Kitsap Tri Babes

The Kitsap Tri Babes began in 2003 when Lisa J. Ballou, the self-proclaimed, "Tri Turtle" twisted the arms of her Bunco Group friends and "suggested" that they train for the Danskin Women's Sprint Distance Triathlon with her. "It will be lots of fun AND you'll get in great shape AND I promise to train you completely AND it is for a great cause -- breast cancer research!!!" Lisa implored. Kelly Cole was the very first pink diva to say "yes." She was soon joined by six others. All seven women successfully and joyfully completed that year's event. The next year, friends told friends and the group numbered 35, the following year it expanded to 81. Each year, the group as grown and we now boast over 200 powerful pink members!!! Every single Tri Babe who has begun a sprint distance triathlon has comPLETEd that triathlon.

Our group has women of all ages (13 to 65+), weights (90 to 300+), and athletic abilities (age division winners to "back of the packers"). There truly is a place for every woman in our training group. Our motto, a quote from John "The Penguin" Bingham and emblazoned on the back of our pink training jerseys states, "the miracle is not that I finished; the miracle is that I began." Each training session is dedicated to supporting both the first and the final finisher. Those of us who can not comPETE, take pride in being able to comPLETE.

Lisa J. Ballou has spent most of her adult life as an English Professor and is currently the co-owner of Expansions Yoga in Silverdale and Port Orchard. She is the (mostly proud) mother of 2 sons: Dane and Drake. Lisa signed up for her first endurance event after giving birth to Dane, in 1993. She slowly graduated from a 1/2 marathon to a full marathon to a Sprint distance triathlon to an Olympic distance, and then to a 1/2 Ironman. In 2004, she completed her first full Ironman in Canada in order to celebrate her 40th birthday. (As mid-life crises go, it was cheaper than a new car!) She has completed a total of SIX Ironmans including Nevada, Florida, Switzerland, and Coeur D'Alene. She earned her "Tri Turtle" nickname by coming in 2nd TO LAST at both Nevada and Switzerland and DEAD last at CDA! In every event, her goal is simply to "finish upright before the sponsors take the finish line down!!!" Lisa is firmly committed to the idea that simply by participating, amazingly life-changing fitness goals can be achieved.