Want to donate by buying a TRI-ing For A Cause T-Shirt?

Purchase a t-shirt to help us raise funds for the Mark Felice Childhood Cancer Fund. They are a standard aqua t-shirt for $17 each (XXL and XXXL for $19) with majority of the profits going to the foundation. 

We will be ordering the shirts on May 9th so please let me know if you would like one (emailing me at annmariefrancese@gmail.com or calling me 512-658-7269) or you may purchase one online (on left side bar) by May 1st!!

We will order extras but there are no promises we will have the size you prefer. 

The t-shirt brand is Jerzees 50/50 T which is different from the past 2 years and will breath better.

Front: TRI-ing For A Cause, Mark Felice Childhood Cancer Fund, 2010

Back: Float the Swim, Walk the Bike, Crawl the Run

Training for the Swim

Tonight at Tough Cookies we had our first swim practice. We were all ready to go in our onesies, goggles and swim caps when we found out the pool had just had new chemicals put in it and we weren't going to be swimming. So instead we learned about the technique and form for the best movements in the water. It is quite interesting how much the style of swimming has evolved over the years to teach us how to swim more like a fish. If you move your body from side to side and have great balance in the water you will glide  like a pro through the water.

The trainer told us to think of the triathlon as a full course meal. The swim is the appetizer: it is the shortest distance and will be your shortest time spent doing it. It will prepare you for the next two events as you shouldn't over exert yourself from the start. The bike is the entree: this is the longest distance and will be the biggest time. You will be able to enjoy the ride as the bike carries you, push yourself a bit more and prepare you for the final event. Last, the run is the dessert: this is going to be the hardest event but the best part is that you are past the halfway mark, can easily run or crawl to the finish, and you will push yourself until you just can't go any further. I liked this analogy as it puts it into perspective on the effort you will need to complete each event.

Great link on Swimming:
How to Improve Your Swim (great video!)

And the Training Begins!

Today marks the first day of training for the Tri! I couldn't be more excited. There are even more people joining Tough Cookies this year as well as doing the triathlon its going to be a great year. If any of you are still on the fence there is an informational talk this evening at 6pm to discuss the commitment and what it involves for Tough Cookies. For more details you can visit the website: http://toughcookies.com/

For those of you training on your own I would recommend buying a book for support and input on techniques or just Google your heart out to find the best practices to keep you motivated. I enjoy reading information on Active.com: http://www.active.com/triathlon/
You can get weekly emails giving you tips on best practices for each section of the race. They usually have great advice on what to eat, videos on transitioning, swimming, bike riding, etc.

Please let me know if you have any questions or input for the blog. Also check back for the new t-shirt design! We will start to have ordering open soon!

Happy First Day of Training!!

Looking for a Training Group...

If you are new to triathlons or wanting to have a set schedule to help motivate you to workout there are great training groups in Austin. In the past we have done Tough Cookies which is an all womens group that helps to improve your skills, endurance, and speed! The women all have a story for why they tri and a few do it to raise money for the Mark Felice Childhood Cancer Fund. It is a 10 week program that begins on March 29th! The trainers are very encouraging and you will meet women at all levels and when I say all levels I mean ALL LEVELS...some have never been running or know how to swim! If that isn't encouraging then I don't know what is!

The other program that is recommended is the Rogue Training Group. This is an 8 week program for men and women and begins on April 5th! I have heard great things about this group as well and it really will depend on what fits your schedule best.

I'm signing up today for Tough Cookies! Let me know if you are interested or if you would like some more details!

Which Triathlon Do You Want To Do?

The past 2 years we have done the Danskin Triathlon (only women) and last year was the first where we raised money by doing the Danskin and the Cap Tex Tri. This year we are going to encourage everyone to get involved and to do the Cap Tex Tri and the Danskin. My family and I are planning to do the Cap Tex Tri on Memorial Day, May 31st! They offer different levels: First Tri (good for new triathletes), Sprint, Olympic, and the Trisome (relay). We are going to do the sprint which is: 750 meter swim, 20k bike, and 5k run. Last year the course was wonderful. You swim in townlake which to some might sound gross but they wash it out a few days prior to it, the bike it through downtown with minimal hills, and the run is around auditorium shores and downtown.

Here is a link for more details about the Cap Tex Tri: http://www.captextri.com/

If you are not available the day of the Cap Tex or prefer to do the Danskin Tri click here: http://www.danskintriathlon.net/Austin__TX.html
I encourage all of you to consider one of the race options and if not then to help us to raise money for the Mark Felice Childhood Cancer Fund!

Triathlon Season is HERE!

So I'm sitting at work trying to sell as many Dell computers as possible on a Saturday and got a lovely email saying you can register for the Danskin Triathlon and the Cap Tex Tri!! WOO so exciting!!! Call me crazy but I am really excited!

For those who don't know about the crazy reason for why we do triathlons it's to help raise money for the Mark Felice Childhood Cancer Fund! Since 2008 we have raised money to help support the needs of children and their families in the research and treatment of cancers. If you would like to get involved with the race, fundraising, or support please feel free to join in!

Our goal each year is to raise more money than the last, cross the finish line, and have a ball while doing so! This blog is to increase awareness of the Mark Felice Childhood Cancer Fund, give details on fundraising, and encourage people as they train for the triathlon! Please feel free to subscribe to the blog so you can get updates!

Offseason Swimming!

Now that the tri season has come to an end here is a great article on 3 things to focus on for the offseason!

1. Drills

2. Long Slow Distance

3. Yoga and/or Weights

Offseason Swimming: 3 Things to Focus On