A New Breed Of Triathletes

Lower Hudson Online:

On a typical day during peak training season, triathlete Elizabeth Ann Dugan swims three miles, bikes 30 and goes for an evening spin on the elliptical trainer.

She squeezes her workouts between shuttling her three sons to and from school, paying the bills, walking the dog and cooking dinner.

The 44-year-old single mother from Rye quit her job as a trader on Wall Street 13 years ago when she got pregnant with her oldest son, Jimmy. The former recreational athlete got hooked on triathlons after she saw some photographs of the esteemed Ironman on the wall of her chiropractor’s office and decided to give the sport a try.

Dugan, who is known as “EA,” has been competing in triathlons for the past five years, often finishing among the top 10 in her age group. She recently started a business coaching budding triathletes in her spare time and said she has found sanctuary in the sport.

“I think that all women need something to call their own and to make them feel good,” Dugan said. “Whether it’s triathlons or spinning or yoga class or tennis, I think they need to take a little bit of time out of the day for themselves. It makes me a better mom.”