FIT TIP FRIDAY . . . GIVE IT A TRI!

These triathlons are Sprint distances.   What does that mean?  It means YOU can do it!  Sprint triathlons are short-distance triathlons, usually consisting of a 750-meter swim, 20k-bike ride and a 5k-run. This is half the distance of an Olympic triathlon and less than a quarter of the distance of the Ironman. Distances may vary slightly from event to event, but they typically adhere to these standards. Because of their shorter distances, sprint triathlons have become really popular and are ideal for beginner athletes.  Specifically, the Danskin Races are 1/2 mile swim, 12 mile bike ride and 3     mile run.  You can participate Individually or as a Relay Team.  Either way you will have cheerleaders every step of the way offering motivation and support!

DON’T BE SCARED!
If you’ve never done one of these, don’t be intimidated if you haven’t swam in a while or don’t have a fancy bike.  On my first Sprint Triathlon I trained only a little in our local YMCA pool and used my regular 10 speed bike!  It was so much fun, fabulous and empowering to see all these women together, all sizes and shapes and every age imaginable!  

YOU CAN TRAIN!
As far as training, there are tons of programs and schedules you can find online.  If you have an hour a day for exercise, you have time to prepare for a triathlon race.  The simplest schedule is to alternate running, biking ans swimming and rest on the seventh day.  
They say that the hardest thing for a triathlete to do is take a day off because with three sports to master, you feel like you should always be out there doing something. But giving your body some downtime is absolutely essential.

Much of competing in a triathlon has to do with conservation of strength. When swimming, you need to know the best way to pull yourself through the water with your arms so you can save your legs for the hiking and running. On your bike, you need to know how to pull up with your legs instead of pumping down so you can save your running muscles for the run.   Another important part of triathlon training is “bricking,” which means combining one or more activities in a single workout. For example, you might swim laps in the pool, then jump on your bike. Or you could begin with a walking to running workout and then transition to biking.  You can do any of these indoors or outdoors.  I would say try to do some outdoors to get a real feel for what your body will be doing on race day.  There are all sorts of little tips and tricks you can find on the internet and in fitness articles that I won’t go into here.  

WHAT’S COOL ABOUT DANSKIN TRIATHLON?
*There are races all across the country!  Look below for the schedule . . . 

*It “PAYS IT FORWARD”!  The Events support Breast Cancer Research       Foundation and Team Survivor nationally, as well as local food banks and women’s shelters in each of the  Race cities.  

MAY 13 – CLERMONT, FL
JUNE 3 – AUSTIN, TX
JULY 22 – WEBSTER, MA
AUGUST 5 – HOWELL, MI
AUGUST 19 -SEATLLE, WA
AUGUST 26 – CHICAGOLAND
SEPTEMBER 9 – SANDY HOOK, NJ
OCTOBER 7 – PALM SPRINGS, CA

So, here’s your chance to find a TRI near you, plan a destination TRI and begin training!  LET ME KNOW IF YOU REGISTER FOR A DANSKIN TRIATHLON, WHEN AND WHERE!!  

Check out http://www.danskintriathlon.net  for  more info.

What’s on your race schedule?  Going to try a TRI?  Any crazy TRI stories from your races?