Back in June, we did a spotlight on France Girard in the OAC blog. Today, we are publishing an exciting update from her. With the race season winding down, we will catch-up on a few spotlights in our weekly news to keep you inspired for next season!
France is a retired school principal and Grandmother. I had the pleasure of meeting her at her 1st triathlon in Brockville where I quickly "cleaned-up" her transition zone and gave her some pointers on how to do a triathlon. She then joined Team Triumph and has been hooked ever since!
Here are France's Words of Inspiration:
"Life is made of multiple challenges that you need to overcome, mountains that need to be conquered, sometimes big, sometimes small. Everyone chooses the mountains that they want to climb.
In my case, I have already successfully climbed the mountains called education, family, and career.
In retirement, a new mountain is being offered to me!
On my way I have met a friend/sister, who motivates me every day;
I am with a team, with whom I developed my swimming skills and my cycling stamina.
Now my biggest challenge is the run!
Just like when I reached my previous goals, I know that the view from the top will be amazing.
However, in order to get there, I will need to keep myself well surrounded, dedicated, and I will have to know how to adapt.
In my case, there will always be a new mountain to climb so I can surpass myself!"
France then wrote to me after completing her first 70.3 Triathlon...
"I made it! I climbed one more mountain! The Canadian, 1/2 Iron. The water was great! The temperature not too warm, with a nice breeze! Even the course was not too challenging for my first time.
My team, Chummy, Anne, Yvon, Julia, Linda, Hélène, Monique, Debbie, Sophie, Monique, Marc-André, the S.A.R. and the Team Triumph gang gave me a lot of positive vibes!
Thank you for your encouragement! I'm feeling good after 6 months of training!
Now let us rest, enjoy the view and pick another mountain to climb!"
Congratulations France!! You are an inspiration to us all!!
I love the accountability and the structure of the Virtual 70.3 Half Ironman training program. I don't think I would have gotten this far without the program. The accountability is huge for me!
Deborah Jackman
My coach Kevin Willis is amazing. His swim practices have been a real game-changer for me. A great communicator regardless of your swim level. The whole club is supportive of everything you do. You don't need to be an Ironman to benefit from their programs. 5 stars all around!!! - Denise Pittuck
I just wanted to thank you and your team (Gabi! Brenda! Maggie! Dawn!) for making last weekend's event so amazing. I had tried to do a try-a-tri on my own last summer, and the experience was night and day.
Even though I didn't make every virtual session, I felt so prepared... I knew where to go for information, and I knew I had a team of people (coaches and our beginner tri group!) who were all there to support me.
It was interesting to watch Eric train on his own (without access to the TrainingPeaks workouts and without the weekly meetings to ask questions and learn more about proper form and race-day stuff). When we left on Sunday, he looked at me and was like "we're DEFINITELY doing the training with Julia if we decide to go for the olympic distance, right?".
So glad to have found this club and looking forward to many more triathlons in the near future!!! Tai Teleso