Are you new to Triathlon?

SCTA offers a program for triathlon newbies, Nu2Tri, which is a progressive sequence of instruction and workouts, that build over the 4-month period, February through May. Coaching sessions and clinics will provide skill instruction and advice for all levels, not just beginner levels. We recognize that each new athlete comes to the program with different strengths and experiences. Coach Ken Dobberpuhl is the Nu2Tri “General Manager and Head Coach’, Coach Rod Heskett is the Nu2Tri and Club Running Coach, and Joanne Thompson is the Nu2Tri Ride Coach. We are excited to have these skilled coaches working with our new athletes, and their bios can be found on this website, if you’re interested.
In return for the 4-month training program, SCTA asks participants for an additional $50 with the annual membership fee. This will help fund our coaches, incentives, BROWNIE fixes, and event costs. We also ask three things of each new athlete:

Be ready to give the program your time. To finish an event with three sports, it requires quite a bit of training. We ask that you be able to workout in each of the three sports, two times a week. That’s six workouts (about 6 hours per week)…but often, two can be done on the same day. And about two or three times each month, Nu2Tri will ask for your participation at a Saturday or Sunday morning clinic. These coached sessions will provide important information, instruction and coaching. In addition to these clinics, the club will offer Saturday morning bike rides for novices, as well as experienced cyclists.

***Here is a preliminary list of Nu2Tri clinic dates - please mark them on the calendar so you can be sure to attend (1/31 is the only “must attend” clinic – a bike safety session): 2/7/09 (run clinic), 2/8/09 (swim clinic), 2/21/09 (coached Nu2Tri ride and clinic), 3/8/09 (swim clinic), 3/21/09 (coached Nu2Tri ride and clinic) , 4/5/09 (swim clinic – we are aware this is Palm Sunday), 4/18/09 (coached Nu2Tri ride and clinic), 4/26/09 (open water swim clinic) , 5/2 (coached Nu2Tri ride and clinic) and the “graduation sprint triathlon” (end of the program) is tentatively set for Saturday, 5/16/09.***

Know how to swim, or be in the process of taking lessons. Our coach is a great swim instructor, but there will not be enough time to teach individuals from scratch! Nu2Tri does have a mentor who can provide individual swim lessons at Simpkins Aquatic Center. Contact Jane O'Connor at (831) 239-1398.
Think about your bike. A sprint triathlon can be completed on a mountain bike, but a mountain bike will be slower than a road bike on the club rides, and it will slow you down if you want to step up to an Olympic or longer distance event later. But, if you are thinking of buying a new bike, you may want to wait until January/February and see what the mentors advise, or what discounts the club receives from local bike stores.

Oh, the fun we'll have! But you must be an SCTA member to participate!

Nu2Tri Program will be closed after Friday, 1/31/2009. Please register before that date….first clinic is a Bike Safety Clinic on Saturday, 1/31, 9 AM at Cabrillo College

The Nitty Gritty

Nu2Tri Program will be closed after Friday, 1/31/2009. Please register before that date….first clinic is a Bike Safety Clinic on Saturday, 1/31, 9 AM at Cabrillo College

Introductory Workshop, Tuesday, January 27, 2009 at 6pm, Bike Station Aptos
8061 Aptos Street
Aptos, CA 95003
Across the street from Starbucks
If you've signed up for Nu2Tri, don't miss this meeting!

The introductory workshop on January 27 at 7:00 PM, will set out the plan, present the first month’s schedule, and describe what can be expected in the upcoming months. After that, Nu2Tri participants will receive each month’s schedule at the end of the preceding month.

Besides the regular weekend clinics, and Saturday rides, each Monday night, Coach Rod Heskett will coach a track workout at Soquel High School. These workouts are fun and tailor-made to each individual’s skill level. As with the bike and swim workouts, these run sessions are progressive and culminate with the ability to successfully finish that sport’s portion of a sprint triathlon. These track workouts are free through May for our Nu2Tri athletes. Other club members pay $5 each week. After May, Coach Rod will continue to coach all club members towards an Olympic Triathlon in the Fall.

Nu2Tri athletes are also encouraged to participate in the regular club workouts also. SCTA hosts weekly spin classes and core workouts during this time. The club coaches of these sessions design workouts for the beginner through the advanced, so everyone who comes will definitely benefit!

Of course, we realize that other commitments in life can keep participants from certain workouts, so don’t fret about attending everything! Usually training information missed in a workout can be given through an email request or at a later workout. But, as you probably know, success is achieved through dedication and effort, so we offer incentive rewards at the end of each month based on “hanging in there”! Nu2Tri athletes will complete the season with, not only a triathlon medal, but 3 or 4 other great prizes!
We’re really looking forward to meeting you!

Lynn Olavarri-Schmidt
Coach Ken
Joanne Thompson
Coach Rod
Sherri Goodman