Beginning on April 11th, Team Danskin Training will begin helping Austin women to achieve their goal of completing a triathlon. Team Danskin Training will offer three teams in the Austin area this year: one in north Austin, south Austin and another one in the Cedar Park/Round Rock area.   This training program welcomes all abilities and features a level for beginners and for more experienced triathletes.

This eight-week  training program will meet two times per week, beginning on April 11th leading up to the Austin Danskin Triathlon on June 10th.  All three groups will meet on Wednesdays from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. and Saturdays from 7:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. for  workouts. Team members receive 17 coached workouts, including four at the race site, as well as a training schedule with daily workout plans for the entire eight weeks. Team members receive a training log, moisture-wicking shirt, water bottle, swim cap, team transition area on race day and a team post-race tent. The coaches instruct the team members on important training and racing skills like open water swim techniques, how to handle the transition between race segments, how to change a flat bicycle tire, how to select proper running shoes, proper nutrition while training and stretching techniques.

Team Danskin Training utilizes Heart Zone Training – a concept developed by Sally Edwards, the Danskin national spokesperson and author of Heart Zone Training and The Complete Book of Triathlons. Participants learn to use a heart rate monitor and how to apply predetermined training zones to the building blocks of triathlon training – speed work, strength work, steady state work, and recovery.

“Every year I’m wonderfully inspired by the women who join our team,” said  Tracy Nelson one of the coaches.  “I am always amazed at the metamorphosis that occurs during the eight-week period.”

Many past participants have started Team Danskin Training doubting their ability to actually complete the race; however they have ended up finishing it successfully and many become eager to tackle their next triathlon.  Others have found that carving out the time to join the program and discovering a healthier lifestyle has brought much-needed balance to their everyday schedule.

 “Danskin for me was about the training to prepare for the race, the support of so many wonderful coaches and trainers and fellow athletes, stretching to attain a goal that seemed so far away when I started and finally the event itself -- the incredible experience of joining with 3300 other women to complete something really difficult physically and mentally on a glorious hot summer morning in Austin. I know I’ll never be the same,” said Janet Lea, a 2005 team member.

This is the sixth year for Austin’s Team Danskin Training. Last year, the team had more than 250 participants.

This year will mark the 18th season that Danskin has sponsored this national sprint triathlon series, the largest and longest-running multi-sport series in the world.  This year also marks the 17th consecutive year supporting the fight against breast cancer.  Danskin donates 10 percent  of all entry fees to the Series’ Official Charity, The Breast Cancer Research Foundation.  Support is also provided to National Association of Team Survivor, which provides free exercise and health education program for women with a past or present diagnosis of cancer.  Each race features (approximately) a ½ mile swim, 12 mile bike ride and a 3 mile run.  Over 20,000 women participate each year in all 8 races.

For more information, call Tracy Nelson at 512-331-4686 or email her coachtracy@jillbnimble.com