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Sweat!
Danskin And Beyond: Triathlon Season In Austin
by Amy E. Lemen
 The fall running season has ended, so what’s an athlete to do? Not to worry, we’ve got the answer. Whether you’re experienced, a beginner or somewhere in between, participating in a triathlon is a great way to stay in shape, challenge yourself and even weather the oppressive heat of a Texas summer. Luckily, there’s no shortage of triathlon training programs in Austin.
The all-women’s Danskin triathlon, which takes place June 13, has spawned several training programs for athletes of all levels. Though most Danskin-specific programs have already gotten underway (many started in early April), there’s still time to join. There also are plenty of other races after the Danskin, so if you’re still motivated to swim, bike and run through late September, it can certainly be done in Central Texas.
Many gyms and programs have ongoing triathlon training, too, so the option to join at anytime during the year is there. Whether your goal is the America’s Triathlon in May, the Danskin in June, or the Splash Triathlon at Seaworld in September, there’s a wealth of resources to get you started.
 Tough Cookies Don’t Crumble (TCDC)
Though this women-only program’s main focus is the Danskin, Tough Cookies Don’t Crumble offers women-only training programs year-round, including one for the Splash triathlon at Seaworld this fall.
Founded by Tzatzil LeMair and Lorna Devlyn, both accomplished triathletes, TCDC programs offer three coached sessions a week (one in each sport — biking, swimming and running) by United States of America Triathlon (U.S.A.T.)-certified coaches, personalized weekly training schedules and special clinics and seminars such as Open Water Swimming Survival Tips, Conquering the Hills, Transition Training, Nutrition and Flat Repair. They also have childcare available for sessions, since many women who participate are also moms.
“Though we have women of all levels, most are first-time triathletes who want to do the Danskin,” says LeMair. “We focus on making it fun, as well as giving a lot of personal attention.”
LeMair also says if spots are still open for the group’s Danskin training session (already underway) participants are welcome to join for a prorated fee. Call 431-6509 or visit www.toughcookiesdontcrumble.com for more information.
 Castle Hill Specialized Fitness
Castle Hill Specialized Fitness is offering a “tri-season pass” and you don’t have to be a gym member to take advantage of it. Participants buy a package that includes three private training sessions and an activity card pass for workouts at Castle Hill.
Prices for the package range from $195 to $315 and include a percentage off other services offered at the gym like personal training, massage therapy, nutritional consultations, body composition assessments and physical therapy.
Heather Carroll, spokesperson for Castle Hill, says rather than doing a race-specific program, the facility has chosen to focus on ongoing training throughout the season.
“This is the answer to what our clients were asking for — more options for sport-specific training,” she says.
For information, call Castle Hill at 478-4567 or e-mail info@castlehillfitness.com.
 Texas Iron
Owned by Austinites and professional triathletes Jamie Cleveland and Andrea Fisher, Texas Iron offers training with the pros. For Fisher, it’s a way to share the sport she loves and watch others succeed.
Offerings include swim stroke and efficiency classes that emphasize proper stroke mechanics, and continued triathlon training, perfect for those who want to improve throughout the year. The ongoing program is comprehensive in nature and designed specifically for triathletes, featuring weekly coached sessions, a private online question-and-answer board as well as a monthly workout regimen.
Group workouts are held Thursday evenings and include interval training in running, biking and transitions. Exercises are tailored to individual ability levels and emphasize energy systems based on the athletes’ goals. For those athletes interested, a minimum three-month commitment to the program is requested. Texas Iron is also holding free clinics all summer long through Bicycle Sport Shop; visit bicyclesportshop.com to find out more. For more information about start times and rates, visit www.texasiron.net or call 282-0401.
BodyBusiness
This popular workout facility and specialized training center offers experienced, beginner and wanna-be triathletes plenty of options. With small-group emphasis and individualized attention, BodyBusiness tri-training also incorporates a well-rounded staff, including a physical therapist, professional-level cyclist and several experienced triathletes.
Participants can train on-site in a heated lap pool or in the stationary cycling studio, in addition to organized outings at various locations around Austin. Choose from either the short- or long- distance program; each meets twice a week for a total of 12 weeks.
 Though training for America’s Triathlon and the Danskin are currently underway, Maureen (“Moe”) Sullivan, BodyBusiness personal trainer and coordinator of the gym’s triathlon training program for the last four years, is also planning a new, year-round tri-training program to begin this summer.
Sullivan is working with Allan Besselink — an Austin physical therapist and owner of Smart Sport International (www.smartsportintl.com) — featuring yet another program geared toward triathletes. Sullivan says the program will be open to members and non-members and will incorporate six- to 12-week sessions centered on specific races and all distances: sprint, Olympic, half-Ironman and Ironman. For information, contact Sullivan at BodyBusiness, 459-9424.
Team In Training
Fundraising for a good cause is the primary goal of this national program, but it’s also a great opportunity to train for an Olympic-distance triathlon. Team In Training will be supporting Austin athletes at the America’s Triathlon race at the end of May, while training for that event began in January. Fundraising goals vary, based on the expenses for the event. For example, those participating in America’s Triathlon are raising at least $2500 each. Twenty-five percent of the funds go to event costs; the other 75 percent go to helping find a cure. In return, Team In Training offers participants two coached workouts a week, event registration, pasta/victory parties, nutrition and injury prevention clinics and an Orca wetsuit.
Participants are also matched with an “honored patient” — someone currently undergoing treatment for cancer — in whose name they train. Lisa Owens, Team In Training campaign director for the SouthwestTexas chapter, says it’s a unique way to experience the event.
“Everyone’s more connected as a team and more cohesive because it’s all helping to cure leukemia, lymphoma or myeloma,” she says.
Recruiting for the next triathlon training program begins in October. Marathon and cycling event recruiting starts in July. For more information, call 512/343-7073.
 TriZones Training
This ongoing U.S.A.T.-sanctioned training program starts after the Danskin and builds on the momentum of that race for those craving more triathlon events. Founded by co-coaches Tracy Nelson and Gina Lardon, the program began last year. Both Nelson and Lardon are coaches with Team Danskin — the official training program for the Danskin event — but found many women wanted a prolongation in their training after they completed the Danskin.
“Team Danskin contracts with local coaches for their official eight-week training, but when the Danskin is over, so is the program,” explains Nelson. “Women still wanted to participate, so we formed TriZones.”
This co-ed program offers workouts once a week that include swimming, cycling and running drills, open water training, hill training for cycling and running, speedwork, technique and transitions. Extensive heart rate training is also included.
Participants also get a workout plan for the other days of the week so they can train on their own. For more information, call 331-4686, e-mail coaches@trizones.com or visit www.trizones.com.
 Ironsmith: Tri Fit U.S.A.
No one in Austin has been in the sports performance training business longer than Ironsmith. Established more than 15 years ago, Ironsmith is Austin’s first company solely devoted to developing coaching, training, conditioning and injury-prevention programs for swimmers, cyclists, runners and hardcore triathletes.
The Tri Fit U.S.A. Triathlon Training program is designed to develop the triathlon-specific skills of men and women with all levels of experience and abilities, says founder Sarah Scott, a U.S.A.T.-certified coach.
Tri Fit U.S.A. coaching and training fees vary and classes are built around the days, hours and needs of the individual or group. Participants develop “no fear” open-water swimming skills, efficient breathing methods, improved cycling form, new running techniques and reduced transition times, while learning about shoe fit, bike fit and conditioning routines. Tri Fit U.S.A. students also receive free access to Ironsmith training facilities for the duration of their training. For more information, visit www.TriFitUSA.com or call 454-4766.
Triathlon Resources
Every athlete needs resources, so here’s a sampling of what the Austin fitness community has to offer for triathletes-in-training.
Swim Workouts
The swim programs in Austin are almost limitless, but one of particular note is the master’s program at the Circle C Ranch pool. For more information, contact Randy Reese at 288-6057 or 480-9821. Also, most branches of the Austin YMCA offer master’s swim programs two to three mornings and evenings a week at reasonable rates for both members and non-members. Call the branch nearest you for more information.
Cycling Workouts
360 Cycleworks: Group road rides leave every Sunday morning at 9 a.m. for routes ranging from 35 to 85 miles. All levels are encouraged to attend. For more information, visit www.360cycleworks.com, call 306-8778 or swing by the shop at 3801 North Capital of Texas Highway.
Austin Tri-Cyclists: The Austin Tri-Cyclist Saturday Ride starts from the Austin Tri-Cyclist store at 923 Barton Springs Road at 8:30 am (year-round). There are three groups: A is fast, B is intermediate and C is beginner. Rides are 20-, 30- and 48-mile loops with free Taco Deli breakfast tacos after the ride.
The Austin Flyers: The Austin Flyers is a local bicycle club, of which many members are triathletes. Though the training focuses on cycling, there are also plenty of tri-geeks! Weekly rides are open to all and free of charge. Intermediate level rides leave on Sundays at 8:30 a.m., averaging 30 miles on varied terrain. On the first Sunday of the month, the ride starts at Bicycle Sports Shop South (off Toomey Road) and on the third Sunday of the month, the ride leaves from Bicycle Sports Shop North (at Highway 183 and Braker Lane). The other Sundays of the month members are encouraged to meet up for the Austin Cycling Association (A.C.A.) ride. For those wanting to hit the trails, there is an off-road ride every Wednesday at 6 p.m. and on Thursdays a ride for all skill levels leaves the Veloway (South MoPac) at 6:30 p.m. For information, visit www.austinflyers.com.
Running Workouts
Run-Tex offers free group runs Monday through Thursday starting from both the Riverside location and the location at the corner of Lake Austin Boulevard and Mopac Expressway. The workouts are free and accommodate all levels of runners. Monday and Wednesday workouts are for a more advanced crowd, while Tuesday and Thursday workouts are for beginner and intermediate levels.
Bike Maintenance
The last thing you want is a flat tire in the middle of a race you’ve trained weeks for, especially if you have no idea how to change it. Do yourself a favor and learn how now. There’s a free, basic bike maintenance class for all 360 Cycleworks customers every Wednesday evening at 6 p.m. You’ll learn how to change a flat and get an overview of general bike maintenance.
One caveat: do not wait until the last week before a big race — like the Danskin, for example — to get your bike checked for last-minute kinks. Chances are the repair shop will be too booked to get your bike in.
“Everyone comes in for repairs, but if you wait two weeks before the race, you might not find any place to do the work,” says Ron Robinson, manager/owner of 360 Cycleworks. “If you need a tune-up — even something minor — come at least a month in advance.”
What if you still need a bike? Robinson suggests looking now. “You need a few weeks to acclimate to the new bike and work out the bugs,” he says.
He also warns that if you’re a serious cyclist shopping for a new ride in the $1,000 to $3,000 range, order now. Industry buzz forecasts a possible shortage of Shimano 105 and Shimano Ultegra components this summer, popular for bikes in that price range.
All in all, Austin offers much in the way of year-round triathlon training, not to mention a gorgeous setting and an enviable climate. So when you think about it, there’s little reason not to slip on that suit, tie your shoes and mount your bike for a fun- and fitness-filled triathlon season that’s already underway.
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