Thursday, April 30, 2009

My Big, Fun Triathlon News

Remember back in March when I took 4 current and former students of mine to do their first triathlon? It was the Indoor Triathlon at the LTF in Eagan. Here’s me acting very normal (knowing that the school might like to use this photo on their website, which they did) along with my 4 students:



Well, on Tuesday evening, there was a student council meeting at that school (the College of Visual Arts). They unanimously voted to make the “CVA Triathlon Club” official. I’m their unofficial “coach.” I’ll be taking any students, faculty, or staff at the College of Visual Arts and getting them ready to finish their first sprint triathlon at the end of July!! HOW COOL IS THAT?!?

Some people are joining the club just to “get in shape.” There might be a few students that get together and compete in the tri as a team. And I think there’ll be 5-10 students that will train do the triathlon all by themselves. We’ll meet once or twice a week over the summer to have group workouts and to talk about what to be doing the rest of the time. I’m SUPER PUMPED for this!!

Now a quick question for all of you: I’ve used BeginnerTriathlete.com as a source for workouts and training plans, but does anyone have any suggestions for sources for tri training? Or running training? Or open water swimming tips? Any resources you might have encountered in your training would be SUPER helpful!

Thanks everyone!! Friday Funny coming shortly - it’s a good one!...
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42 comments:

  1. Gabriel Losa9:37 PM, April 30, 2009

    I´m just a runner, not a triathlete, so I can´t give you any advice… but I do want to CONGRATULATE YOU for the exciting news!

    Good luck!

    Gabriel

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  2. Missy9:59 PM, April 30, 2009

    That totally rocks. I like to use Gale Bernhardt's training plans because there are so many options for every distance. Swim workouts - Sara McClarty has a blog where she posts three masters workouts almost daily as options. I'll think of more...

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  3. X-Country210:09 PM, April 30, 2009

    How cool! What a great honor. :o)

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  4. Aka Alice10:14 PM, April 30, 2009

    I don't know about any tri training plans, but I do want to say how impressed I am at your ability to act very normal...LOL

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  5. Jenny Davidson10:24 PM, April 30, 2009

    Super-cool!

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  6. Anonymous10:35 PM, April 30, 2009

    Check out Gale Bernhardt's Training Plans For Multisport Athletes from Velopress. It is a little wonky and old school, but comprehensive over multiple distances. I also like Matt Fitzgerald's training plans from Triathlete magazine. He emphasizes quite a bit of speed work over distance, and as result the time commitment isn't as great.

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  7. trigirl8210:42 PM, April 30, 2009

    I'll ditto the Gale Bernhardt suggestion. This will be my third tri season using them (different variations each time), and they've worked for me! I've not used the sprint distance plans, but just looking at them they seem like they're good.

    Congrats on the tri team! That's exciting! I was on a tri team in college briefly and I loved it. Can't wait to hear updates in the months to come! :-)

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  8. KK10:43 PM, April 30, 2009

    Awesome! Congrats, "coach." That is so exciting.

    And a belated congrats on your NOLA finish too-a new PR? Awesome! Must have been the time you saved in transition NOT changing into a reaper costume. Oh, and all the training.

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  9. teacherwoman10:49 PM, April 30, 2009

    that is so exciting!!! If you are looking for a resource that works on tri strength, core, flexibility, and endurance, I have picked up TriPower and love it!! It's a greay (and very important) addition to the swimming, biking, and running. I am only a week in, but am already seeing a difference!

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  10. C2:24 AM, May 01, 2009

    That's wonderful, Steve! You're going to be an awesome coach. That club is so lucky to have you. :)

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  11. duchossois5:25 AM, May 01, 2009

    That's great news, Steve. You the perfect guy for the job.

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  12. Chloe5:27 AM, May 01, 2009

    Congrats! That is awesome the way that #1 you'll be the coach and #2 they are so excicted about getting into the sport!!

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  13. triblog carol5:31 AM, May 01, 2009

    You'll be the best tri club leader ever! Have fun!!! I like Gale Bernhardts Swim Workout sin a binder for traithletes. It's a great little waterproof book with 2500-3500 m swim workouts. I love Triathlete Mag/Matt Fitzgerald's Essential Training Plan book. It has level 1-10 plan for each distance with solid workouts. You pick a level based on your time and training needs.

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  14. Anonymous6:05 AM, May 01, 2009

    Very cool. You are going to be a great unofficial coach!

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  15. FLATOUT JIM6:23 AM, May 01, 2009

    Wish I had a coach like Steve.

    BT and Gail Bernhart, good suggestions.

    I also like setting a standard week. Same sport each day, so there is no confusion.

    Mine looks like this
    Mon Tempo Run
    Tue am Swim pm ride, tempo, hills or ITT
    Wed Long run
    Thurs am Swim pm Ride
    Fri short run optional
    Sat Long ride
    Sun Long brick, or running race

    Congradulations to all your students.

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  16. joyRuN7:02 AM, May 01, 2009

    How EXCELLENT!!!

    Congrats, Coach :)

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  17. Maria7:23 AM, May 01, 2009

    Congratulations! What an awesome coach you're going to be! I cant wait to hear how the sprint goes in july.

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  18. Nicole7:30 AM, May 01, 2009

    Congrats, that is very cool! I'll second, third, fourth etc etc Gale's book...also there is an online site called swimplan.com that you can join up for free and get workouts out of....good luck to all!

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  19. AJ7:40 AM, May 01, 2009

    I like the Matt Fitzgerald book and training plans as well! Good luck and have fun! I'm racing with 6 of my students tomorrow and totally looking forward to it!

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  20. Darcy Franklin7:50 AM, May 01, 2009

    Congrats! It is always so much fun to inspire others!

    I love the Training Bible and reading articles by Matt Fitzgerald.

    I am hosting two triathlon clinics....check out the info at my website www.fitneighbor.com. Might be worth forwarding onto your newbies.

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  21. cdnhollywood7:53 AM, May 01, 2009

    Here's the book I swear by: Triathlete Magazine's Essential Week-by-Week Training Guide. It covers all distances, and 8 levels for each.

    Regarding logs, I prefer BuckeyeOutdoors.comas it truly is multisport capable.

    For swimming, a quick summary of the "Easy Freestyle" video from Total Immersion is fantastic. But don't be afraid to fast-forward it. I have this on my iPod and review it on the bus ride home on swim days.

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  22. Jaime8:05 AM, May 01, 2009

    I really like trinewbies.com. They have have beginner, intermediate and advanced training plans for most distances.

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  23. The Boring Runner8:15 AM, May 01, 2009

    This picture cracks me up every time you post it.

    That is really cool about the coaching gig. No advice here, but i'm sure that you'll get them through it!!

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  24. Anonymous8:21 AM, May 01, 2009

    I'm a very newbie triathlete and am pathetic at most sports. I really really liked the training plans that focus on minutes rather than distance. I know that if I jog 14 minutes one week, I can certainly do 15 minutes the next. I made it through my first Sprint last year with this plan

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  25. Marlene8:26 AM, May 01, 2009

    That's awesome, Steve! You're going to have so much fun with it!

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  26. Ms. Caddywumpus8:54 AM, May 01, 2009

    Fantastic news!

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  27. Steve Stenzel9:29 AM, May 01, 2009

    Thanks for all the advice everyone!!!

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  28. Lindsay9:46 AM, May 01, 2009

    very cool dude! you'll be a great mentor with your infinite wisdom, and your sense of humor probably won't hurt either :)

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  29. Carolina John9:58 AM, May 01, 2009

    Coach steve, how cool! nice job bro.

    i use beginner triathlete too. the only other thing i can add is to search amazon for a book called Tri Power, a strength training plan for triathletes. it focuses on balanced training and sport specific aides. I've been on tri power for a few months now, and it's really getting the job done.

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  30. Jenna10:13 AM, May 01, 2009

    hey coach!!
    http://www.swimplan.com/
    also runner's world has custom run plans you can create. I like BuckeyeOutdoors.com as a recording tool.

    You gonna get them all blogging too?? So we can provide support to them all!!!

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  31. Unknown11:10 AM, May 01, 2009

    You might want to send an email to Mark at www.trifamilyracing.com. He has been teaching an into triathlon class at Glendale Community College for more than 10 years that ends each semester with a sprint tri. He might be able to help you out with ideas. He knows me, so tell him I sent you over.

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  32. Brian11:24 AM, May 01, 2009

    maybe the school will give you a budget? if so there are lots of videos out there

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  33. Pharmie12:20 PM, May 01, 2009

    Hun, we have a whole shelf full of em :) The black book that I bought for my first tri (with the Speedo guys on the front) has super simple plans in it. I'll help you look this weekend :)

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  34. Chic Runner12:26 PM, May 01, 2009

    You already were my stair running coach.. where's my post! :) just kidding, you will be a great coach! :)

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  35. trimybest1:26 PM, May 01, 2009

    training bible coaching has some good stuff. you can imput workout plans and it emails everyone their workouts everyday

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  36. Brent Buckner2:36 PM, May 01, 2009

    Awesomesauce!

    Iron Pol has coached 8th graders for triathlon, so he might know of someplace to find training plans specific to junior development.

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  37. Jeff2:51 PM, May 01, 2009

    Congrats! I'm glad this panned-out for you and the school!

    Hands-down, the best source I've come across to date is this:
    "The Triathlete's Training Bible" by Joe Friel (Paperback - Feb 17, 2009; currently in its 3rd edition. (I think Amazon has it on sale, or a bike shop can order it through QBP and you'll likely get a discount for school, etc.)

    Congrats again! Rad!
    JL

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  38. Run For Life5:44 PM, May 01, 2009

    That is really cool!

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  39. Badgergirl7:19 PM, May 01, 2009

    That's great news!

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  40. Velma7:28 AM, May 02, 2009

    Great news. I was thinking of doing a kids team with the local kids. How fun! Let me know what you learn.

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  41. Michelle1:47 PM, May 02, 2009

    Congrats Coach Steve Stenzel!!!

    If i was younger and lived near you, I would so be in the club!!!!

    WOO!!!!

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  42. sRod3:41 PM, May 05, 2009

    What great news! Ad if you weren't busy enough already!

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Thanks for your comments! Have a great day!