Lyn Lemaire made triathlon history by becoming the first woman to win Ironman. And today’s most famous triathletes are Paula Newby-Fraser (eight-time Ironman world champion) and Michelle Jones (who won a remarkable 175 races during her career). There have been women in triathlon since the sport’s inception. Therefore, the idea that triathlon is a men’s sport is a big mistake.
Women in sports regularly deliver outstanding performances and continue to inspire others. That’s why we decided to create this guide together with Anna Mikhailova, coach and founder of Rythm Of Your Life. What do girls who dream of trying triathlon need to know and what myths should they forget?
Anna Mikhailova
What do girls who want to try triathlon need to know?
If you’ve never exercised before but want to try triathlon, start by doing sprint training or participating in a team relay.
Some people think that triathlon is not a women’s sport because the most popular distance is the Ironstar 226 or “iron” (3.8 km swim + 180 km bike + 42.2 km run = 226 km). But there are also less scary distances, for example: Ironstar ⅛ – 0.5 km swim + 22 km bike + 5 km run = 27.5 km. By the way, I started my triathlon journey with this distance.
If you don’t know how to swim or bike yet, form a team of two or three people; One of them will do two stages or each will do their own stage.
For example, this year at the Ironstar triathlon competition, our Rythm club invited Varvara Vedeneeva (founder of the photobook printing service “Periodika Press”), her husband Vladimir and friend Alexandra Zharkova (co-founder of Setters, SE and Feel Again). Varya swam 500 meters in the pool, Sasha cycled 22 kilometers and Vova ran 5 kilometers. The kids were incredibly happy to finish it together.
Therefore, you can start exercising and try triathlon in any format you want. The important thing is to find a community of like-minded people.
Can girls do cyclic sports?
Cycle sports is an active training. These are also called cardio training or endurance training. But women’s metabolism is such that we can be more successful than men in these sports. This is all thanks to physiology; Women have more fat reserves than men, so we can be more durable.
How to train taking into account the characteristics of the female body?
There are no sharp fluctuations in men’s hormonal levels. Hence their dedication, reliability, stability and maximalism. For women, everything is different: Hormone production changes every day. Hence our inconsistency and suddenness. For this reason, every woman will need to adapt her hormonal calendar and create a training plan accordingly.
It is best to work on strength in the first phase of the menstrual cycle, and reduce the load in the second. The decrease in estrogen and progesterone production reduces performance during this period, so it is better to prefer swimming or running at a light pace with a low heart rate. Since you know these features, you do not need to fight with your hormones and spend all your strength on sports.
The most difficult period for strength training is the week before the start of menstruation. And the most suitable is before ovulation. During this period, estrogen levels rise and it is as if there is an extra 25th hour of the day. This is the perfect moment to train and get started.
Can I do a triathlon during my period?
There are no contraindications to triathlon training during menstruation, but everything is individual. If it is accompanied by severe pain, it is better not to participate in competitions. However, you can go to swimming training. Swimming during menstruation can help you relax and relieve tension as exercise improves blood circulation.
How to sit on a bicycle seat correctly?
To avoid discomfort while cycling, you need to train in special cycling shorts combined with a diaper. Moreover, you need to work with an expert to create the right position on the bike that will suit your parameters and anatomical features. Proper fit is 80% of your comfort.
When riding a road bike you need to get used to the riding position. At first, your lower back and lower pelvis may hurt out of habit. It is necessary to distribute the weight of the body correctly by leaning forward, leaning on the sitting bones, and sitting on the edge of the saddle, not as we are used to on a normal walking bike.
Is it possible to do a triathlon if you are overweight?
Triathlon is an effective way to lose excess weight, but it is important to consult a cardiologist before starting. Excess weight puts a lot of stress on the body, and the most vulnerable areas are the joints and the musculoskeletal system. In this case, cushioned running shoes will help.
In all other respects, triathlon, on the contrary, is recommended for those who want to lose weight. Swimming helps reduce body fat mass and also reduces stress on the musculoskeletal system; This is especially important if you are overweight. There is no shock load on the musculoskeletal system while cycling.
How does sports affect women’s self-confidence?
Sport changes not only the body but also the lifestyle. To start exercising, you need to make time for it. For example, start waking up earlier to exercise before work. When you start the day with exercise, you feel like you have overcome your laziness and weakness, which helps you stay inspired throughout the day and feel like a winner.
The circle of communication is gradually changing. Thanks to the triathlon environment, where strong people come together, friends, partners and like-minded people emerge.
What else does sports bring to women?
Sport provides psychological stability. When a woman experiences stress, she feels fear and anxiety not only for herself, but also for her children and loved ones. In order not to lose yourself and maintain your health, you need to have psychological stability and support within yourself; training and competitions help with this. There, you overcome your fears and begin to feel that everything is in your hands.
Source: People Talk
I’m Roger Gritton, and I’ve been writing for the The Fashion Vibes for over 5 years now. My specialty is beauty news; I’m passionate about covering the latest trends, products, and innovations in the industry. In my time there, I’ve become known as an authority on all things beauty-related.
I love discovering new experts to interview, researching up-and-coming ingredients and techniques that are making their way onto our beauty shelves and highlighting people who are making a difference in the world of cosmetics. My work has appeared not only on The Fashion Vibes, but also several other publications including the New York Times Magazine, Allure Magazine and Refinery29.
