This summer, Glasgow hosts the 2018 European Championships and elite athletes will travel from all over Europe to compete for podium places, personal bests and for cheers from the Glasgow crowds.
But Glasgow 2018 is not just for Europe’s best; it is an opportunity for everyone in and around Glasgow to come together and not only watch the events across the city (and in Gleneagles) but to join in on the fun.
For Glasgow 2018 have partnered with Triathlon Scotland to bring us TRI in the Park, a fun and full day of activities for the whole family and a chance for you and them to experience any or all of the triathlon disciplines in Strathclyde Park on August 12th.
There will be Triathlons, Aquathlons (swim and run), Duathlons (run, cycle, run) and a Family Relay Triathlon while there will also be Tristar triathlons for children aged 11-14 years old. As part of Triathlon Scotland’s Go Tri series, it promises to open up triathlons to anyone who wishes to try and whether you an experienced triathlon club member or someone contemplating your first triathlon, this is an event for you.
Having regained some confidence and a certain level of fitness, I have signed up for the Open Sprint Triathlon, made up of a 750m swim, 16km cycle and 5km run.
As I write this, I have yet to experience the thrill (or chill) of Open Water Swimming and, if I am honest, I am a little apprehensive. Since my “Can’t Swim, Won’t Swim with Robbie Renwick” blog for the Commonwealth Games, my view on swimming has changed and I have discovered a new found love for the water, in part thanks to my participation in both the Aspire Channel Swim and Swimathon campaigns.
Learning to swim freestyle/front crawl and being able to swim 2.5km has given me the confidence (a fool’s confidence, possibly) to sign up for the Great Scottish 2 Mile Swim in September
But first, I have TRI in the Park and the Wee Beastie Triathlon (in and around Loch Lomond) within two weeks of each other and I need to make the transition (sorry for the pun) to Open Water Swimming and soon.
So, when Triathlon Scotland got in touch and told me about their Beginners Open Water Swimming Sessions for Triathlon at Pinkston Watersports, I signed up for the first session on the evening of Friday 13th (hopefully that is not an ominous portent) and there is another on the afternoon of Sunday 22nd July
All you need is a swimming costume (wetsuit if you have one), goggles, a swimcap and a towel. As this is a beginner’s session, you only have to be able to swim 50 metres, so get signed up if this hot weather is tempting you to cool off in your local watering hole. You’ll learn how to have fun, be safe and even how to put on a wetsuit (anyone else as worried about this as I am?).
Places are very limited and at only £8.00 per session, they are incredible value, so come and join me both at Pinkston and at TRI in the Park on August 12th