6 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!
Ready to switch to clipless pedals for the first time? The world of shoes-cleats-pedals can seem a bit intimidating, but it doesn’t have to be! Check out our latest advice on why cycling-specific shoes are a good idea, what kinds of cleats and pedals are available and more.
Already using clipless pedals? Which system do you use? Here at the Trigirl office, we’ve debated the options, but we’d like to hear what you think. Let us know and help other Trigirls decide what will work best for them.
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.
It’s the time of year when most of us get really excited about training. At last, it’s getting (a little!) warmer and race season is almost here!
In all of the excitement, don’t forget the importance of recovery. Taking the time to let your body repair itself is as important as training to help you cross that finish line in style. Schedule at least one easy day and one day off a week to keep yourself fresh, engaged and injury-free.
Seven 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.
Completing an Ironman triathlon (2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike, 26.2 mile run) is impressive for anyone. For Jenny Hinshaw, completing the Lake Placid 2004 Ironman was nothing short of amazing.
Read Jenny’s inspiring story here– and look out for upcoming stories about more of the women that continue to amaze and inspire all of us at Trigirl.
When it comes to competing in triathlon, the last thing you need to worry about is what to wear, right? Wrong!
Choosing your triathlon kit and packing your triathlon transition bag can be a challenging part of the sport- and one that very few train for! There’s nothing worse than training towards a big race, only to find that your kit doesn’t perform on the day or that you’ve forgotten to pack your cycling shoes.
Check out handy tips for what to wear for training and racing here, and look out for our handy race day checklist, coming soon!
Worried about buying your tri kit online? Don’t be- we can help!
For answers to all of your fit questions, check out our new ‘Will It Fit?’ guide and order with confidence.
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
Would you like to win an autographed copy of Chrissie Wellington’s new autobiography, A Life Without Limits? We have one and we’d like to give it to you! (Aren’t we nice?)
For your chance to win, tell us- how do you live your life without limits? All entries received by 30th April will receive a voucher code for 10% off of any full-priced item in Trigirl’s new 2012 line!
Send your entries to marketing@trigirl.co.uk by 30th April for your chance to win. We look forward to hearing your story!
A Life Without Limits: A World Champions Journey by Chrissie Wellington is published by Constable at £18.99.
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!
Do you have an inspirational story to tell?
Have you beaten the odds to get to where you are today?
Tell us your inspiring story for a chance to win a free place at our Trigirl Novice Training Day on 21st April 2012 in London and to have your story featured on our website!
Click here for details and to enter to win!
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!