Just made the permanent move to Madison, WI and am looking for any info about local training groups/clubs. Mostly I’m hoping to get to meet some people in the local tri/running communities to get more familiar with the area and meet some folks. From googling around, it looks like Endurance House has some training programs, Madison Multisport pops up, and various group runs/rides from some of the local running stores & Bombay Bicycle club (although they don’t seem to have updated for 2014).
Any advice from locals? Coming from Austin, I know each group there has a its own vibe, from casual/beginner to hard core hammerfest, from more social training (run/ride & a beer) to very structured coached training plans. I’ll probably just try to dive in and contact/show up a few different ones to see what’s a good fit, but would welcome any suggestions.
Welcome!! I think you’ll love it here once we get some decent weather. What part of the city are you? There are quite a few options here. I’d love to help you find the right one for you, even though I have not had much luck yet.
Oh nice. I’m in Middleton. Some groups can be a bit cliquish I find, but most are really nice and accepting. There are some good group rides starting soon, and a few masters programs. Anything particular you looking for?
Welcome to Madison. I have lived here a number of years but I am not a native. It is a great town for endurance sports, but admittedly urban sprawl makes it a little longer ride to get in the real countryside. I recently looked into all of the options that you have. If you are looking for social outlet as well as some coaching, the endurances house programs are excellent. You will not get the individual attention like having a private coach, but for under $300 a year including team kit. it cannot be beat. I have been a multisport athlete for a couple of years, and a bike racer before that. Self coached. I joined Endurance house for some guidance on the IMWI training and for the camaraderie for those long workouts. There are other group and coaching options and they all have pros and cons. It really depends on your knowledge base, goals and season plans. If you go with a coached group or individual coach, the cost differences vary widely…
I mostly train alone so I can’t comment much on what the groups are like, but there are a lot of training groups in the area. Endurance House, Berkeley Running and Fleet Feet have group runs. There are some coach-led groups like Madison Multisport, SBR Coaching, Speed Cycling, E3, Blake Becker’s group, etc. The Bombay Club has a lot of rides. Another group to check out is the WNBR group (Wednesday Night Bike Rides). They ride every Wednesday and have good routes and get a big mix of people. There’s a Tuesday practice crit series and a Thursday practice TT series, although that is temporarily on hold because the guy who runs it is having some health problems.
Also check out Race Day Events. They host local triathlons (Lake Mills is a popular local sprint tri) and an aquathon series. If you like to time trial, check out the Mid-America Time Trial Series. There’s a lot of running races locally. Crazy legs being one of the biggest, and it’s coming up.
The best open water swimming in the area is at Devil’s Lake. There are usually groups up there Saturday and Sunday mornings in the summer, especially as Ironman gets close.
Great info, thanks! I’m mostly doing duathlons this summer, and some trail running, so definitely bike & run heavy. Planning to volunteer at IMWI and register for it in 2015. Despite several HIMs I never had the urge to do a full, but can’t pass up doing one that is right in the town I live in! And I’ve heard great things about IMMOO.
Welcome to WI. While I have no input for you in response to your question, if you get the itch for a 70.3 there is one in Racine in July which is a 90 minute drive to your east. Usually has slots open until some time in June.
Another opportunity for group rides are the Capital Brewery rides. They leave from the brewery in Middleton on Tue (and maybe Thur?). Usually a huge mix of people, from a roadie hammerfest to very casual.