from then on.”

The women met through their mutual interest, and became friends. They train together and talk every day. Their practice and subsequent wins has qualified them for worldwide half Ironman events.

“Now we’re part of a worldwide triathlon team — the Cupcake Cartel — who wouldn’t want to join with a name like that?” Lusk said.

“It’s the sweetest triathlon team,” Lovie added. “We have matching outfits. When we go to races, there are about 500 members of all ages and abilities.”

Lovie has qualified for the Ironman 70.3 World Championship, which takes her to Taupo, New Zealand this December. South Whidbey photographer Michael Stadler will also compete in that race. To qualify, for a half Ironman (which is half the distance of traditional Ironmans), one must win first or second place in their age category in a qualifying race.

An Ironman 70.3 course includes a 1.2-mile swim, 56-mile bike ride, and a 13.1 mile run, which equals 70.3 miles.

“I love competing and racing,” Lovie added. “John and I travel all over the world for my ‘race-cations.’ I am hoping to qualify for the 2025 Marbella Spain Ironman 70.3 World Championships. They had 3,000 women and 3,000 men competing in Finland last year.”

Both Lovie and Lusk qualified for the Finland competition last year. However, a shoulder injury prevented Lusk from attending.

In past half Ironmans, Lusk has completed the race in 7 to 7.5 hours; Lovie’s time runs from 5.5 to 6 hours.

The women train 10 to 15 hours a week. They swim with the Masters Swimming program at Island Athletic Monday, Wednesday, Friday at 5:30 a.m. There’s weekly open water swims, as well as running and biking practice as well.

Their dedication requires a regimented schedule, including diet, weight training, heart rate monitoring and getting a good night’s sleep.

“I love goals, having a target, knowing what I’m going to do when I get up,” Lovie said. “To me it’s a privilege to do this.”

Besides training for races, the friends serve on the board of the South Whidbey Recreation and Aquatics Foundation, a small non-profit that led an intense effort to get support for a bond to fund an aquatics center built on South Whidbey. A $27 million bond was passed by voters in last November’s election.

“We are committed to the swimming community,” Lovie said. “I’m president of the board. Sandi is treasurer. We’re now raising money for programming so everyone can use the pool regardless of ability to pay. We also wish to provide free swim lessons for all third graders and are raising funds through Friends of the Pool.”

“Teaching kids water safety is one of the reasons why we think the bond passed,” Lusk added. “Kids need to know to swim.”

Besides serving on the board of the South Whidbey Parks and Aquatics Foundation, the women are also part of Whidbey Open Water Swimmers, which has more than 400 members according to its Facebook page. Various members meet Saturday mornings at 8:30 a.m. at Robinson Beach.

Lusk and Lovie are part of a new group called BikeWhidbey, which promotes bicycle safety and creation of separate bike lanes connecting South Whidbey to North Whidbey. To learn more, visit the group’s Facebook page.

To learn more about training for triathlons, visit the Whidbey Island Triathlon Facebook page.