They trained together, pushed and encouraged each other, and Saturday, the mother-daughter team will compete in their first triathlon together.

"We're a family. We all support each other all of the time, and it's good to support each other in something so healthy," said mom Marsha Hartley, who will participate in the Escape the Cape triathlon with her daughter, Sarah Cecil, and daughter-in-law, Leigh Cecil.

The Rochester residents completed some of their training at the Gleason Family YMCA, where Hartley teaches yoga.

"For me, it was on my bucket list," Hartley said. "Before I die, I have to do a triathlon."

Escape the Cape features a 1/3-mile swim, 10-mile bike, and 3.1-mile run.

Leigh decided to train with Hartley and Sarah to get into shape but initially did not plan to race. "Then it seemed silly training with them and not doing it."

Hartley added: "We talked her into it!"

The last, and first, organized event that the group participated in was a 100-mile bike ride in California three years ago, which raised money for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. Leigh's 7-year-old son, Elijah Neal, was diagnosed with diabetes when he was three, inspiring the family to buy bikes and train for the ride.

"I think, for all of us, we're way more comfortable on our bikes," Sarah said. The team agreed.

"We probably wouldn't be doing a triathlon if we hadn't done that [California ride]," Leigh said.

The team said the most surprising part of training for the triathlon was the difference between swimming in the ocean and swimming in a pool.

"Going from the pool to the ocean is scary," due to the waves and dark water, Hartley said.

The group completed all three courses of the race last weekend in preparation for the race and is excited for race-day to arrive. And they're already looking for their next challenge, whether it be another triathlon or another long bike ride.

"This is a new challenge for all of us, and I'm sure it will lead to more new challenges," Sarah said. "It's addictive."

The Escape the Cape triathlon begins at 9 a.m. on Saturday at the Onset Pier.