Without Limits Expands with First Hire!

As many of you know Without Limits Productions, founded in 2007, was founded on the principles that the Colorado Endurance Community was one family.  Veteran, first timer, pro, cyclists, triathlete, runner, or weekend warrior we were all part of the same endurance tribe.  We took the same mindset when it came to race production literally.  It's been an amazing journey and roller coaster as we've grown from a few local triathlons and branched out in the cycling/cyclocross world across the country with 4x events back in Cape Cod and North Carolina.  The key to keeping the "cart on the tracks" has been a face you've all seen at a packet pick-up or at the AQUAMAN Swim Series, our sister Candy Panigutti.  She's the glue that keeps it all together and the peacemaker for two brothers when times get stressful.  Now entering our 5th season we're proud to have her come on board as our first true hire.  We can't thank her enough for all the time and late nights she's sacrificed these past few seasons.  Curious how Candy got her start in triathlon and what made her fall in love with this crazy sport of ours?

My First Triathlon and Discovering Family by Candy Panigutti

July, 1998…How did I get here and why am I the only person not wearing a wetsuit? There I stood staring at the ocean waves in Falmouth, Massachusetts wondering .…did I miss something in the rules packet that required wetsuits?   I spent several years traveling around the northeast watching my brothers compete in triathlons for years, but somehow forgot that I was supposed to have 3mm of rubber to protect me from jellyfish! The switch from loyal spectator to competitor was going to be a cold, painful one!

I now find myself standing next to my brothers on the beach instead of behind them with a camera as a spectator. My nervous energy was at an all-time high, but knowing my family was nearby with unconditional support had a calming effect.  Wetsuit or not, I dive in and start well due to my swimming background and move quickly on to transition. My brother’s pre-race advice meant that if I put on socks, shorts or a t-shirt, they would pretend not to know me! So my 40lb orange mountain bike and I were off rather quickly. As I biked along the Atlantic Ocean, I fell in love with triathlon and discovered what made triathlon different and superior to other sports. Other racers repeatedly sped by me, but instead of yelling at me to “move over” or “pick a new sport” I heard encouraging words similar to what I would hear from my own family such as “keep up the good work #274” and “keep pushing”. I had discovered my triathlon “race family”. I continued to hear these encouraging phrases each time I was passed on the run as well. I may not have been the fastest racer on the course, but I finished with my held high and proud thanks to my fellow race family’s reassurance.

I continue to compete in triathlon every year for the same reasons as most of the readers of this article, it provides me a competitive outlet, keeps me in shape, and allows for a variety of training to prevent boredom. But I LOVE triathlon because of the family that surrounds me at all times. On the race course, strangers and volunteers support me with encouraging words, a phenomena that I never witnessed in other sports. As a race volunteer, I feel deep pride in every beginner athlete that crosses the finish line hours after nervously collecting their race packet and asking 100 questions.  And working for Without Limits allows me to stay close to my personal family and knowing that when I do race, they will still be next to me to remind me not to wear the socks!