threadwalker

So one of the things that has been forming in the back of my mind is forming a triathalon club in MY area for the late night work out group who can't go to work-outs straight after work or who don't live in an area where there's an active tri-club. I live in the suburbs and do homework w/ kids at night, so I need something that works with my schedule that won't detract from my family life. I suspect I'm not the only one out there with this schedule. In fact, I'm betting that if there was such a club, there are more working parents who'd do triathalons.

However, I want to do it well, not haphazardly. I want it to work and be a "real" club with coaching, training and support for members, not just a big "group hugs all around and let's run 4 miles" kind of thing. My inner cult leader has been percolating on stuff as I read, is listening to my current cycling buddies, and is collecting data. I feel a plan metamorphisizing in the back of my brain. This is kind of how the first Collegium I did erupted in less than 6 weeks as fully planned and ready to roll. My brain had been working on it for years and then suddenly someone gave me the green-light to do it and I hit the pavement at full speed with my "powers for good" fully focused on the goal.

Now the inner creative self is churning on a triathalon club and it's been fed by Tuesday night's See Jane Tri training kick-off. The powers for good are percolating...

The See Jane Tri kick-off was not what I expected. I expected a triathalon orientation where they discuss the equipment you need to do a triathalon and then pitch their own store products. Instead it was a kick-off for the See Jane Tri training group which is a 12-week training session for women and by women. They will take you from ground zero and have you ready for a triathalon in 12-weeks. In the 6-8 years that they've been doing this, they've never had anyone fail to finish a tri.

I'm glad I made the mistake and attended this. I met coaches who are USAT certified. They talked about how they got into doing Tris and the kind of training they provide. They talked about how they both help newcomers get started and how they provide challenge for those who want to be competitive. I think the idea of a supportive all-women training group is very empowering and being able to freely talk about tampons and dealing with women-issues would be awesome. I know how supportive that can be from my all-girl high school days and how that even while be supportive, those who want to compete will be able to do so without necessarily being sore winners/losers. It was a fabulous meeting and if I lived in the area, I would have plunked down my money and signed up.

But I didn't. My inner cult-leader, however, started getting excited. I could do that. I could become a coach and start a tri-club that way. Would it be an all-women group? no idea. Too soon to tell. I could find a local running or bike-shop to support/sponsor it. I KNOW that I could do get certified and pull this together. At See Jane Tri there was a head coach with three assistant coaches for each speciality. I think that's a great model. I have the drive and motivation and interest in doing that and I've never been intimidated by long term plans... heck, it took me 7 fucking years of torture and stress and drama to get my BS in engineering... I've already shown myself I have the mettle to do this regardless of how long or what hurdles I need to jump if it's what I want.

So... next steps:

Short term:

Join USA triathalon in a few paychecks

Research becoming a coach. (I assume there are classes and workshops and tests. I expect that this could take years and require some sort of fitness seminar or college work. I bet there is more than one path, though.)

Join See Jane Tri this summer when there is no homework impact at home.

Join up Aline's newbie cycling club

Register for the triathalons I have ear-marked (as soon as registration opens).

I've already started figuring out what next years tri's are going to be at www.trifind.com:

Emeryville mini-tri... I think I might use this as an event I pitch to my WW group each year and either enter it with them or show up and support/cheer.

Diabloman (go up mt Diablo!)- I don't think it's a sanctioned race, but it's in my backyard and the bragging rights to say I biked and ran up Mt Diablo would be awesome.

Auburn Olympic - the Coach at See Jane Tri said that in her opinion it was one of the toughest olympics... My brain promptly latched onto it as a worthy challenge. Apparently my eyes started glowing or I started to vibrate or something because the coach noticed and laughed and said I better train for hills.

Vineman - Half Ironman - this is a wish-list item. It's a massively challenging race and I need to see where I am fitness-wise in December.
Olympic Tri at Pacific Grove

Susan G. Komen 5k Run - breast cancer fundraiser

Fall Sprint in Napa if it does not conflict w/ Oct Crown.

I may have to swap out Vineman for an Olympic, but as long as I'm not injured or life doesn't derail me (which happens), I'm going to train up for it starting next winter as though it's a done-deal.

And I may need to add a duathalon or cycling event this year to work on my cycling skills and bike racing ability.

Maybe I can get my WW group to come out and cheer me on this year. I already know that having a cheering section at the transition zone is going to be very inspirational and help shake off lead-legs. Maybe I need to start bribing a rooting/cheering section: I will host a bbq and games in return for those who are willing to stand at the tops of hills to scream at me to keep moving and speed up.