BOULDER, Colo. -- At the age of 41, Diane Groff faced the ultimate challenge in life when doctors diagnosed her with breast cancer. Groff met that challenge head-on by biking, riding and swimming to a full recovery.

Groff has been running hard. She is looking to shave two minutes off her overall running time. She and her coach, Ric Rojas, hope the work pays off. She has a very important race to run in a matter of weeks.

This year's Denver Danskin Women's Triathalon -- a .75-kilometer swim, 20-kilometer bike and 5-kilometer run competition -- happens to fall on Groff's 50th birthday.

It's a milestone accomplishment considering what Groff has been through the last nine years.

"I have become a triathalete because I am a cancer survivor," said Groff.

Groff's first breast cancer diagnosis came in 1998. Groff said it was a shock since she had no family history and lived an active and fit lifestyle.

Groff endured a lumpectomy and 25 days of radiation treatments.

It was during that time, Groff started to bike toward a recovery. She cycled to all of her treatments, completing her final radiation day with a 60-mile ride through the foothills.

Groff's resiliance was tested once again in 2001, though. A yearly mammogram detected an irregular-shaped fibroid. The breast cancer had returned, and this time it was more aggressive.

Once again, Groff rode her bike to each treatment.

"I chose to ride to all my cancer appointments because I did lose all of my hair, and when I put my helmet on it was the one time I looked like myself. And it was like I was putting my armor on," said Groff.

Now that Groff is turning 50 and celebrating five years cancer-free, her resolve hasn't changed. Groff plans to be the first woman ever to race in all eight Danskin triathalons. The mere attempt has the mayor of Denver taking notice. Mayor John Hickenlooper has declared race day as Diane Groff Day.

"You know being active does not guarantee the cancer won't come back, but being active does mean you can fight it as strongly as you can if it does come back," said Groff.

Groff said she knows there are no guarantees in life, which is why waking up every day is a gift and another chance.

For more information on the Danskin Woman's Triathalon, visit Danskin.com.

For more on Groff, visit DianeGroff.net.