For the past few months, 40-year-old Jessica Becker-Matthews has spent hours each week training for the Danskin Triathlon.

Sunday, her preparation was put to the test during the Danskin. She was one of more than 3,000 women who took on the challenge.

Moments before the race, Jessica received hugs and kisses from her husband, parents and daughters.

"Now it's time. It's time. I'm a little nervous," she said.

Jessica said this is the moment she had worked so hard for but admitted that it came with some tension.

"I am kind of tired and kind of freaked out," she said.

Her mom, Pat, flew in from out of town to show her support.

"She's doing great, and all of her siblings are waiting to see how she does today," Pat said.

Jessica's first test was a 1/2 mile open water swim at Decker Lake.

"Just keep swimming. Just keep swimming," she said as she made her way through the waves.

Meanwhile -- on land -- her husband, Alton, and daughters waited. When they saw Jessica they screamed.

"Go Jessica!" Alton said.

After spotting her, Alton and the girls took their banners and moved to cheer on Jessica as she tackled the 12-mile bike ride, which was loaded with hills.

"I had to absolutely, positively find my inner strength," she said.

Once again, her family waited and, once again, Jessica delivered. She finished the bike ride with a smile on her face.

She said the women helped her pull through.

"It's a tremendous atmosphere. The support is tremendous," she said.

The hardest part for Jessica still awaited her. Before crossing the finish line, Jessica had to run or walk a 5K. She said this came at a time when her strength and energy were running out.

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"I had to dig deep to find it," Jessica said.

She did dig deep and finished the race in less than three hours.

"I'm totally impressed with myself. I totally rocked," Jessica said.

The only problem was, when she crossed the finish line, her family was no where to be seen.

"Where's my family? I think they thought I would take much longer," she said.

She couldn't find her family at the finish line, but she eventually
caught up with them in the end, a new woman.

"A phenomenal woman. That's me," she said.