A local cross training duo is working hard to prove that there's no excuse when it comes to staying fit and that goals can be reached at any age.

Bridgette Dautrich, 45, and Anna Hlywa, 36, will compete in their first Aflac Iron Girl Triathlon, which also happens to be the first Iron Girl Triathlon in the region. The event takes place at Oneida Shores Park in Brewerton as one of 10 stops across the country.

The Iron Girl is an all-female triathlon, including an 800m swim, a 50K bike and a 5K run made for women of all athletic levels, from novices to the more-seasoned athletes.

“What is great about this kind of event is that absolutely anybody can participate in it,” Hlywa said. “As long as you have desire, passion, a good training schedule and a realistic goal, you can achieve what you want to.”

“Women from all walks of life can do this,” Dautrich added. “It's fun for anyone to do and there is no limits - all shapes and sizes - it can be accomplished by anyone who wants to do it.”

Both women have two children, multiple jobs and the same time-consuming tasks that are faced by most people. Yet, with their goals in mind, both make the time and put in the effort in order to prepare themselves for the rigors of a triathlon.

“We go out every day from 4 a.m. to 7 a.m.,” Dautrich said. “That is the only time that we can find to train and we do it. With kids and several jobs, we knew that if we wanted to be able to make this happen, we have to be devoted and really commit to the training.”

Relying on one another as friends and training partners also helps the duo remained focused. The two met when working together more than 10 years ago at the Holiday Inn, and have been working and training together ever since.

“When it comes time to get up and go out in the sleet, rain or snow, it helps being friends,” Dautrich said. “When that alarm goes off and you know someone is waiting for you it makes it that much easier to get out of bed and do it. I know that I can work out with just about anybody but I know that I can depend on Anna, which is something you need when you are doing the type of events thatwe do.”

Dautrich and Hlywa not only compete in sprint triathlons, but they also do relays, marathons and tandem races. On top of competing, they both teach classes at the YMCA-WEIU, which is how they got involved in the Iron Girl.

Joe Calarco, the regional sales manager for Aflac Insurance in Auburn, is a member of Dautrich's spinning class at the YMCA and volunteered to sponsor the two of them in the Iron Girl.

“Calarco was the driving force that got us involved, really,” Hlywa said. “Once he decided to sponsor us we put it on our calendars and set the goal.”

With extra aches and pains, Dautrich said her age is also a compelling reason to keep competing and stay fit, proving that no matter your age, it can be accomplished.

“I have a couple of female mentors that are older than me that I see doing this,” Dautrich said. “Nicki Wright and Laurie Marshall-O'Connor are two friends of mine that, at 10 years older than I am, they compete in the Iron Man. Seeing that from them has been inspirational. I am trying to stay in shape for my age because fitness has always been important to me and I want to prove that it really is mind over matter.”

Neither Dautrich nor Hlywa are looking to win the triathlon but are excited to participate in an all-female event. With Dautrich favoring the running portion and Hlywa a fan of the biking, both are as prepared as they can be for the challenge ahead of them this weekend.

“It's a fun goal to work towards,” Hlywa said. “We definitely don't do it to win but it is going to be a fun time and inspiring to see the women competing around us.”