If you've been thinking about trying out multi sport events, USAT certified triathlon coach Ryan Hill is here to help you train and guide you along the road to success! Ryan will be running our Triathlon Training program this year offering members weekly and private training to get into the best race shape possible.

If you are unfamiliar with the long list of multi sport races in the Pacific Northwest, take a look at Ryan's "short list" below, or check out trifind.com.

Summer is race season in Seattle! As your training headquarters, we've put together a small list of upcoming races. If you are considering a race, here are some of Seattle's mainstays to think about.

Seattle's Race for the Cure

Even though it can be hard to convince a non-exerciser of this, those of us who exercise regularly know that the days you feel least like working out are usually the days you need it the most. Dragging yourself off the couch to the park, to the gym, or to the pool pays off in an energy-boost that you really can't get any other way. This counter-intuitive observation (how can expending energy give you even more energy?) is what kept me swimming through 2007, with the help and encouragement of my SAC support system.

In January of last year, the US Masters Swimming association announced a new fitness program, called "Go the Distance". I downloaded the special spreadsheet and recorded my distance each time I swam. At the end of every month, I emailed my total to the event director, who posted everyone's mileage on the national web site so we could track our progress. I started out strong, logging over 25 miles a month in my first two months.

Then in March, I was diagnosed with thyroid cancer - and started a series of tests and treatments that stretched into July (I'm doing fine now). The first thing I did when I learned the diagnosis was head for the pool. Although my monthly distances dropped off due to my surgery and follow up treatment, I swam when I could, and with Dan Lavin's support and coaching I was even able to compete in the USMS National Championship meet in Federal Way, in the midst of it all. I didn't know what to expect, because the meet was just 2 weeks after my surgery, but I figured I'd at least be able to tell my future grandchildren that I once swam in a national championship meet. So, along with my SAC teammate Dave Newton, I entered the meet, swam in three events, set two new personal best times, and medaled in the 200-yard backstroke!

After nationals, I had more treatment, which kept me out of the pool again. By the time that was completed, it was open-water swim season, and I was training for the Whitefish Lake (Montana) mile swim at the end of August. Along with my husband Miles, fellow SAC swimmer Louise Pietrafesa, and various other brave souls, I was swimming in Lake Washington by late June, and the Whitefish Lake swim was a piece of cake compared to some of our rough-water training swims.

Fast forward to the end of November - I checked my total distance for the year and discovered that I had swum 215 miles - just 35 short of the 250 mile mark that would get me a special achievement patch from USMS. So, I decided to go for it. I figured out my daily and weekly goals, and stuck with my schedule through the month of December. Even when pool repairs caused the water temperature to drop to a chilly 74 degrees, I was there. I swam my last mile on New Years Eve, at the Monday morning swim conditioning class, with Dan and my fellow swimmers cheering me on. A few weeks later, I got my patch and was showing it off when someone asked, "So how many lengths of the pool is that?" Well, I did the math, and it comes out to 22,000 lengths of our 20-yard pool. That's a lot of flip turns!

"To say that Rebecca is an inspiration is putting it mildly. I've had the opportunity to work with Rebecca for several years now, and she continues to amaze me with her dedication, desire to learn and improve, and help others discover the passion she has found in swimming. Whether it's training for a particular swim meet (short or long course) or open water season, Rebecca stands out when it comes to "what it takes" to achieve a goal."

This inspiring class will teach kids (ages 4-8) the fundamentals of yoga, and fun it will be. With a spirit of exploration we will stretch, strengthen, balance, breathe and relax. We will travel on imaginative journeys with our bodies and through visualization. We will sing and play games. Yoga is a non-competitive holistic art that supports kids to be in tune with themselves and others, to connect with their beautiful hearts and internal strength. This will be a creative and expansive experience!

Tuesdays at 3:30 pm
Begins June 17th - 4 week series
Sign up deadline: June 16th

Saturdays at 9:00 am
Begins June 21st - 4 week series
Sign up deadline: June 20th

$40 + tax for 4 week series or sign up for both Tuesday and Saturday classes for $64 (8 classes).

Sign up for either session at the Sports Desk or with Dana Hansen.