Happy training for the week of 3/11.

First General Meeting of the Year:  Thanks to all who came and made the first general meeting of the year a success.  We talked about upcoming club races and events, the new summer workout schedule (detailed below),  and triathlon training principals.  We then split into groups that focused on sprint, olympic, and long distance racing, including training plans for the Black Butte Sprint and Olympic distance triathlons in June.  The training plans, developed by Shaun Molina, have been posted to the Training page of the website.

Christmas in March: As you know, the time changed this week, an event otherwise known as Christmas for Triathletes.  The extra daylight means the debut of the summer workout schedule.  The current lineup of workouts has been posted to the Workouts page of the website.  Please keep in mind that workouts are normally confirmed a day or two in advance on the Yahoo group.

2013 Sponsors: CTC is pleased to announce the club's sponsors for 2013.  These business have generously agreed to support our team. Please reciprocate by supporting them with your patronage.

Platinum - Simply Results Physical Therapy

Gold - Moms-The Bear / Northrim

Silver - The H Group / Fleet Feet / In Motion Fitness / Beyond Fitness

Bronze - Under the Sun Events / Black Butte Triathlons / RACE / Dragon Graphics / Xterra Wetsuits / Expedition Man Triathlon

Logos and links for all of our sponsors can be found on the Sponsorship page of the website.

New Pictures:  Pictures from the Launch Party and Bidwell Classic have been posted to the Gallery page of the website.

Tri-Suits & Cycling Kits: CTC is once again partnering with Voler Cycling Apparel to offer high quality Tri-Suits and Cycling Kits designed especially for the club.  Those that ordered the cycling kits last year can attest to their very high quality, comfort, and just plain cool look (can't tell you how many compliments we've received from the cycling community on them).  We're also going with Voler for tri suits this year, and you can order either one piece or two piece styles.  The order window is open now and closes on March 18th.  All ordering is done online, but we have fit samples for all the items at North Rim, 178 E. 2nd St. in downtown Chico, so you can try them on to ensure a perfect fit.  Complete instructions for the ordering process can be found here.  Please direct any questions about uniforms to Sean Molina (training@chicotriathlonclub.com).

Chico Kidney Biathlon:  The first annual Chico Kidney Biathlon will take place  Saturday, March 23 at 8:00 AM at the Hooker Oak Recreation Area.  The event consists of a 5k Run followed by a 10k Bike and has individual and team categories.  The organizers have generously offered a $20 discounted registration for any current CTC member.  Contact president@chicotriathlonclub.com (or reply to this email) to request the discount code.

Happy training for the week of 3/4.

First General Meeting of the Year:  Please plan to join us this Saturday March 9th at 2:00 PM for our first general meeting of the year.  We'll meet upstairs at the Madison Bear Garden, 316 W 2nd St. in downtown Chico.  We have lots of information to share, including training plans leading up to the Black Butte Triathlons, the kickoff of the Squad Training Groups, the spring group workout schedule, our practice triathlon at Black Butte Lake, uniforms, clothing orders, and more.  All new members (and long time ones too) are encouraged to attend to learn more about club activities for the upcoming year.

Tri-Suits & Cycling Kits: CTC is once again partnering with Voler Cycling Apparel to offer high quality Tri-Suits and Cycling Kits designed especially for the club.  Those that ordered the cycling kits last year can attest to their very high quality, comfort, and just plain cool look (can't tell you how many compliments we've received from the cycling community on them).  We're also going with Voler for tri suits this year, and you can order either one piece or two piece styles.  The order window is open now and closes on March 18th.  All ordering is done online, but we have fit samples for all the items at North Rim, 178 E. 2nd St. in downtown Chico, so you can try them on to ensure a perfect fit.  Complete instructions for the ordering process can be found here.  Please direct any questions about uniforms to Sean Molina (training@chicotriathlonclub.com).

Launch Party:  Thanks again to everyone who helped make CTC’s 4th Annual Launch Party a success.  Special thanks to go the organizing committee (Susan, Jennifer, Katie, & Laura) and also to Fleet Feet for hosting.  And thanks also to Tri California, the Chico Kidney Biathlon, Expedition Man, and others that donated all the schwag.  I think most everyone that attended went home with something.  Pictures from the event will be posted to the website soon.  And to those new members that joined at the Launch Party, welcome to CTC!

Bidwell Classic:  CTC was well represented at Saturday's Bidwell Classic.  Thanks to those that came out and raced and/or volunteered.  It was a great morning for a run.  Pictures from the event will be posted to the website soon.

Chico Kidney Biathlon:  The first annual Chico Kidney Biathlon will take place  Saturday, March 23 at 8:00 AM at the Hooker Oak Recreation Area.  The event consists of a 5k Run followed by a 10k Bike and has individual and team categories.  The organizers have generously offered a $20 discounted registration for any current CTC member.  Contact president@chicotriathlonclub.com to request the discount code.

Green Layer Clothing Order:  CTC gear ordered through Green Layer is now in.  If you placed an order and don't yet have your gear, you can arrange pickup of your items by contacting Susan Marshall at 530-680-8848.  Susan will be discussing the next order window for CTC gear from Green Layer at Saturday's general meeting.

Squad Programs:  CTC board member Justin Waller would still like to hear from anyone who may be interested group training activities via our new squad and mentoring program.  Groups have formed for those targeting sprint, middle, and long distance races, but it's not too late to join in.  Justin will have more information about the program at Saturday's General Meeting, but feel free to contact him directly at jcwaller900 at yahoo dot com if you haven't already.

Happy training for the week of 2/25.

Launch Party on Tuesday:  CTC’s 4th Annual Launch Party is Tomorrow, February 26^th at 6:30 PM  at Fleet Feet, 241 Main Street in downtown Chico.  All current and prospective members are invited to attend.  Come meet the board and other club members in an informal setting and learn about the club's plans for 2013.  You'll hear firsthand stories from members who recently took up the sport and now want to share their experiences with others.  We'll have announcements about training, races,  and future club functions, and will have fit samples on site for those who want to place a uniform order this year.  There will be some great raffle give-a-ways along with snacks and drinks provided by Fleet Feet.  So please plan to attend and feel free to invite anyone who might be interested in learning more about the great sport of triathlon.  Please RSVP to membership@chicotriathlonclub.com if you plan to attend.

Bidwell Classic on Saturday:  CTC's second club race of the year, the Bidwell Classic, takes place this Saturday March 2nd at One Mile.  The 5k starts at 8:00 AM and the 1/2 Marathon and 1/2 Marathon relay begin at 8:10 AM.  Many club members will be racing and/or volunteering, so if you are, stop by the red CTC Pop-Up before and after, and feel free to store your gear there during the race.  You can register online through Wednesday at 5:00 PM or during packet pickup on Thursday and Friday from 10:00 AM to  6:00 PM at Fleet Feet.

First General Meeting of the Year:  Mark your calendars for Saturday 3/9 at 2:00 PM (tentatively scheduled for upstairs at the Madison Bear Garden).  More details to follow, but the primary topics will be the introduction of training plans leading up to the June Black Butte Triathlons, fit samples for this year's uniform order, and the Squad Programs.

Chico Kidney Biathlon:  The first annual Chico Kidney Biathlon will take place  Saturday, March 23 at 8:00 AM at the Hooker Oak Recreation Area.  The event consists of a 5k Run followed by a 10k Bike and has individual and team categories.  The organizers have provided five free entries to CTC which will be given away at the Launch Party raffle.  They have also generously offered a $20 discounted registration for any current CTC member.  Contact president@chicotriathlonclub.com (or reply to this email) to request the discount code.

Green Layer Clothing Order:  CTC gear ordered through Green Layer is now in.  Items can be picked up from Susan Marshall at the Launch Party.  If you placed an order and cannot attend, please contact Susan at 530-680-8848 to arrange pickup.

Squad Programs:  CTC board member Justin Waller would still like to hear from anyone who may be interested group training activities via our new squad and mentoring program.  Groups are forming for those targeting sprint, middle, and long distance races, so any and all abilities are welcome.  Justin will have more information about the program at the Launch Party, but feel free to contact him directly at jcwaller900@yahoo.com if you haven't already.

Greg Watkins

President, Chico Triathlon Club