From a Fear of Water to an Inspiring Fundraiser: Katy McClure’s Triathlon Journey

Katy McClure recently signed up for YWCA Minneapolis Women’s Triathlon. The only problem? She was afraid to swim. Even though she loved being in the water, the moment she couldn’t touch bottom, her fear took over.  

YWCA Women’s Triathlon gave Katy, a veterinary technician from Frogtown, the motivation to overcome her fear and blossomed into an opportunity to honor the most important women in her life.   

Doing a triathlon wasn’t high on her priority list. It came up during a coffee date with a lifelong friend. The pair had previously run 5Ks together, like the Turkey Trot, in Minneapolis.   

“I enjoy bike riding,” Katy said. “I love being in the water, but I was just terrified to put my face in the water and not be able to touch the bottom. I never really thought about a triathlon until Kristen mentioned it.” 

Between the triathlon and an upcoming trip to Hawaii, Katy was ready to address her fear. Both friends had been contemplating swimming lessons. By sharing their fears, they were able to move forward together.  At that same coffee date, they looked up swim lessons, found a Saturday class that fit their schedules and went to work.  

Supporting Each Other Every Step of the Journey

The secret wasn’t the way they forced themselves to take action; it was how they did it together. Swimming lessons were a good first step, but like many in our triathlon community, they continue to rely on each other through training.  

“We’ve set aside time to meet, go swimming and encourage each other,” Katy said. “I’m always a little apprehensive to get in a lane with somebody else who looks like they know how to handle staying their correct course in the same lane, so it’s nice to have a friend where you might hit hands and kind of laugh while you’re doing it.” 

In addition to swimming, they pair up for yoga, cycling and body pump. They frequently wrap up their session in the hot tub, where they discuss their triumphs and anxieties for the week.  

Being new to YWCA Minneapolis Women’s Triathlon, they may not know it yet, but they perfectly embody the spirit of our event. One participant last year noted the particularly supportive vibe on the bike leg, where women would offer encouragement as they passed.  

Using YWCA Triathlon to Honor Impactful Women

Katy described learning to swim as nerve-wracking but noted how it turned her fear into confidence. As she turns her attention to YWCA Women’s Tri, that confidence mirrors the women Katy plans to honor through the race.  

She’s dedicating the swim section to herself, the bike section to her mother and the run leg to her grandmother.

A recent cancer survivor, Katy’s mother has always been an inspiration. She lives with a rare genetic eye disease, which caused her to gradually lose vision until she became blind. Katy was also close to her maternal grandmother, also a cancer survivor, who lost her life to Alzheimer’s disease in 2017. 

“I’ll honor those women through every step, even though the journey is mine,” Katy said. “I feel like the biking portion is the longest, so that’s where I’ll honor my mother for her perseverance throughout her whole life." 

Paying it Forward: Using YWCA Women’s Triathlon as a Tool to Empower Women

In addition to competing in the YWCA Tri, Katy registered as a YWCA Triathlon fundraising champion, working toward a collective goal to raise $20,000 to support YWCA Minneapolis programs. 

“Growing up, my mom was kind of a single mother,” Katy said. “Raising us with a disability, she looked for support from other women and community members, so I feel that raising funds or awareness of how YWCA Minneapolis promotes empowering women is really cool.” 

YWCA Minneapolis Women’s Triathlon is a celebration of the strength and resilience of women, giving participants a chance to show themselves and the world what they are capable of.  It’s also an important fundraiser for the organization.  

Funds raised at the event help support early childhood education, youth development programs and wellness opportunities.  

Each fundraiser is asked to raise at least $500. Katy plans to leverage her professional and personal networks to reach the goal. She started with a flyer at work; next, she plans to leverage her Instagram following. She also plans to reach out to a supportive network of women in her husband’s family. 

While they may start as donors, Katy hopes several supporters will also participate in the race in future years. 

Involving a Support Network at YWCA Women’s Tri

Every registration helps YWCA Minneapolis pursue its mission to eliminate racism and empower women and girls. Fundraising champions like Katy take it a step further, making a bigger impact by reaching out to their personal and professional networks to support our work.  

If you’d like to join Katy as a fundraiser, we encourage participants to upgrade their registration.  

Not everyone wants to compete in a triathlon. For those who can’t compete in the event, YWCA welcomes supporters of all kinds.  

Volunteers are always welcome; it takes over 300 to keep the race safe and fun for participants. It’s a great way for spouses, partners and co-workers to share in the race day experience.  

If you’re not interested in volunteering, spectators are also welcome. Bring a sign to support your participant and be ready to cheer. Once you experience the incredible vibe of the event, we hope you will consider participating next year or supporting YWCA Minneapolis.