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Well, my first tri of the year came and went last bank holiday Monday at Hart Leisure Centre in Fleet.  On Sunday night I packed my bag, checked and re-checked it, then loaded my precious bike into the back of the car.

I woke with a few nerves on Monday morning, put on my lovely new tri suit which outshone the old and battered running shoes I’d decided to wear.  I predicted that the cross country run was going to be a mud bath after all the rain.

The venue was already really busy when I got there just before 9am an hour before my designated start time.  There’s a really great buzz at these events, it’s contagious.  Everyone is busying themselves, setting up their bikes and laying out their kit for the transitions.  It’s very exact, with gels, shoes, hats, gloves, all being laid out in a very specific manner.  I seemed to have more ‘stuff’ than anyone else and was very glad that I’d brought some big plastic bags to lay over and under my kit, as it was threatening to rain at any moment.

Raring-to-Go6 days to go until my first triathlon of the year, although if it continues to rain like this it may just be one big swim! I did the same event last year, my first ever.

I’ve dug out my times and really hope I can beat them for a number of reasons: I like to think I’m fitter (I’d only trained for 4 months prior to the event last year) and of course, I now have the added bonus of a decent bike to help speed things up. Also, the transitions should be quicker as I will be familiar with the process and will try to avoid the general faffing of last year. I know it really doesn’t matter if my hair looks a mess and not sure the face moisturiser was really necessary after the swim!

3 weeks until my first tri of the season. How did that happen? I had been totally geared up for full on training, great diet, cutting down the booze, etc. Then, the school holidays arrived and it went downhill rapidly from there! I usually have a well planned training routine which goes along the lines of: drop kids at school, have a run/swim/spin/cycle, walk dog, fit in some work…

… However, over the two week holiday my training consisted of one evening swim – Andy (my very tolerant husband) walked through the door and I walked out. I’m not used to swimming so late in the day and it felt like a real struggle from start to end.

Train Hard TriathlonSeven weeks until my first triathlon of the season… I think I’ve been in a bit of denial up until today!  Three workouts a week has seen me through the winter but I’m now starting to gear myself up for some more intense training.  I’ve been managing around two runs and one swim a week, this hasn’t been hard as I really enjoy both.  Cycling is a whole different thing – it’s my least favourite of the three disciplines, yet such an important element of the whole event!

I joined a spinning class last week and will continue to go once a week, it’s a brilliant workout – so hard on my legs that I sometimes think I’ll keel over in the middle of a ‘hill climb’, but surely it can only help to build those leg muscles up for the big event? 

We are very excited to introduce our new Trigirl Ambassador and blogger for 2012, Katie Emery!

Katie is relatively new to triathlon, completing her first races last May and June. This year she plans to expand her race portfolio with 4-5 sprint-distance triathlons. Katie has inspired friends and family with her new-found athletic feats… going from a child who ‘hated any form of exercise’ to discovering triathlon in her 40s!

Read more about Katie on our website here and follow her progress throughout the season on her Trigirl blog.

 

We are so excited about the arrival of our new colourful triathlon race belts, that we decided to give them away for free (well…some at least).

Love Trigirl clothing? Tell your friends about it! From today and throughout April, refer us to three friends and as a thank you, we’ll send you a free race belt!

Click here for more information.

Interested in the science behind sport, particularly triathlon?

Trigirls in the Leeds area should check out The Royal Institute of Great Britain’s free Cutting Edge 2012: Behind Triathlon event on 27th March. Featuring a range of sports stars and top scientists in an interactive session with demonstrations, attendees can learn more about research and science in triathlon, how equipment can enhance performance, and how far technology should go in the quest for gold.

For more information, please go to www.rigb.org/cuttingedge2012

Tuesday 27 March 2012 from 7.00pm to 8.30pm

 

It’s almost here! The highly-anticipated first delivery of our 2012 collection is due to arrive in early March and we can’t wait! If you’re looking forward to it as well, why not pre-order now, guaranteeing the best choice of sizes and colors – and that you’ll be the first in your training group sporting our new Olympus Tri Suit or the fabulous Endurance Tri Tank?

A few highlights of the new collection include longer leg length options (check out our Olympus Long Tri Suit and Speed Tri Shorts), tri tanks with cup size options (the aforementioned Endurance), and colors and fits guaranteed to flatter. Of course, all of this in our signature high-performance fabrics, for your best triathlon season yet!

Click here to pre-order now!

Inspiration comes in many forms. Here at Trigirl, we are especially inspired by women in triathlon.

Women daring to toe the start line for the very first time, women who have battled personal challenges to become triathletes, women who have found sport in their golden years or after having children, and women who have used triathlon to lose weight, get healthy, and take their lives and their future into their own hands.

So in honour of all of you – triathletes and aspiring triathletes alike – we’ll be introducing some of our most Inspiring Women in the coming weeks here on our website.

They aren’t professionals and they may not always win their races. They may have overcome obstacles in their own lives – sickness, injury, grief – and have gone on to compete in triathlon with dedication, positive attitudes and fierce determination.

Our Inspirational Women not only participate in triathlon, but inspire others to take part. We think they’ll inspire you, too!

Are you or is someone you know an Inspiring Woman? Tell us… We’d love to hear your story and share the inspiration!

Our Women’s Only Novice Training Days dates have been updated. We are now offering your choice of three locations: London, Bristol, and Reading. Book now to guarantee your choice of venue and date!

This is your chance to receive expert coaching in a small group, giving you confidence for your first (or next!) triathlon race. Our training days cover practical sessions in all disciplines including transitions as well as training theory, nutrition and what to wear – and you’ll leave with a training plan for your chosen race!

Women’s Novice Training Day in London
21 April 2012, 9:30 am- 4:30 pm

Women’s Novice Training Day in Reading
28 April 2012, 9:00 am- 6:00 pm

Women’s Novice Training Day in Bristol
29 April 2012, 9:30 am- 4:30 pm

Still not sure if our training days are for you? Read a training day review on our website here: Training Day Review

So, you’re considering a triathlon. What’s next? What is triathlon, how do you sign up, how do you train, and most importantly, can you do it? Yes you can!

  • Which race distance is right for you?
  • How do you find a race near you?
  • Should you join a triathlon club?
  • How much do you need to spend on new kit?

So many questions! Read our new Beginner’s Triathlon Guide for Women on our Trigirl website here to find all the answers.

Trigirl is excited to introduce monthly special offers on our women’s-specific triathlon gear. A great opportunity for you to try some of our top-selling kit for less or to stock up on your favourites!

Visit us regularly or bookmark our special offers page to make sure you don’t miss out on this month’s great deal.

Until the end of January, get our Victory Trisuit in Passion Red for just £68– that’s 20% off the original price!

Triathlon Training For WomenCheck out our training tips for spring.

It’s not too soon to start planning for your 2012 season. Most races are open and filling fast, so it’s time to get to work, decide your goals, and get started on focused training!

Read about the importance of goal setting, how to choose a race and what base training is all about. Check the Training section of our website here.

What are your goals for 2012? Let us know your feedback or email us your triathlon training questions…

 

Hello Trigirls!

Hope this finds you in good health? If the health is not so good – I hope that this finds you in good spirits! Every cloud has a silver lining and all that…

At the moment, while I’m not in perfect health (I’m having a few back problems that have prevented me from long distance triathlon racing so far this season), I still feel that there is plenty to work on, and there is plenty of hope on the horizon.  I’ve just had to re-evaluate my short-term goals and while I’m confident that my long-term goal of racing at the World Championships Ironman in Hawaii (in 2012) is still achievable, it is going be via a different route to the one planned at the beginning of this year.

So what are your triathlon or training goals? Are they achievable? Are they too easy even? Do they need re-evaluating? I try and have goals for every session; it can take less than 30seconds to clarify what the