Team Danskin Training, an 8 week training program beginning April 17th, will help Austin women of all shapes, ages, and sizes achieve their goal of completing the Danskin triathlon.

On April 17, 2004, Team Danskin Training will begin helping Austin women of all shapes, ages, and sizes achieve their goal of completing a triathlon. Due to unprecedented growth, Team Danskin will offer two teams this year - one in north Austin and one in south Austin. This training program welcomes all abilities and features two levels: Level I is for beginners and Level II is for returning athletes who are ready to take their training to the next step.

Team Danskin Training is the Official Danskin training program in Austin. It was designed by Sally Edwards, the Danskin National Spokeswoman, and Annemieke Hiemstra, the National Team Danskin Head Coach. "Team Danskin Training is for those women who want to join together to get fit and have fun training for a triathlon", says south Austin head coach Gina Lardon.

This 8-week official training program will meet two times per week, beginning on April 17th leading up to the Austin Danskin Race date of June 13. Both the north and south teams will meet on Wednesdays from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. and Saturdays from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. for coached workouts led by nationally certified local Heart Zones Danskin Triathlon Coaches. 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 year's subscription to the Heart Zones e-newsletter, a Heart Zones Triathlon Log, moisture-wicking t-shirt, water bottle, swim cap, team transition area on race day, and a team post-race tent.

Team Danskin Training utilizes Heart Zone Training – a concept developed by Sally Edwards, the Danskin national spokesperson and author of Heart Rate Monitor Guidebook and Triathlons for Women. 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.

Gina Lardon is the head coach for South Austin Team Danskin Training. Gina is a Heart Zones Certified Triathlon Coach, Yellow Jersey Master Trainer, teaches Heart Zones Cycling at The Hills Fitness and has over 20 years experience in fitness training. She is also an ACE-certified personal trainer, has completed dozens of triathlons and is a seven-time Danskin finisher. Gina has been the head coach of Team Danskin for two years. She has coached at Camp Danskin for the past 2 years, served as a volunteer on the Danskin-Austin race committee and a past coordinator of triathlon mentor-mentee programs. Gina and Tracy Nelson, head coach for North Austin Team Danskin, continued their Heart Zones coaching with Tri Zones Training, offering triathlon training to dozens of women throughout the summer and fall.

Tracy Nelson is the head coach for North Austin Team Danskin Training. Tracy was the Assistant Coach for Team Danskin in 2003, and is a Heart Zones Certified Triathlon Coach with a Blue Jersey. She completed her first Danskin in 1997 and has been coaching and mentoring beginner triathletes for three years. Tracy and Gina are the co-coaches for Tri Zones Training. Tracy is on the Danskin-Austin race committee and is the author of the "Danskin Austin This Week" e-newsletter. Tracy is currently on the board of Austin Triathletes, the fifth largest triathlon club in the nation. Tracy was recently awarded “Mentor of the Year” by the Austin Triathletes.

The Danskin Women’s Triathlon is celebrating its 11th year in Austin. It is a unique event that challenges women both mentally and physically as they swim, bike and run together in support of each other and breast cancer research. The Danskin series is a charity event that benefits The Breast Cancer Research Foundation. Last year, the Austin race drew 2,800 participants, making it the largest triathlon in the state of Texas.

For more information about Team Danskin Training, contact Gina Lardon, 512-288-3744 or email at gina@teamdanskinaustin.com, or Tracy Nelson, 512-331-4686, tdn@teamdanskinaustin.com, or you may reach both at coaches@teamdanskinaustin.com. For more information about the program, visit www.teamdanskinaustin.com.


CONTACT:
Gina Lardon
gina@teamdanskinaustin.com, 512-288-3744
Tracy Nelson
tdn@teamdanskinaustin.com, 512-331-4686
www.teamdanskinaustin.com