Sing it with me, everyone:
“Here’s the story… of a group of ladies…who were training with some very lovely folks. All of them do triathlons, like their buddies…bike, run and swim their strokes.
Here’s the story of Austin Aquatics. Who was busy with a training group of their own. They were a new team.. training all together. Yet they were all alone.
Til the one day when these ladies met the Academy. And they knew that it was much more than a hunch. That these groups must somehow form a family. That’s the way we all became the TriZone/Academy Bunch!!
Austin Aquatics and Sports Academy is proud to offer Tri Zones to the Academy Triathlon Family!!
What started out as a
personalized Tri Zones swim clinic coached by Academy Director, Natasha Van der Merwe, has turned into a full-fledged partnership between the two groups. It’s a unique “marriage” and both groups couldn’t be happier!
Let’s face it. A huge part of training is social. There’s an intangible force behind knowing others are meeting you for a training session and ready to suffer right along with you. Sure, misery and high heart rates love company, but group training is more than that. There are indelible bonds, friendships and lifelong memories that are made when you train with a group for seasons on end.
This is the beauty behind local training group, TriZones. Comprised primarily of women, TriZones Training was founded by the coaches who managed Team Danskin Training in Austin from 2003 until 2007. These coaches started Tri Zones Training in 2003 when team members found themselves hooked on a new lifestyle of fitness and wanted to continue training for triathlons.
The South Austin contingent of TriZoners would meet weekly as a group and each year they would treat themselves to an annual swim clinic to brush up on their skills. Earlier this year, Coach Gina Lardon contacted the Academy about use of the pool. Our own Natasha Van der Merwe agreed to coach an initial eight-week swim clinic. Needless to say, this was the beginning of a wonderful partnership between the two groups. Not only does Coach Natasha continue her weekly private clinic for Tri Zones members, but several of the members have recently joined the Academy as full-fledged triathletes in order to gain access to daily group cycling, strength, swimming and strength workouts.
“It’s a win-win for both groups,” says Tri Zones coach Gina. “We don’t lose our team identity, but we also get access to one of the best training centers and the best coaches in the city.” Athlete Olga Droppa agrees, especially when it comes to the accountability factor. “I love having a huge selection of workout class times because it gives me choices, and yet it also holds me accountable to making sure I make it to specific classes. There’s no doubt that I’m working harder than I have in a long time, especially being around so many new people.”
Work hard, have fun, meet new people and reach new goals. What more can anyone ask for?
That is what it’s all about and that’s what this sport is all about.
#KeepingAustinTriathlonAwesome
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