Most of you all heard this at the end of the year party, but for those unable to attend, I wanted to flush out the ideas that we have been talking about for the past few weeks and answer any questions you may have.   While we call this the 2013 plan, things will begin to be implemented as early as Nov 12.  By Dec 1 we plan on having all the details ironed out and moving forward 100% with this model. 

This year we want the focus to be TEAM, TEAM, TEAM.  We want to train as a team, race as a team, have fun as a team.  T-E-A-M.  This means a better integration of online clients and team training clients.  This also means more interaction between morning and evening athletes, some who don't even know one another.  We also want better participation at workouts.  We do our job best when you attend. 

To this end we are making a few adjustments to the business model. 

  • Complete change of schedule:  
  • Over the past 2 years we have frequently taken attendance and very rarely do people make 3 or more workouts in a week.  So we want to streamline the schedule to fit athlete's needs better and encourage more participation.   
  • Starting Nov 12, the schedule will be adjusted to 2 mornings - Monday & Wednesday; 2 evenings - Tuesday & Thursday.  And of course there will always be a Saturday workouts
  • Training plans to follow:
  • Many of you have asked me for plans, some have found them online and followed them for specific races.  I always encourage a plan, but it makes our job much more difficult if you are following someone's plan but asking me for advice.  
  • In the past, we have always individualized each workout to maximize your general fitness gains.  Now, you will have a specific training plan to follow leading up to the TEAM races.  This will tell you what to do on each day, even the days you don't train with us or if you are out of town.  
  • We anticipated developing two different levels of training plans--beginners and intermediate.  For the off-season, this will revolve around a half marathon (see below).  During the tri season, it will be segmented between Half-Iron distance & olympic/sprint athletes.  We strongly feel this will give you more guidance as you train.  
 Race Schedule (subject to a few minor changes as dates are finalized).

2/23/13   Chattanooga Half Marathon
4/1/13     AD-Pi-athlon Sprint Triathlon
5/5/13     Rev3 Knoxville Half-Iron or Olympic
5/26/13   Clarkville CRAM 100 Ride
7/21/13   Music City Sprint or Olympic
8/10/13   Big Training Camp Weekend
9/8/13     Ashland City Half-Iron/Olympic/Sprint
??????     End of the Season out of town race

Ok, in attempt to answer some of your questions:

1.   Why the change?   Two reasons, in talking with athletes over the past 2 years, most have the same question--what should I be doing when I am not at a workout?  This will answer that and offer you much more structure to your training.  Second, as stated above, most people don't attend more than a few workouts each week.  The new schedule will allow you to plan ahead to attend morning and evening workouts thus increasing participation and the fun level.  

2.  What if I don't see a race listed?  There are several races not listed (Cedars, Mach Tenn, Du Run Run, Old Hickory, Chattanooga).  If you are interested in one of those, great!  By training for the TEAM race, you will be conditioned for any of those distances.  The new structure will likely have you primed much better than before.  But we hope that you will prioritize the TEAM races to support all your teammates. 

3.  Will we still get weekly emails with the schedule?  Yes and no.  I anticipate that we will supply you with a 2 week schedule at a time.  This will allow you to plan ahead so that work/social/life doesn't become a major headache.  If you know Tuesday night is cycling, then you can prepare for it.  You will still receive emails from me but on a as needed basis.  I do anticipate in the coming months that we will revamp the website and post the schedule there.  But in the interim, I will email it out.  

Hopefully you are as excited as we are about the TEAM concept for 2013.  We are also working on a few other TEAM training benefits that will enhance your training opportunities and hopefully save you more money at races and in stores.