Page 37 - Tropic Magazine Issue 37

TROPIC • COVER STORY

Athletic edge

TriMotivate Performance Triathlon Coaching
helps athletes improve their racing in a
supportive atmosphere.

Cycling is a technical sport and when you add swimming and
running to the mix, there are plenty of tips that can assist Renee’s top tips for cycling success
athletes in everything from changeovers to their endurance. 1 The bike must fit. Being comfortable is #1 priority.
TriMotivate is the best in the business, offering both squad-
based training and individual programs. Head Coach Renee 2 Improve road handling. Practice cornering, braking
Kerr told Tropic it’s open to beginners through to seasoned and gearing.
athletes. “Our mission is to treat every athlete as an individual,
not a number,” she said. “Personalised programs are based on 3 Ride hills! They are your best friend.
each athlete’s fitness, commitments and goals.”
Renee’s squad is also known for its club spirit, where fellow 4 Find a good coach. Break bad habits and fine-tune
athletes support each another. “We have a motivating team energy efficiency.
environment which achieves real results,” she said. “Our athletes
are kept accountable and we all celebrate individual successes.” 5 Be safe. Wear fluoro, don’t listen to music
TriMotivate athlete Joe La Spina said the support has led to him and be reactive.
smashing personal best times. “I thoroughly enjoy the training
which I put down to Renee’s customised plan, coupled with the
2 great team spirit,” he said. “They’re a great bunch, where helping
each other improve is top priority.” MORE: trimotivate.com.au

1. Credit: Reef to Reef
2. TriMotivate

Delivering

wellbeing “Prior to Cardiac Challenge I hadn’t done

anything fitness-wise for about 20 years
It’s arguably the biggest-hitting but it’s completely changed my life,”
he said.
fundraising event in the Far
North, but the QSuper Cardiac
Challenge has untold other
community benefits. I’ve met people who I now
count among my best
In the 16 years the Cardiac Challenge
has been held, thousands of riders from friends
around the region, state, country and Tony Quinn
even overseas have converged on Far Participant
North Queensland to endure three days
of hills, heat and happiness. “It’s like a reunion every year when we
Yes, happiness. ride to Cooktown together. I’ve since gone
Participants report that the Cardiac on to do Three Peaks, Cairns to Karumba,
Challenge has become their other family. IRONMAN and I don’t think I would have
Many have met on the ride and developed attempted any of those things if not for
life-long friendships outside cycling and Cardiac Challenge.”
fundraising. Others say it has changed Not only does the event change the Cairns Hospital. The single biggest ticket
their attitude towards health and fitness. lives of participants but also lives in the item was contributing to the second
Numerous participants take on the three- broader community. With almost $5 cardiac catheter laboratory. This facility
day event as a personal challenge. million contributed to cardiac services and associated electrophysiology cardiac
But they quickly catch the bug, become by organising charity the Far North services mean patients no longer need to
daily cyclists and then go on to upgrade Queensland Hospital Foundation, travel away from home for this
their bicycles and take part in other results are tangible. vital service.
cycling events. Participant Tony Quinn Every year, the Foundation buys
said it’s made a huge difference to his life equipment for cardiology, in close MORE: cardiacchallenge.com.au
both health-wise and socially. consultation with doctors and nurses of

37 • tropicnow.com.au