Fight Pink–August 10, 2010– When mother of 3 and triathlete Karen Newman was diagnosed with Stage 3 breast cancer, she started a video diary. That was over 2 years ago.

Today, Karen Newman is a role model for women and men everywhere who are battling Breast Cancer. Karen continued to train, as well as compete in triathlon’s while under going chemotherapy. She wanted to show her children, ‘that mommy could still do this, that I could race, I could finish.”

She continues to compete in triathlons, after taking a short break due to some complications to surgery, and this year her American Cancer Society team raised more than two hundred thousand dollars, more than any other team has ever raised.

“Why should we stop our lives?” she said.

With the support of her doctors and family members, Karen continued training, biking 30 miles, swimming and running.

“I thought it was a fantastic decision,” said her husband, Peter Newman. “By going, she is showing anyone, including elite athletes, that just because you have cancer doesn’t mean you can’t achieve great things.”

Doctors discovered a lump in Newman’s breast three years ago, but biopsy results were negative. So she was surprised to hear that she indeed was diagnosed with cancer and that it had spread to her lymph nodes.

“I was in shock,” she said.

The mother of three is a registered dietitian with a master’s degree in clinical nutrition and a lifelong athlete committed to healthy living. She said she has no family history of cancer, so it was difficult to understand.

But she didn’t want to dwell on the why. She decided to focus on being healthy and continuing to do the things she loves, such as triathlon racing.

But chemotherapy did take its toll. Newman said she got nauseated, had headaches and trouble sleeping, and tired easily, which she is not used to.

For a woman who grew up with the nickname “Speedy,” it has been an adjustment.

“She’s incredibly positive and kind. She says, ‘If I act like I feel, that’s giving in to the cancer, and I’m not going to do it,’” Peter Newman said.

She tried to maintain her work schedule but had to give up some things, such as her business clients and her permanent spinning teacher position. Now she substitutes.

“I don’t know how she’s able to sustain that energy level,” Peter Newman said.

Karen Newman has always been a tough competitor. She has won several triathlons, in which she swims 1.5 kilometers, bikes 40 kilometers and runs 10 kilometers.

“Instead of focusing on winning a medal or placing in the top 10, I will remember what a gift it is to be competing and what a gift each and every day is to all of us,” she said. “This whole journey has been a blessing.”

You can see more of Karen’s video diary at The Today show.

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