Since starting the women only training days last year in 2017, we have met some incredible women and heard some amazing triumph stories, as well as the training days being highly successful again this year. 

We started the training days again on the 23rd March for 7 weeks at Friary Grange Leisure Centre and it’s been amazing to meet some more women who have benefited from the sessions. 

I had chance to go along to the training sessions a few times and got to chat to some women, here’s what they thought – Kirsty Outhwaite

My response to the GO TRI training in Lichfield has been 100 % positive. I made myself a promise I would do the Cannock GO TRI after I had seen two ladies practicing at David Lloyd last April -they were my inspiration. Consequently, I planned to train, as I had only continued to swim and attend Pilates in my 50 s. I would say menopause had seriously affected my energy. Twelve months on I can honestly say I am a different person, my exercise levels are improving and my self-confidence too. I was responsible for my training with a small support from David Lloyd and one of its members (Lisa completed GO TRI Cannock 2017) Lisa also gave me the Link Friary. Although I only had two sessions before my event in April they gave me the confidence to complete the course. In addition, meeting likeminded people was a bonus. I am planning to enter the Cannock event in July and will think about the new sessions in June.  - Wendy Manton 

There has been some amazing achievements over the last 6 weeks and from last years course. These ladies will carry that with them for the rest of their triathlon experience…from last years course, most of the ladies have gone on to not just do sprint triathlons, but half ironman this year. Achieving at what ever level is amazing...This is why I do what I do  - Sarah Paskin (Head Coach)

This course came at just the right time for me. Having been hopeless at sport at school (apart from race walking that we did once, and I beat everyone!) and told ‘you try too hard, and have no rhythm or coordination’, I started running as a way of dealing with stress about 10 years ago. I’m no Mo Farah but I’m not bad and more importantly it was something I loved doing. However, my running started becoming a chore, I became disheartened as I didn’t seem to be getting any faster and I consequently stopped getting any joy from it. I needed a new challenge. 
Then I saw the GoTri course and decided that was a good way of getting some tips and the best course of action, so I didn’t look a complete twit if I entered a triathlon. I was gutted to miss the first week as I was speaking at a conference so my first week was swimming. I couldn’t see as I took out my contact lenses, so I was squinting the whole time to see what I should be doing or where I should be going. I’d never done drills before and just couldn’t get the hang of them so was concentrating so hard on getting them right that I meandered all over the place. Everyone was very patient though and I was offered plenty of advice -  practice swimming in a straight line, and keep my lenses in. However, it wasn’t all bad. I went away and had pointers on how to improve - swim straight, engage my core song bubble breath. So next time I went to the baths, that’s what I did. And I improved. Last night was the second swim session and I didn’t panic once, I kept going and whilst I’m still not a very beautiful swimmer, I’m so much better than I was. 
And then there was the cycling element. I got lots of advice from the instructor but also from the fellow participants. So I went for a bike ride the next day and got off the biggest chain wheel and moved my legs faster. And went to the gym and had another go on a Wattbike. 
Sarah and Christine who have fielded all our questions, been patient with us and smiled and encouraged us throughout. 
Being able to share experiences with each other, wishing people good luck as they had races booked and getting the lowdown when they returned the next week. 
Knowing now that I CAN do it - I’m doing 2 GoTris in May and then June but I’m very disappointed that I didn’t have more faith in myself and left it too late to register for the sprint tris I had shortlisted so will now have to wait when I really want to do one NOW! 
I want to do the next course too and am excited about trying open water swimming. 
Thank you, Sarah and Christine, - Lisa Stevens

The next course will be a contiunitaion from the first. This will now go through further technique including open water drills in the pool and including to bring their own bikes. 

The ladies are super excited for the next phase and we are too. 

If you, as a club or an event organiser would like to know more how you can help beginners start their pathway in triathlon, then please contact Kirsty Outhwaite, or if you are already planning training sessions, then please let us know so we can support you and share your success stories.