There was something special about T100 London this year. The atmosphere felt electric, charged with the spirit of the Women in Tri community. Everywhere you looked, there were friendly faces, encouraging words, and a shared determination to make the weekend one to remember.
"I'm sorry, I'm going to have a swim coaching session with the mermaid herself, Lucy Charles-Barclay?!"
The T100 Triathlon tour rolled into London this weekend for the second year, but my experience of this event started a couple of weeks ago when I was privileged to attend a media day with T100 and Lucy Charles-Barclay.
A small group of us gathered at the London Aquatics Centre (an incredible venue on any day!) where Lucy put us through our paces with lots of drills and open water practice (including backstroking around buoys - which despite Lucy's best efforts, will never be in my swim arsenal!). Turns out, even just swimming in front of the sport's best swimmer can make you swim faster!
We then headed to the Lee Valley Velopark for a transition challenge, where we competed against each other for the fastest transition time. I would share the results here, but safe to say, a battle with the heel of my trainer meant I didn't fare too well...
Who Are Women in Tri and What Do They Stand For?
This day was made possible by the incredible organisation Women in Tri, a community I'm very proud to be a part of.
Women in Tri have built a fantastic relationship with race organisers - including T100 - in their mission to open doors for more women to swim, bike, run.
Their aim is to break down barriers and bring more women to swim, bike, run and triathlons across the UK. Advocates for change, they support brands, race organisers and governing bodies to drive real change and make the sport more accessible to women of all ages and backgrounds. And nowhere was this more evident than in London for the T100 weekend.
The event included female-only waves, modesty changing facilities, large swim caps and a visible Women in Tri presence across the whole weekend - including a dedicated cheer zone out on the run course.
How Women Lit Up the T100 London Course
For what has historically been a male-dominated sport, at the T100 triathlon in London, there were women everywhere you looked and the vibes were immaculate.
From helping each other set up in transition, borrowing bits of kit, calming last-minute panics, the cheer station being the loudest and proudest place to be - women really did make their presence known.
T100 London Pro Race
What also struck me was the huge support that the women’s professional race received. With a deep British female field, the energy in the crowd with the fans supporting their home favourites was electric, and could there have been a more apt ending than Lucy Charles-Barclay taking the win in front of a home crowd?!
I’m sure I certainly wasn’t the only person who came away from watching the pro races feeling inspired to channel their grit and determination for my own race.
Women In Tri at T100 London
Incredibly, Women in Tri had over 100 women taking part across the T100 weekend, including over 40 doing their first ever triathlon!
The emotion after the races was palpable; we had everything from first time triathletes to podium finishers. The sheer love, support and joy was clear to see across the vast Excel arena.
What Are the Best Tips for Women Starting Triathlon?
The Women In Tri community is so supportive, no matter your level of triathlon experience. And so, I asked the community for some top tips for any women wanting to get started in triathlon or racing for the first time and here were some of the responses...
It’s okay not to be okay – pause, breathe, reset, move and repeat if you need to. Your race might not go as planned but keep pushing through, trust the process and remind yourself this will end.
Have a friend or family member with you on the day to help carry stuff and support with nerves.
I think what has helped me most is training with others. Swimming especially but also cycling and running. Training on my own was a big mental battle getting out the door – meeting others is easier to do this.
Having a mentor with Women in Tri has been amazing. And 100% join WiT!
Surround yourself with people that get it. It’s sometimes hard to have a chat with friends and family that don’t share the same passion or can relate. Those that do provide the most invaluable support when you’re at your highs and more importantly at your lows of training - because you will have them!!
Say yes to community events - the Women in Tri open water swim sessions were amazing for me.
Enjoy the journey and don’t stress about the bad days - no rain no flowers.
From a first time swimmer who started lessons in April this year. Just keep swimming. I swam daily. Sometimes twice a day and I was still terrible at swimming early July. I lived in doubt daily. I dreamt swimming. When I felt some improvement, I was still doubtful about completing my sprint. I committed to T100 and this was literally do or die for me. So I put a smile on and kept swimming.
Boast about it at work on Monday morning after the triathlon is a must!
And our number one tip? Join the Women in Tri community of course!
