Outspoken Women

2 July 2019 sandspirations 0

If you’re a Stacy Sims fan, then there’s a fantastic opportunity to attend the annual Outspoken Summit presented by Triathlete Magazine, which is a collaboration between Shift Sports and Live Feisty Media. Outspoken is an opportunity for women in triathlon to connect with like-minded women, hear from industry leaders, and […]

Through the Barrier and Across the Line

20 April 2019 sandspirations 0

This is the story of a young athlete, affectionately known as Oozy, from Dubai, United Arab Emirates, and how she broke through some cultural barriers to achieve her dream of competing in a long distance triathlon. In 2015, I met a local cyclist in Dubai.  She was slight, small, and […]

Find Your Why

2 May 2018 sandspirations 0

Every woman has a reason [WHY] she competes and Women For Tri want to know yours! Post a picture with a quote depicting [WHY] you Tri on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram using the hashtag #whywetri and you could be featured in one of their  weekly [WHY] campaigns. Women For Tri’s mission is simple: “To identify and diminish primary […]

Running – Why Warming Up Is Important

6 January 2018 sandspirations 0

I have to admit it, I am a terrible runner, but I am on the way to improvement. I’ve taken running classes and I practice.  Last December,  I raced in my first 21 kilometre race since the RAK 1/2 Marathon in 2015.  I completed the race without enough training but […]

Triathlete Talk: Thank The Plank

28 December 2017 sandspirations 0

In a previous article, I spoke about the importance of strength training to prevent injury.  Let’s look at how developing a strong upper body (core) can help you to be a stronger swimmer and have better posture in the water. During the last decade or so, the importance of having […]

Triathlete Talk: Injury Prevention by Strength Training

11 December 2017 sandspirations 1

Strength training is vital for proper training in order to enhance performance and decrease the risk of injury.  Any triathlete who embarks on a training programme without specific strength training is putting him/herself at risk of injury and decreased ability to generate force in a wide range of motion. In order to realize […]

Lifestyle Weight Management Programme

1 November 2017 sandspirations 0

One of my personal challenges is food. I love food. All types of food.  Seriously, food speaks to me. EAT ME. Especially thick spicy Indian curries with loads of sauce on, and cheese, olives, French bread, you name it, every thing that I am not “supposed to eat” shouts out […]

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INSPIRATIONAL WOMEN – Swimming Across the Channel

22 October 2017 sandspirations 0

On the 2nd of September 2017, British ocean swimmer Deborah Herridge successfully completed a solo swim across the English Channel. During her three years of swimming training, she contracted severe pneumonia, putting her long time ambition at risk.  She spent three months in bed, could hardly walk up a flight […]

Female Cyclists with GRIT

16 October 2017 sandspirations 0

Female cyclists are on their bikes and rolling This week saw the kick-off of the third year of the Urban Ultra Women’s Cycling League, further raising the profile of women’s cycling in the UAE. Aimed at heightening awareness of women’s cycling, achieving more media exposure and ensuring women’s cycling is […]

What is Your Stress Coping Strategy?

27 September 2017 sandspirations 0

How are you coping lately?  Feeling the pressure? All kinds of people experience stress, whether they are based in an office, in the home or on the road.  Do you have a coping strategy? You might have lists, “be looking on the bright side”, goals, inspirational Post-it notes, copious quantities […]

Is Your Brain Fit?

10 September 2017 sandspirations 0

It is often said that having a healthy brain is not only vital to happiness and fulfillment in life, but also vital to success at work. A couple of previous employers of mine were under the impression that being very physically fit was part in parcel of performing well at […]

Sea Swim Stings and Other Nasty Things

31 July 2017 sandspirations 0

Imagine your first moment in the tropics you arrive at sunset to your triathlon and check out the blue lagoon or ocean where the dozing sun paints a pink hue all over… the white sand is turning a greyish-pink colour. You leave your luggage in the hotel, and stroll down […]

Jaws and Open Water Swimming

28 July 2017 sandspirations 0

I have only ever seen small sharks while swimming or snorkelling. I have never had the privilege to see a large predator except while scuba diving. Sadly, my current swimming terrain is almost void of reef fish, never mind predators! For some open ocean swimmers around the world, sharks are […]