Are you new to Triathlon?
sign ups occur in January of each year for the winter-spring program
Introducing Nu2Tri 2012
SCTA offers a program for triathlon newbies, Nu2Tri, which is a progressive sequence of instruction and workouts, that build over a 4-month period, January through April. 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. Josh Bjornstad is the Nu2Tri head coach, Rod Heskett is the Nu2Tri running coach, Terri Schneider is the Nu2Tri spin coach, and Jane O’Connor is the Nu2Tri swim coach. We are excited to have these skilled coaches working with our new athletes, and their bios can be found on this website.
In return for the 4-month training program, SCTA asks participants for $200 which includes an annual membership. This will help fund our coaches, incentives, and event costs. We also ask three things of each new athlete:
- Time Commitment:
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)…and 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.Additional Training Opportunities:
The club will offer Saturday morning bike rides for novices, as well as experienced cyclists.
Wednesday nights, Coach Rod Heskett will coach a run workout at various locations around the county. 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 workouts are free through April for our Nu2Tri athletes. Other club members pay a small monthly fee. After April, Coach Rod will continue to coach all club members towards an Olympic Triathlon in the Fall (at the same small monthly fee). To see more about Coach Rod’s training, you can visit his website at http://www.santacruzrunning.com/SantaCruzRunning/Rod_Heskett.html.
- Schedule:
Here is an example of the first few weeks of 2012:JANUARY 2012
17 (Tues) Introductory Meeting at Spokesman 7 PM
21 (Sat) 8:30 AM CLINIC – Mandatory Bike Safety & Skills for ALL Nu2Tri- locaton TBD
24 & 25 (Tue,Wed) Newbie Nu2Tri Spin Workouts
28 (Sat) 8:30 Coached bike ride #1 (on the road)
29 (Sun) 9 AM Swim CLINIC at Harbor High School
The schedule will continue through to the final Graduation Triathlon event, Saturday, April 15th, 2012. - Basic Skill Levels: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! And, you must be an SCTA member to participate!
Once you register, you’ll receive the full schedule and other pertinent info prior to our Introductory Meeting January 11th, 2011.
The Nitty Gritty
Nu2Tri Program registration will close after Tuesday, 1/17/2012.
Please register before that date…first clinic is a Bike Safety Clinic on Saturday, January 21th, 8:30 AM – location TBD.
Introductory Workshop, Tuesday, January 17, 2012 at 7 PM
Location: Spokesman in downtown Santa Cruz
231 Cathcart St
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
(831) 429-6062
This will be a meeting introduction and overview of SCTA and thte Nu2Tri program. Nu2Tri schedules will be issued at the meeting. Discussion will include clinics, training schedules, attendance, incentives and graduation. There will also be an opportunity to ask questions. Registrantion will remain open until the close of the Introductory Meeting. Walk-ins welcome!!
If you’ve signed up for Nu2Tri, don’t miss this meeting!
The introductory workshop 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.
Nu2Tri – meet the Mentors – Friday Jan 27 at 7 PM
The Mentor Mixer is scheduled for Friday, January 27th at 7 PM at CORE in Santa Cruz (317 Potrero Street, Ste. C, Santa Cruz, CA 95060, 831-425-9500).
SCTA coached Training Sessions
Nu2Tri athletes are encouraged to participate in the regular club workouts. SCTA hosts weekly coached 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!
Balancing Triathlon & Your LIfe:
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 consistent 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!
Elle Wasburn
Christine Erskine
Josh Bjornstad
Terri Schneider
Rod Heskett
Jane O’Connor
