Happy training for the week of 3/12.  Everything is new this week.

General Meeting:  We had a great turnout for our first general meeting of the year on Saturday at the Madison Bear Garden.  After some general announcements and introductions, we split into two groups, one for beginning athletes and one for more experienced racers.  In the former group, Susan M. presented Tri 101 and Katie N. lead the discussion on the Sprint Distance Beginner Training Program.  In the latter group, Sean M. presented the Olympic Distance Intermediate Training Program.  Sean has designed these plans to help you prepare for our first club triathlon of the year, Black Butte in June.  In case you missed it, both plans have been posted to the Training page of the website.

Workouts:  Daylight savings time has arrived and so has the new summer workout schedule (current weather not withstanding).  We officially kickoff on Thursday 3/15 at 5:45 PM with the first track workout at the Chico State track (or the Chico High track if the CSUC track is unavailable). Updated details about all the workouts, including some group rides not affiliated with CTC, are included on the Workout page of the website.  All CTC Workouts are usually confirmed a day or two in advance on the Yahoo group.

Race Uniforms:  If you are interested in a 2012 CTC race uniform (one or two-piece tri suit) and have not yet completed an order form, now is the time.  Orders are being taken at North Rim Adventure Sports in downtown Chico. There are sizing samples there for you to try-on to ensure a good fit.  Also, there is an actual CTC two-piece uniform for you to see what it will generally look like for the 2012 season.  Cost is $100 for either a one or two-piece tri suit.  The deadline for orders is Sunday, March 18.  Please direct any questions about uniforms to Sean M. (training@chicotraithlonclub.com).

Chico Stage Race: The Chico Corsa Cycling Club is putting on the Chico Stage Race April 14th & 15th.  The event includes Saturday’s Paskenta Hills Road Race and two Sunday events, the Chico Downtown Criterium and the River Road Time Trial.  An additional event on Sunday is Fleet Feet’s Downtown Mile running race.  The Chico Triathlon Club is supporting the event this year, primarily through volunteer efforts.  Volunteers are needed for the following days and events.  Saturday’s Road Race:  Support vehicles, water feed, corner flaggers, registration, and parking assistants.  Sunday’s Criterium:  Course marshals, registration, event set-up, and event break down.  Sunday’s Time Trial:  Corner flaggers, rider liaison, and parking assistants.  If you can help with any aspect of this fine event, please contact Forough Molina (foroughsean at yahoo dot com) who is coordinating volunteer efforts for CTC.

Greg Watkins

President, Chico Triathlon Club

Happy training for the week of 3/5.

Launch Party:  What a great turnout we had for the 2012 CTC Launch Party last Thursday night at Fleet Feet.  We picked up several new members and several renewals, and received lots of positive feedback about the event and the club.  Thanks again to all who put so much time and effort into making the event happen, and thanks also to Fleet Feet for hosting.  Pictures from the Launch Party have been posted to the Gallery page of the website.

Bidwell Classic:  CTC was well represented at Saturday’s Bidwell Classic, our second club race of the year.  Many raced, many volunteered, and some did both.  Thanks to Jason B., Joanne G., Jim H., Mitch H., Shawn H., Elda M., Sean M., Forough M., Jennifer M., Jay P., Josh R., Lynn S., Laura V., Justin W., Tammie W., Isa W. (hope I didn’t miss anybody) for coming out and supporting the club and the Bidwell Classic.  We had a lot of traffic at the pop-up and a lot of interest in the club.  Great job everyone.  Race results are posted here and pictures (thanks Laura and Jennifer) have been posted to the Gallery page of the website.

General Meeting:  Our first general meeting of the year will take place on Saturday March 10, 2:00 PM upstairs at the Madison Bear Garden.  Susan M. will present Tri 101 for the newbies, Coach Katie will present a 12 week training plan for novices hoping to tackle their first race, and Coach Sean will present an advanced 12 week training plan for more experienced athletes.  All of this is to help prepare you for our first club triathlon of the year, Black Butte in June.  Susan, Sean, Katie, and other veteran club members will also be available to answer any and all triathlon related questions.

Tri-Suits:  We are very close to finalizing the order for this year's tri suits.  Many of you have already completed an order form, but there is still time if you want to get in on this year's order.  Fit samples will be available at North Rim in the next couple of days.  An announcement will be made to the Yahoo group once that's in place.  Please direct any questions about the tri suits to Sean M. (training@chicotraithlonclub.com).

Workouts:  Daylight savings time begins this weekend and Thursday's track workout on 3/15 is the official start of the spring training schedule.  Weekly workouts include Katie's fun run on Monday, Josh's Sicko Intervals on Tuesday, the Thursday track workout, Shawn's Friday ride,  and the Saturday LSD run.  Details are included on the Workout page of the website.  All events are normally confirmed a day or two in advance on the Yahoo group.

Greg Watkins

President, Chico Triathlon Club

Launch Party:  The 2012 Launch Party is scheduled for Thursday March 1st from 6:30 to 8:30 at Fleet Feet (241 Main Street).  Fleet Feet is providing pizza and beverages, and we will have a short program highlighting the club and our planned events for the coming year.  We will also have fit samples for one-piece tri suits from Sugoi and will be taking orders for this year's tri kit.  We will also have CTC gear for sale, including short and long sleeve tech T-shirts, hats, fleece jackets and pullovers, all emblazoned with the CTC logo.  Please spread the word to anyone you think might be interested, and please email Laura V. (bikingirl01 at yahoo dot com) if you're planning to attend so we can get a head count.  You can also RSVP to the event on the Chico Triathlon Club Facebook Page.

Bidwell Classic:  Our second club race of the year, the Bidwell Classic, takes place on Saturday March 3rd at One Mile.  The 5k starts at 8:30 and the Half Marathon at 9:00.  Club members are encouraged to either race or volunteer for this great Chico event.  We will have the CTC pop-up out there on race day with a bag check for members.  You can register to race here (fees go up on 3/1), and if you want to volunteer, please contact volunteer@underthesunevents.org.

General Meeting:  Our first general meeting of the year will take place on Saturday March 10, 2:00 PM upstairs at the Madison Bear Garden.  Susan M. will present Tri 101 for the newbies, Coach Katie will present a 12 week training plan for novices hoping to tackle their first race,  and Coach Sean will present an advanced 12 week training plan for more experienced athletes.  All of this is to help prepare you for our first club triathlon of the year, Black Butte in June.  Susan, Sean, Katie, and other veteran club members will also be available to answer any and all triathlon related questions.

Tri-Suits and Cycling Kits:  As mentioned above, we will have fit samples for one-piece tri suits at the Launch Party and will be taking orders there.  If you want to order a tri-suit this year but cannot attend the Launch Party, please contact Sean M. (training at chicotraithlonclub dot com) to obtain an order form.   Sean is also working on a cycling kit; we will have updated news on that soon.

CTC Gear:  As mentioned above, CTC gear will be available for sale at the Launch Party, and afterwards at North Rim.  The initial inventory includes short and long sleeve tech T-shirts, hats, fleece jackets and pullovers.  Thanks again to North Rim for allowing us to sell our gear essentially at cost.

Spring/Summer Workout Schedule:  The spring/summer workout schedule kicks off on Thursday March 15th.  Details will be presented at the Launch Party.