“Try a Tri” – 4Life’s Basic Guide to How You Can Try, Train and Complete your First Triathlon
Through funding obtained in late 2008 from the National Lottery 'Awards for All Programme', 4Life is one of the best resourced clubs in the East Midlands. We actively encourage new participators to the sport of triathlon and are able to support you every step of the way towards your first competition (with the exception of physically carrying you around the course). Whether you are an adult or junior, we have club resources available for short term loan. These include:
4Life Try a Tri: Swimming
Provision of swim training aids (floats/fins) within structured training sessions;
Provision of adult and junior wet suits (for when you want to try open water sessions);
Swim technique training by a dedicated qualified coach working exclusively with anyone wishing to learn or improve their technique
4Life Try a Tri: Cycling
Provision of both introductory racing and/or hybrid specification bikes up to 6 weeks ahead of your race on a tarmac surface.
Provision of either an introductory cyclocross bike and/or MTB bike should you wish to dive in to non tarmac events – or for juniors – regular grass track races in the summer or winter.
Basic bike set up to ensure that you are on a bike that fits you, rather than you fit the bike.
4Life Try a Tri: Running
Provision of coached run sessions suitable for all abilities – supported by a training programme – to give you the right amount of recovery and encouragement with your preparation.
4Life Try a Tri: The Other Bits You Might Just Need?
In taking part in your first event, you might just need the following “extras” provided by the club:
Transition training – to get you through the emotional bits in between the physical bits?
Nutritional advice to keep you maintained – and maintenance advice – to keep your bike maintained (although if you feed your bike and oil yourself, you might have got the sessions the wrong way round?)
On most occasions, we can find you a tri suit and number belt to wear on your big day, so - the only items of kit you may have to find yourself are a pair of goggles for the pool and a pair of running shoes for the cycle and run.
We recognise that proper preparation puts you at ease in both the training and when you step up to enter your first event. 4Life’s team of coaches includes both experienced adults and juniors who have competed for years as well as coaches who have completed their first event in the past 18 months. Whatever pace you wish to go at, and what ever distance you wish to cover, we can help you not only make it to start line with confidence – but also ensure you come away having remembered your day for all the right reasons. Through 2009 we have been proud to see over 40 adults and junior members come through to complete their first events including local club night races through to competing as a team member at the National Relay Championships held each year on our back doorstep at Holme Pierrepont.
Of course, there is more to life than simply completing one race – and we hope that through friendships and support that come through spending time in the club at training nights, events and the odd social do – you will go on to exceed your own expectations for what you think is possible into the future – and when you look back on how you started – you might see just how far you have come and who has been alongside you on the journey.
Excerpts of feedback from those that have crossed the finish line for the first time includes:
“This year has been the first time I can swim more than one length of the pool freestyle! Thanks to Val's teaching and patience!”
“Joined club spring of this year, did my first club relay at HP. Loved the event - even though scary swim. Great atmosphere and support from all 4Lifers. Really enjoying training with everyone - looking forward to more events!”
“I competed in my first Olympic Distance Triathlon at the end of this season at Tatton Park. It's been great to find such a friendly and enthusiastic club, it keeps me motivated when I'm wavering!”
So what’s your story going to be? Please see our “Home Page” or “About Us – Where and When We Meet” as to how to meet us and join us to take part in your first triathlon in 2010.
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