Summer Training

Swimming

Tuesday Evenings - Sandford Lido

We have the whole pool and run 10 lanes each with a different pace group ranging from sub 24 minutes/1500m to 34+ minutes/1500m.

Saturday Mornings - Sandford Lido

We have half the pool and run 6 different ability lanes.

Saturday Mornings - Lake 12 Cirencester Water Park

We arrange a number of sessions throughout the summer in Lake 12 of the Cirencester water park for open water training.

Saturday Evenings - St Edwards Pool

We have the whole pool and run 4 lanes and 4 ability groups.

We get together at least 10 minutes before the start of each session for a briefing and to enable warm-up to start on time.

The summer swim sessions are primarily focused on building endurance and speed in the lead up to and throughout the race season. We do however still reserve some time within the sessions for drills as it is important to maintain technique whilst building speed. Also wetsuits are allowed in the Lido which is ideal for those members who compete in open water races.

The Club hires the lanes and provides coaching and members pay £4 to the Coach or Treasurer on poolside. We also run a frequent swimmer scheme whereby members pay in advance for a seasons swimming in return for a generous discount.

Biking

Whiteway - normally one Sunday per month.(map)

This is a session to build speed endurance on the bike where members ride on a predetermined heart rate over just short of 19 miles after about a 3 mile warm up. We have a sociable spin back at the end making it around 30 miles in all. Members training for longer triathlon events repeat the 19 mile effort in the reverse direction making about 44 miles in all.

Stanway - normally one Sunday per month.(map)

This session is to maintain strength and build climbing speed on the bike via a series of hill repeats on Stanway hill. The aim is to remain seated and ride the highest gear possible whilst maintaining a cadence of around 60 rpm for the first few reps and then to do the remainder standing at race pace. It also helps develop bike handling and descending skills on the way down!

Both these sessions are individual training sessions where members train at their own levels. They are not group rides. There is a group social element in the spin back from Whiteway and also for some members who choose to ride out to Stanway Hill from Cheltenham to warm up and spin back to cool down.

Bredon Circuit - normally one Sunday per month.(map)

This is a "Sportive" style group ride where members split into groups of similar ability. It makes for a more social training ride whilst allowing members to learn the etiquette of group riding and gives confidence in riding both quickly and safely with other riders.

Events.

To help build speed and endurance members compete in a number of cycling events including time trials organised by the Cheltenham and County Cycling Club (details) (results) and Cyclo Sportives.

Running

We do not organise any formal running training during the summer. Members train individually and some compete in local races from 5k to 10k to sharpen their race pace for triathlon.