2) What are the SVTC club sponsored workouts?

3) Can I try out a workout before joining SVTC?

5) Do I have to attend every workout after I join?

6) What are some recommendations for masters (pool) swimming?

7) How can I gain open water experience?

8) Where can I find a training plan or program?

NTTS stands for SVTC's 'New to the Sport' workouts. This program runs from the end of February through August. It is a coached program targeted for beginners in the sport. In that it is coached you will not find yourself stranded on your first bike ride. Workouts are held Saturday mornings at various locations. Generally the workout will include a bike ride, but will often include runs, transition training and maybe even a lake swim. It's recommended you have aroad bike, but check with the coach to be sure. Some of the emphasis will be on safety - how to ride safely in a group and in a race. Many of the people in this program target the end of summer Tri for Fun or Tri for Real races as their first triathlon. You can get more information in the SVTC website, or talk directly to the coach or other club members.

What are the SVTC club sponsored workouts?

Current SVTC sponsored workouts are:

1. NTTS, new to the sport workouts are held from the end of February through August. These are held Saturday mornings and are primarily coached rides with a lot of other things thrown in.

2. Tuesday Track. This is a coached track workout on Tuesday evenings that goes throughout the year. Off season workouts tend to be geared more towards strength and conditioning and in season will have various interval training to build your running speed. This workout is aimed at all abilities; don't feel intimidated when you first come. In the summer months track alternates between the De Anza College track and trails at Rancho San Antonio.

3. Saturday morning rides ("Warren's Ride") Locations vary but often leave from Cupertino Bike shop going north or from Almaden lake going south. This ride is no sweep (meaning people might not wait for you if you are behind or have a flat - but they probably will) and the group usually breaks up into different length rides. These rides go from February through September.

4. Thursday evening rides ("Dave's Ride") March through August leave at 6:15 from the Homestead High School (or nearby) area. There are several 20-25 mile courses we do in the Los Altos Hills area or out to Alpine road.

5. Open water swims: the dates and locations vary, but we do these once or twice a month except in the winter months.

6. Podium swim program. This is a fee extra masters style swim at Fremont High School on Wednesday nights. It is arranged specifically for SVTC.

Can I try out a workout before joining SVTC??

Prospective members are encouraged to try out a SVTC workout. We ask that you print out and sign a liability waiver to give to the coach or ride leader. Most workouts are listed in the club webside calendar, but please email one of the club officiers if you need more details.

Are there other club workouts?

On a given weekend you are likely to see other club members running at Rancho San Antonio or on the Los Gatos Creek Trail, or biking in the hills. The best way to drum up people to work out with is to post a message on the Yahoo SVTC-Discussion group. From time to time people will post their workouts there. It takes a bit of patience to meet up with people who are doing similar workouts as you but keep at it; there are 400-500 people in this club.

Do I have to attend every workout after I join?

Only if you want to and are able to do so. Attendance at every workout is not mandatory. Attend the workouts that benefit you and fit into your schedule. The amount of training depends entirely on your own personal goals and of course available time. The most important thing you can do is to develop a regular training programand try to stick with it. No need to overdo it, especially at the start.

What are some recommendations for masters (pool) swimming?

Most people will want to find a convenient pool for their swimming workouts. There are many masters programs at pools scattered around the Silicon Valley area. SVTC runs a once a week tri-specific masters program at the Fremont High School Pool in Sunnyvale. Ask around to see what other people are doing. You might also check the following web sites:

If you are new to swimming or would like more instruction there is a SVTC program 'Introduction to Masters' held periodically at Fremont High School (check with swim program coach). There is a similar program at the Santa Clara Swim Center:

Santa Clara Swim Club

There is also a city run noon lap swim at the Santa Clara Swim Center on weekdays.

Santa Clara Parks and Recreation Department

How can I gain open water experience?

SVTC has an open water swimming program with swims held once to twice a month at various locations, both lakes and ocean. Wetsuits are generally recommended. Newcomers or anyone timid about these swims can ask for help or advise before swimming. There is no required distance to swim but you should be able to swim continuously for 30 minutes.

During summer months Almaden Lake is open for open water swims on Wednesday evenings, wetsuit required. Check with the Almaden Lake park rangers for times.

Some of us do non club swims at Redwood Shores. This salt water lagoon has the advantage of being calm and much warmer than bay or ocean waters.

Try some local open water races - Catfish and Splash & Dash raced in Stevens Creek Reservoir and a number of open water races sanctioned by U. S. Masters Swimming.

Always observe safety precautions when swimming in open water. Swimming alone is not advised.

Where can I find a training plan or program?

SVTC does not have a program that will hold your hand through your first race. Nevertheless, if you are a beginner and regularly attend the NTTS workouts you will learn enough to train for and complete a sprint triathlon by the end of the summer.

In the Member Perks page of the SVTC web site there are club training plans for sprint, olympic and half ironman races. These will give you an idea of a "typical" workout volume and also some ideas on training periodization where you build up and recover over intervals of four weeks (in this case).

Coaches, web based workout plans and even books can help you along. There is a wealth of information to be gained from just talking to club members.

Does the club hold training clinics?

We do try to hold several clinics each year but these are based on member interest, the availability of coaches and our yearly budget. Towards the end or the year several local triathlon and fitness coaches offer discounted clinics for SVTC. Some examples are off season hard core strength training classes and spin workouts. Most years we put together several one day workshops on a variety of topics. Several weeks before Tricalifornia's Wildflower races we have a Wildflower training weekend where we go down to Lake San Antonio and test out parts of the triathlon course. If there is something you would like the club to do please talk to the board members or go ahead and help set it up yourself.

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