Team Training New England, based in West Hartford, will hold an information session on April 23, 2015, and also encourages potential triathletes to attend a kick-off meeting in mid-May.

Team Training New England coaches and co-owners, (L-R) Lynne Tapper and Janice Cohen. Courtesy photo

By Ronni Newton

Everyone involved with Team Training New England has a busy life, but the coaches want to encourage potential athletes who are skeptical about their ability to do a triathlon to give it a try.

Lynne Tapper and Janice Cohen, West Hartford residents, coaches, and co-owners of Team Training New England, will hold an information session at REI in Blue Back Square on Thursday, April 23, from 6:30-8 p.m., to provide information and allay concerns about multi-sport training.

Potential participants can also find out more information through their website, and at a kick-off meeting on May 13 at the Mandell JCC.

Group training sessions in West Hartford begin on May 27, and are available as an entire series or on a drop-in basis.

According to Team Training New England’s website, the triathlon training group is for “all” women and men, including those who “never in a million years” think they could do a triathlon.

“We’re trying to break down the stereotype people have about triathlons. It’s not all about doing an IronMan. There are very manageable sprint distance races that are the baby steps we like people to start with,” Tapper said. “Plus, there are other kinds of multipart races to consider.”

Tapper and Cohen provide advice about available multi-sport races (triathlons and duathlons), as well as equipment choices, training approaches, and common fears and misconceptions.

They have built a supportive community in the West Hartford area over the past decade, and have encouraged many to take on a new challenge. “We want people to explore new ways to exercise, maybe take that leap they’ve hesitated to in the past, and find a fun group of people to work out with,” said Tapper.

“Our goal is to be your champions, urge you over the hill, to do that extra lap and get you across the finish line. But, first you have to meet us and realize ‘Hey, they’d be great to hang out with.’ We have people who’ve stayed with us for years because it’s a great community.”

This year, Team Training New England has adopted the phrase “everyone deservers a champion” because starting anything new, especially something that you might have doubts about, can be challenging on its own. Tapper and Cohen believe that having a champion to support and guide you can be just the ticket to help a new venture be successful.

For more information about the Thursday night session at REI, 71 Raymond Rd., West Hartford, click here.

For answers to frequently asked questions or other information about the training program, click here.

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