A GROUP of 14 Warrington women completed their first ever triathlon event after taking part in a LiveWire and British Triathlon novice training camp.
Over the past six weeks, the women have attended Sunday morning training sessions delivered by experienced British Triathlon couch Helen Macvicker.
They have practiced all elements of the sport – swimming, cycling and running – and the hardest bit of all, putting it all together.
The course was part of LiveWire’s Go Tri series of events and the women have been on an epic journey as they ventured from nervous beginners, through to accomplished triathletes.
For many, the biggest fear came from the swim – as for the majority this was their weakest discipline – with some of the women only just learning to swim recently through the help of adult swim lessons at LiveWire.
Farina Cahm, who started her swimming lessons two years ago after being a complete non-swimmer, even managed to venture into open water swimming with the support of LiveWire’s Louise Shannon.
For new mum, Becky Dagger from Great Sankey, fitting in the training camps around feeding her 15 week-old baby has been a real challenge, but she even managed to squeeze in a feed just before her wave started in the pool – inspiring so many people in the process.
She said: “I’ve always wanted to do a triathlon but never had the confidence.
“I really needed something to aim for to get me active again after having my baby and I’m so glad I did. The coaches and other ladies were so supportive and I can’t wait for the next challenge.”
Natalie Dunabin had been working hard through LiveWire’s Fit to Tackle programme before moving on to the Plodders run group at LiveWire.
Not only has she lost a considerable amount of weight, she has found a real love for an active lifestyle and has big plans for the future, having already signed up to the Go Tri event taking place at Orford Hub in September.
Louise Shannon, health inclusion and engagement officer at LiveWire, said: “Moving forward, there is so much more LiveWire want to offer with Go Tri and these novice courses offer a real unique opportunity to take part in the sports without fear of competition or coming last.
“I was blown away by how much the girls supported each other throughout the course but to see them get each other across that finish line was amazing and we all got a bit emotional.”
For more information about Go Tri, contact Rebecca Worswick on 01925 624996.
