It's now only weeks until our July #ShowUP event (#ShowUP) with Triathlon Pink starts - the first event is on June 1st - so we will be encouraging you to #ShowUP - and even #TRY - all the way through July until the final event in Aug. If your reasonably fit - you really can do a 'Pink' Triathlon. But don't take it from us - meet Nicky Affleck.
In twelve months Nicky has managed to turn her life around completely - from an overweight smoker, to a confident young lady taking on her first Triathlon Pink event. Nicky has signed up for the first event in the Triathlon Pink series at Crystal Palace on June 1 but it has been a twelve-month work in progress for Nicky. No prizes for guessing which is the 'new' Nicky from the pix below! Did you can start with a 'short course' - 100m swim, 3km cycle, 1km run?
Here's seven tips Nicky used when she was planning her Triathlon - they are listed in more detail below:
Fitness Tip One: Set Goals
Fitness Tip Two: Make it Fun
Fitness Tip Three: Add training to your daily life
Fitness Tip Four: Invite friends and family
Fitness Tip Five: Small rewards
Fitness Tip Six: Be flexible with your exercise
Fitness Tip Seven: Have a reason beside yourself
CRYSTAL PALACE TRAINING TIPS
Triathlon Pink UK events are designed to cater for women of all abilities and fitness levels.
Triathlon Pink UK offers three event distances:
Short Course: 100m swim, 3km cycle, 1km run
Medium Course: 200m swim, 6km cycle, 2km run
Long Course: 300m swim, 9km cycle, 3km run
The distances are designed to allow participants the opportunity to slowly progress to the Long Course distance and provide a challenge over the series.
Triathlon Pink UK participants are not triathletes, who train 15-20 hours a week, they are everyday people who exercise for health and fitness and are looking for a goal to keep motivated.
Our venue partners in Crystal Palace, Bath, Sunderland, Leeds and Basildon all have pools and gymnasiums and qualified staff. In fact there are pools and gyms throughout the UK where you can gain advice on your training and fitness regime.
Below are some training and fitness tips to help you get started.
Fitness Tip One: Set Goals
Start your training with simple goals and then progress to longer-range goals. Remember to make them realistic and achievable. It’s easy to get frustrated and give up if your goals are too ambitious. If you haven’t exercised in a while, a short-term goal might be to walk, swim or ride 10 minutes a day three days a week. An intermediate goal might be to walk 30 minutes five days a week. A long-term goal might be to complete the Triathlon Pink UK short course event.
Fitness Tip Two: Make it Fun
Find activities and exercise that you enjoy doing and vary the routine. The great thing with triathlon is you can add three sports to your program, which adds to the variety. If you enjoy aerobics classes, keep doing them but add in a small swim after your workout or you could ride your bike to the class.
Remember, exercise is a lifelong pursuit and it doesn’t have to be boring – spice up your fitness life and exercise forever.
Fitness Tip Three: Add training to your daily life
If it’s hard to find time for exercise, don’t fall back on excuses. Schedule workouts as you would any other important activity. You can also slip in physical activity throughout the day. Take the stairs instead of the elevator. Walk up and down sidelines while watching the kids play sports. Pedal a stationary bike or do strength-training exercises while you watch TV at night. It is easier to fit exercise in to your daily life if you have a plan.
Fitness Tip Four: Invite friends and family
You’re not in this alone in all this. Invite friends or co-workers to join you when you exercise and encourage them to join Triathlon Pink whether it is for the triathlon or the fun run. Work out with your partner or other loved ones.
Fitness Tip Five: Small rewards
After each exercise session, take a few minutes to savor the good feelings that exercise gives you. This type of internal reward can help you make a long-term commitment to regular exercise. External rewards can help, too. When you reach a longer-range goal, such as finishing a Triathlon Pink UK event, treat yourself with a reward.
Fitness Tip Six: Be flexible with your exercise
If you find you are too busy to exercise or simply don’t feel up to it, take a day or two off but be gentle with yourself if you need a break. The important thing is to get back on track as soon as you can so you do not fall out of the habit of exercising. Once you’ve regained your enthusiasm start your program again! Set your goals again, make it fun and pat yourself on the back. Remember, physical activity is for life.
Fitness Tip Seven: Have a reason beside yourself
People who exercise for a reason more than themselves often maintain their fitness goals. By raising money for Breakthrough Breast Cancer you will be empowered and encouraged to continue with your exercise program. Perhaps encourage family and friends to sponsor you for every kilometer you will cover in your chosen distance. The longer the distance the more money you raise and the fitter you will become.
