Anticipation is building with Triathlon Pink Brisbane only days away. The event has long been a stalwart on the triathlon calendar, bringing first timers and seasoned campaigners together for a special cause.
For Carina Leagues Triathlon Club, they will have 5 first timers racing at the event, thanks to a 4-week initiative that they implemented ‘The Beginner to Triathlon Pink’ which was designed to open the doors of triathlon to women who’d never raced before, by creating a space that felt welcoming, supportive, and genuinely fun.
Regan Farell fell in love with the sport back in 2013 and has been a member with Carina Leagues ever since but only got involved in the women’s program last year.
“Four years ago we were given a grant for women in sport and at that time the program supported a few women by giving them free training and covering their race entry and that’s how it all sort of kicked off,” she explained.
The program offers weekly coaching sessions covering swim, bike, and run, along with a dedicated transition session and a course familiarisation session. Keeping it small, allowed for personalised mentoring and to create an environment that was inclusive rather than intimidating. In fact, the program’s reputation proceeds itself within the triathlon community.
“I often have women coming up to me asking when the next program will run and how they can get involved,” Regan recounted.
With an underlying passion for women’s sport, Regan naturally gravitated to the club’s initiative and the importance of breaking down the stigma associated with triathlon.
“I’m very passionate about women in sport generally and the fact that you also have entry level distances really makes [triathlon] achievable for a lot of women.”
“Our program is really designed around helping build confidence in women because that’s one of the biggest things as women, sometimes we just need that encouragement to come and have a go and you actually can do it.”
“We also, of course, teach all the basic skills to try to get women feeling confident.”
Regan understands firsthand the juggling act of sport, work and being a mum with four kids of her own.
“I’ve had four kids in under five years which is a little crazy. And I’m also a nurse so I really understand the demands of women and trying to prioritise yourself.”
“I understand how scary and nerve wracking it can be to turn up to training or let alone compete in your first triathlon,” she said.
And she endeavours to impart her wisdom and experience onto those in the program, to encourage them to stick with the sport by not focusing on finish times but instead concentrating on progression, often reminiscing on the times ‘she drank half the pool’ before she learnt how to properly swim.
“For me, it’s [triathlon] an emphasis on fun and fitness. When I turn up to a race, I do as much training as life has allowed and I just try to enjoy. I’m happy to be there.”
“I’m not the fastest, but it’s enough, it’s just keeping some level of fitness, and it gives you the motivation to keep turning up and training as well.”
One key part about the women’s program at Carina is ensuring that the training is achievable and works around their lifestyles with a couple of added extras of course.
“We really try to make sure it’s flexible. Other than fitness it’s about the friendships that are made. We have so much fun. There’s lots of smiles, there’s lots of laughs. And that’s what makes these women keep coming back.”
With the program coming to a close at the end of this week, Regan is filled with excitement to see how the women have progressed since commencing their triathlon journey.
“We’re in the fourth week of the program now and to see the confidence being built, in the women it’s really nice to see. I can’t wait to see them actually do the triathlon on Sunday and how good they’re going to feel after having achieved these goals because we’ve got a range of women competing for the first time.”
With plenty of participants preparing to hit the course at Triathlon Pink Brisbane, the club is gearing up to celebrate on the sidelines while competing as well – making sure all angles are covered.
“It means so much and we’ll have quite a lot of other members from the club just coming down to support.
“I’m going to be so excited to see one particular athlete who’s a bit more nervous about the swim to hop out of the pool and also just to see their smiles on their faces when they’re gotten through each leg and then the finish.”
For anybody thinking about getting into triathlon the advice is easy “just go out there and give it a go” there’s still a couple of spots remaining for Triathlon Pink Brisbane so make sure to secure your registration now.
