Team X training: Team X provides a fully integrated, 3 discipline training program with coaches in attendance for swim, run, cycle and transition workouts. Our seasonal plans focuson two or three peak short course (Olympic distance) competitions which are goalraces common to team members. While these focal competitions form the basis for our training plans, accommodations for individual members (ie long course athletes) with slightly different goals are provided. Swimming: All our pool swim training takes place at the Crystal Recreation Center. We have pool space for long course (50M) training with coaches on deck 6 days per week. During pre-competition season, our Saturday morning pool sessions consist of open water preparation. During these sessions we have ½ the long course pool reserved. These workouts are unconventional pool workouts involving swims around buoy courses simulating open water competitions. Once the weather is conducive, usually late May or early June, we begin open water training at Thetis Lake. These sessions are usually conducted on alternate days with pool training sessions, two to three times per week. All our open water training is done on closed buoy circuits in the lake, and are with a coach, support boat, first aid and life-saving gear, and communications equipment present at all times. Cycling: During the winter months our members train twice per week on stationary bikes. Structured interval training progressions are provided for our athletes to follow. Members are expected to do individual rides as well to fill prescribed weekly volume. These rides are not coached, nor are specific routes designated. Many times teammates will get together informally to do these filler rides, making the sessions safer and more enjoyable. As spring and summer approach, our focus turns to more structured group sessions. Coached interval workouts on hills and at the velodrome track become part of our weekly routine (usually twice per week in place of trainer workouts). Group rides on the roads around Greater Victoria are conducted with a support vehicle in attendance. Cautionary signage, first aid, bike repair gear and communications equipment are always present in the support car on these rides. Radio contact is maintained between the support vehicle and at least one experienced rider in the pack during these rides. Running: Our members typically run three to four times per week. At various times in the training season these runs will involve circuit training, long and short interval training, or base runs to build aerobic conditioning. At least two of these training sessions per week are with a coach in attendance. A variety of run venues are utilized, including the track at University of Victoria stadium, and running trails (such as Elk/Beaver Lake) around the greater Victoria area. Transition: Swim/bike/run and bike/run transition workouts (bricks) are the pivotal workout of our training week. They take place on Saturday mornings throughout the training season at various locations around Victoria. As competition season draws near these workouts take on more and more a flavor of race simulations, emphasizing fast turnover between the three disciplines. Again, these sessions are always coached, and the cycling portions are with a support vehicle and all the attendant safety gear.