Teresa Harman – Pilates and Fitness instructor, Level 3 Triathlon Coach
I hold the Level 3 British Triathlon Coaching qualification, coaching in all the triathlon disciplines. My background is as a swimming and fitness instructor.
I completed an ASA Teacher Swimming Certificate back in 1999 when my children were in the Braintree & Bocking Swimming Club so that I could help out with Galas and with swimming lessons at the then Riverside Pool in Braintree teaching children and adults alike. I had also always enjoyed taking part in studio classes as a means of keeping fit, so when attending a Fitness Weekend I decided I would go away and see if I could become a teacher myself. I qualified with a YMCA Exercise to Music Certificate in 2000 and then went on to gain certificates in Speedo’s Shallow and Deep Aqua in August 2000 which allowed me to teach aqua classes to a vast amount of people. From here I branched out to learn Pilates since I realised that stretching was an integral part of staying healthy and flexible and I completed a Modern Pilates Mat Work Stage 1 certificate in January 2003. I discovered the joy of spinning classes so embarked on a Body Training System (BTS) to teach RPM and gained this certificate in 2003, along with a certificate from the National Studio Cycling Register, a company owned by a fellow triathlete, Rick Kiddle and later developed this obtaining his Blue Jersey Certificate for Heart Zones training.
I raced my first sprint triathlon in 1994 and continued to race club events. In 2007 my husband Mark and I started a triathlon club, Born2Tri. I began coaching our athletes and progressed my coaching training, finally in December 2009 I gained my Level 3 certificate. I continue to develop my professional competence attending conferences and seminars across the country to gain further experience and try to develop the sport to a wider audience. I have recently obtained a Nutritionist in Weight Management qualification and am studying Sports Nutrition.
Since our relocation to North Norfolk we have now launched another Triathlon club, TriHarman-Norfolk to develop further the sport in this area.
As an athlete I continue to enjoy racing, achieving good results in club level events, but in 2013 I took on the challenge of Ironman Austria. This was to challenge my athletic ability but also to understand better what athletes need to race at this level.
In addition to coaching groups I support a number of individuals to achieve their personal triathlon challenges, many seeking that illusive Ironman finish.