Calling all triathletes and roadies!  TTS Racing has announced its “open to the public” winter cycling camp in Ojai, California.  This TTS Racing cycling camp is open to beginner and advanced level cyclists looking to fine tune bike skills while creating a strong base for the upcoming season.  This is the real deal and it’s going to be FUN.

More Info about the TTS Racing 2 Day Winter Cycling Camp here.

Coaching this year’s winter cycling camp will be lead by Level 3 USAT certified coach, Ian Murray.  Ian Murray has also served as the Head Coach  for the USA Team at the ITU WCS in Madrid, Spain in 2010.  He leads coaching education for USA Triathlon and is a columnist for Triathlete Magazine.

The 2011 TTS Racing cycling camp will be held in lovely Ojai, California.  Ojai is a cyclists’ dream; nestled in the lush Los Padres National Forest, north of Los Angeles and a stones throw from Santa Barbara.  Folks, this is the sort of epic opportunity you should not let pass.  The opportunity to train, improve cycling skills and get fodder for cycling tall tales to tell in the future is here.

The camp will be held from January 28-30th 2011.

Camp Includes:

• Daily training sessions with our TTS Certified coaching staff
• Complete SAG support on all rides
• Certified professional massage (Saturday only)
• 2 night hotel stay at the Capri Hotel (http://www.hotelojai.com)
• Meals: 2 dinners & 2 lunches (free continental breakfast provided by The Capri Hotel)

Register for the TTS Racing 2 Day Winter Cycling Camp here.

Triathlon is arguably one of the more unique amateur sports available to adults.  Triathlon, unlike any other sport, attributes its newest practitioners to adult professionals; rather than pre-teen kids.  Triathlon training is something unique to adults for the large majority.  Though there are more and more juniors joining the sport, the bulk of the activity is among folks past their college years.

Think about that for a second.

Kids join the sports that their parents played and what is readily available in the community and schools.  That means that many kids grow up watching, playing and cheering for sports like basketball, football, baseball, soccer, swimming, etc.  Those are what many call traditional sports.  Traditional sports are team based activities and relatively inexpensive to take part in.  Triathlon, like many other “non traditional” sports are not available to kids via the same channels a sport like baseball is.

Triathlon training can be an expensive and time consuming activity that parents don’t have the bandwidth or budget to support.  Granted, triathlon doesn’t have to be exorbitantly expensive.  But after one adds up the race entry fees, cost of gear, memberships to pools and gyms the final price tag and time commitment dwarfs that of more traditional sports like soccer or basketball.  FYI, you can save some serious cash on coaching and learning about triathlon by purchasing one our Triathlon Training DVDs.

It’s adults that have more control over their time and budgets.  Couple that with the fact that many adults that begin their triathlon training may have never participated in a sport in their lives.  Triathlon may be their first foray into sport, training and physical competition.

The truth is, triathlon is one of those bucket list items for adults.  The sport of triathlon, like marathons, is shrouded in a cloak of awe and myth.  People want to add triathlon to their list of accomplishments in life.  Whether or not they continue to is a different discussion.

For now, however, kids are the minority in the sport of triathlon.  We don’t see many kids triathlon training, but I predict we’ll see that trend change in the future.  Though adults will continue to be the majority, we are excited by the prospect of teens getting out there and training, racing and experiencing the culture of triathlon.

There is an element of triathlon that many people don’t discuss with one another.  It’s not that it’s taboo.  Rather, it’s simply something many of us don’t even think to discuss.  It’s music.  Music is so much a part of our lives that talking about it is like talking about breathing.  We just do it.  The role that music plays in your pre-race prep could set the tone for your triathlon.  It could even make your personal record (PR) tangible.

Let’s get one thing out of the way.  Don’t train on your bike or race with your MP3 player blaring in your ears.  It’s just not safe.  This post is focusing on the music we listen to while doing our run workouts, stretching exercises, driving to the triathlon race site and setting up our transition areas.  What gets your blood pumping and ready to race or have a great workout?

Music can have such a major impact on our perception, frame of mind, mood and attitude.  It affects how you live and interact with others.  It affects how you train for triathlon.  For those that actively listen to music before racing when they are in their warm-up gear, it can provide a sense of familiarity.  This is because many hear music at a spin class when riding the bike that morning before work in the rain just doesn’t feel like a good idea.  For others, it is a pleasant distraction from the anxiety that can be associated with their first triathlon.

Many people we speak with love listening to hard rock or heavy metal to get their blood boiling and ready to have a great race.  On the other hand, we have people that we workout with on a normal basis and they don’t really integrate music into their races at all.  They prefer the peace of getting focused and organized on the race or workout at hand.  What’s more, they enjoy the buzz of the race morning: people nervously chatting, U2′s “It’s a Beautiful Day”, the announcer giving updates, etc.

The most interesting way we’ve seen music help a triathlete during a triathlon was at Wildflower on the Long Course.  A guy had figured out the tempo at which he needed to run to stay on pace.  He had identified the songs that had that same tempo.  He then wrote the song lyrics for the 1st verse and chorus upside down on the back of his number on his race belt.  At the times when he felt like he was slowing or needed focus, he would flip up the number look down and use his cheat sheet to get him back up to the tempo he needed by humming or singing the song in his head.  True Story.

It doesn’t matter where you are on the totem pole – an absolute newbie who’s never even toed the line at a triathlon and you’re just dreaming big or a veteran who’s looking to PR their next Ironman and qualify for “the show” in Kona – this clinic has nuggets of wisdom for everyone!

On Monday, December 13th Triathlon Training Series triathlon coaches Cherie Gruenfeld, 10 time Ironman World Champion, and Mike Gwaltney, USAT Certified Coach and F.I.S.T Certified Bike Fitter will host one of our most popular clinics: Looking Towards Ironman.

Topics to be covered:
*M-dot vs. Mom ‘n Pop and what to expect going into each.
*Race Selection from topography to time zones- we’ll discuss the pros and cons of everything.
*Long Term Training and how many months may be needed for proper preparation.
*Nutrition for training and race day.
*The necessary skills to finish and to PR and how to obtain those skills.
*Cherie will also have copies of her book “BECOME AN IRONMAN” for signing and sale!!! *And so much more – including plenty of time for your questions.

Come join our clinic leaders who collectively have nearly 40 Ironman finishes between them.

Location:
Santa Monica Main Library
601 Santa Monica Blvd., Santa Monica 90401 – The Multi-Purpose Room
6:30 PM
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Team TTS Racing had a solid showing at the 2010 El Dorado Cyclocross race in Long Beach, CA.  Between placing Top 10 in three categories, the Triathlon Training Series team and friends came out in strong numbers with barking, loud cheering, good attitudes and fierce racing.  Thanks to the good folks at Socalcross.org for putting together another great race.

Here were the results of the top finishes on Team TTS Racing:

Anna Wills, 3rd place Women Category 4

Henry Hagenbuch, 3rd place Men Category 4

Ian Murray, 9th place Men Masters 35+ 3/4

Paul Ruggiero, 12th place Men Category 4

Brad Williams, 18th place Men Cateogry 4

Jamie Silber, 23rd place Men Masters 35+ 3/4

Jeff Urban, 32nd place Men Masters 35+ 3/4

Adam Rakunas, 36th place Men Masters 35+ 3/4

Team TTS Racing  that day made for a very powerful statement.  Everybody raced at a very respectable level.  Check out Brad’s finish at the end of the video below.  Talk about Southern California Edison power station.  Nice finish, Brad!

In the elite division there were plenty of well known racers including, Brian Lopes and the Texas State Champion.  This division managed to bunny hop over the horizontal tree on the course.  Talk about amazing bike handling skills.  See the video below.  It is such a treat to watch racing at that level.

Sure many folks think of cold weather when they think of cyclcocross racing.  But the terrain in SoCal is anything but easy.  Between the dust, rough courses, talented fields and challenging courses, racing cyclocross in Southern California demands that everybody step up their game.

Most of the field in the Orange County and LA County area were very surprised to see triathletes every week at the start line of cyclocross races.  Now TTS Racing is a common fixture and we’ve been welcomed into the community.  We love racing cyclocross as much as we love the events held by SoCalCross.

If you’ve raced triathlon, Ironman, Xterra or even your local beer soaked triathlon you’ve most likely heard about the new membership program introduced by WTC called Ironman Access.  We’re here to tell you that it’s not a rumor.  Though there has been a murmur of of this in the halls of Triathlon Training Series and in the big room where we store our triathlon DVD sets, we don’t have anybody from the TTS crew that has purchased the Ironman Access just yet.

Quite honestly, there is a mix of panic and outrage and “sweet!” in the triathlon community about this new membership offering from WTC.  We feel it may be a bit too early to weigh-in with our opinions.  We really want to see how it shakes out.  We can, however, lay out the facts and let you judge for yourself.

How says cyclocross isn’t just as painful in dry climates as it is in the wet, oppressively cold regions of the US?  Spooky Cross was won last night by Chris Horner of Team Radioshack.  If that doesn’t give credibility to SoCalCross and racing in California, then I don’t know what does.  Triathlon Training Series’ very own triathletes showed up in large numbers to feel the pain that is cyclocross.

We are happy to say that Triathlon Training Series was there in full force.  Like with most of the SoCalCross races held in the Los Angeles and Orange County areas, we had our tent set up and were having more fun than we had the previous time.  Between the hard racing, loud cheering and positive attitudes, we had it all covered.  We even had a grill with brauts and drinks.  That’s how it should be done.

There are two types of cyclocross in the minds of most cyclists, triathletes, cyclocross buffs, roadies and beer drinking spectators.  In the opinions of most, the cold and wet racing found in Connecticut, Delaware, Oregon, Minnesota, Washington and Michigan is the first thing that comes to mind.  Sadly, people don’t think of the pure awesomeness found in drier climates.  The SoCalCross organization is one of the groups dedicated to bringing quality cyclocross race series to Southern California races.  One of their premier events is Spooky Cross.  After the normal racing is complete, racers change into ridiculous costumes and the pandemonium begins.

The category 4 field was maxed out at over 100 entrants.  Whoa!  The course was fast, challenging and gave plenty of opportunity to move up in the field.  Additionally, the female racers were there in huge numbers.  It’s so great to see ladies out there bringing the pain.  Their fields were stacked with intense competition.

Cyclocross is the type of event that is fun everybody.  The energy at these events is great.  Between the loud crowds, racers snatching cash on each lap, intense competition and the families, cyclocross (though we’re sad to say) is much more exciting to watch than a triathlon.  Doh!  If you have not yet, go to the 2011 Spooky Cross and bring a costume!

As triathletes we all know that some of the fun of training and racing is the gear.  Most of us have spent more on our wheelsets than we did on our plane ticket for our last international vacation.  The cost of your wetsuit alone would get you a 17,000 1-way tickets from LA to San Francisco on JetBlue.  You get the point.  Part of our collective gear frenzy is set aside for post workout gear.  Or as I like to call it: Apres Gear.  Our good friends at Splits 59 have got the triathletes ladies covered; literally.  After you purchase our triathlon training DVD for your wife, sister, neighbor, mother or friend you should drop by Splits 59 for the most comfortable and sexy post triathlon workout gear you can imagine.

Make no mistake.  Splits 59 is not just “around town wear”.  As they put it, they are the intersection of fitness and fashion.  The founders of Splits 59 are elite level athletes and have a long history in Ironman triathlon, ultras, marathons and epic open water challenges.  They realized athletes don’t have to sacrifice form for function.  We couldn’t agree more.

On the days when you want to hit a yoga class, change clothes after a triathlon or just slip out to grab a coffee on a lazy Sunday morning this gear gets the job done for women that want to look good and feel comfortable.  Sorry guys, there isn’t any gear for you, but find solace in the fact that you’ll see more of this flattering gear on the women in your lives.  This brand is growing  by leaps and bounds.  We’re proud to say that not only is the line functional and good looking, but that the founders are a good people looking to make a difference in the fitness world for athletes of all stripes.

Want to know what the best combo would be?  Use our Triathlon Training Series DVD and then slip on some Splits 59 and grab a healthy breakfast with good friends.  That’s the big winner.

We hate to be the deliverer of bad news, but it has to be done.  Contrary to what many triathletes and roadies think, carbon fiber won’t make you faster.  Gasp!  Shock!  Though advertising, your peers and some know-it-all at the local shop tells you that “oh man, you gotta do carbon fiber if it’s in your budget.”  Really?

Let us first say that carbon fiber bikes and components can be fantastic.  It all depends on the type of riding one does.  A substantial number of our clients and customers ride either carbon fiber frames, carbon fiber wheelsets, carbon fiber shifters, carbon fiber seat posts or all of the above.  Talk about a sexy set-up!  More power to them.  We salute you.

Does all of that carbon fiber goodness make them faster?  Simply put, no.  What makes all of our clients and customers faster is dedications to a healthy diet, training (via our triathlon training series DVD set or via our triathlon coaching services), plenty of recovery, desire to improve and a good attitude.  That, my friends, is what makes one faster.  The carbon fiber is just sexy gravy drizzled over the top.  Are we saying not to purchase carbon fiber gear? Nope.  Rather, if you are a triathlete dead set on dropping splits then you need to put the above list items before investing your cash in a new carbon frame.

One thing to keep in mind is that carbon fiber is fragile.  Therefore, if you are accident-prone or race your triathlon bike for criteriums, then you may consider riding an aluminum set up.  That is especially true for all of you out there that commute to work via your triathlon or time trial bikes.  Cars sometimes have a knack for not seeing or paying attention to cyclists.  Don’t forget that aluminum is stiff, very light and cost effective.  Also, if you have to replace the frame or wheelset you won’t have to take out a 2nd on your home.  You’ll be able to quickly and cheaply replace your aluminum rims and/or frame.

You may find yourself in a situation where there are no triathlon coaches in your area or you just don’t have the budget to pay a  monthly fee.  Maybe you were a Team in Training participant and raised a large sum of money for a good cause and have solid understanding of triathlon training but need a little more guidance now that you’re not actively training with Team in Training.  If you fall into one of those scenarios above, you’re in the right place.  Buy the Triathlon Training Series DVD and you’ll never look back.

The feedback we receive from triathletes, family members of triathletes, elite coaches, former Team in Training participants, age groupers and elite racers is usually so similar that it’s startling.  The overwhelming response is something to the effect of, “Wow!”…”I watch and re-watch so many times.”…”I’ve been doing triathlon for many years and was surprised that I still have so much to learn.”

Here’s what you get in the Triathlon Training Series DVD set:

• Basics for Triathletes
• Swimming for Triathletes
• Cycling for Triathletes
• Running for Triathletes
• Strength Training for Triathletes

That means that you’ll be able to individually focus on the portion of triathlon that is the most challenging for you.  You are not limited by coaching hours, time of day or feeling silly about having to ask the same question many times.  You can simply put in the DVD and watch and learn at your convenience.  Watch it at night before going to bed.  Watch it on a long airplane flight.  Watch it just before a workout so that you feel excited and focused on improving technique and dropping times.

Don’t waste your valuable time trying to remember what a coach said or relying on a magazine article to help you with your triathlon goals.  Rely on Triathlon Training Series’ long history of coaching age groupers, junior elites and professional triathletes.