“I had to learn how to swim in the open water,” says Miller, 62, who lives in Glendale, where she also operates a personal training studio. “The very first [triathlon] event I ever did seven years ago, I didn’t finish because of the swim.”
Over the ensuing seven years, Miller has worked her way up to become a strong competitor in the Danskin triathlon, and has finished in the top-10 of her age division on several occasions.
At the same time, she’s remained true to the Danskin triathlon’s founding spirit of inclusion and encouragement by working to help others rise up to the same challenge.
“Cindy is extremely positive and encourages everyone around her,” says Julie McAdam, 58, a volunteer coordinator from the San Fernando Valley, who met Miller in 2001 and has participated in five Danskin triathlons since. “She’s a great personal trainer and she makes it possible for you to do things that you didn’t think you could possibly do.”
The Danskin Women’s Triathlon Series is currently in its 19th year and has drawn over 210,000 participants to date, according to Danskin’s figures. In eight events scheduled for this year, more than 25,000 women are expected to take part nationwide.
This year’s Anaheim event promises some interesting twists, as far as the course goes. The race will kick off at 6 a.m. with an open-water swim through the lagoon at Disney’s California Adventure Park and will continue throughout Disneyland Resort property.
“That’s going to be a lot of fun,” Miller says. “[Danskin does] one through [Walt Disney World in] Orlando, and the women there say it’s really quite fun.”
