Chris,

I did most of my training with Sharon deMaria Osgood and Alexis Waddel Smith who run Monterey Bay Multisport (MBM) (http://www.eteamz.com/montereybaymultisport/index.cfm?). They have several training options that include everything from an “Intro to Triathlon” class at Monterey Peninsula College (MPC) ($40 per semester), to training on the MBM team ($600 for the year = $50 a month), to detailed personalized coaching ($200 a month). Being new to triathlon when I got out to Monterey, I started with the class at MPC and eventually moved to the personalized coaching. The coaching was very good as Sharon has a great deal of coaching experience at the National level, and Alexis is currently a pro triathlete. Additionally, the team camaraderie is quite strong with a range of athletic ability from beginner to elite that means you will have someone about your speed to push you.

As for bike groups, I occasionally rode with the Velo Club Monterey (http://www.vcmonterey.org/) who have a variety of rides throughout the week. Again, this is a very amicable group with a range of abilities to which their rides are tailored.

There is another bike group in the area with whom I have not ridden called the Monterey Bay Racing Team (http://www.montereybayracingteam.com/), who are very active and competitive.

For swimming, there are three options I know of. First is the indoor heated pool at Monterey Sports Center (http://www.monterey.org/sportscenter/). At $6 for daily admission, it is the most expensive option, but it is the nicest facility with the best hours. They also have month, 6 month, and year memberships that include use of their extensive weight and cardio equipment.

Next is the pool at California State University Monterey Bay (CSUMB) (http://sports.csumb.edu/site/Documents/airs/pool_brochure.pdf). Admission is $2 per day for active military and monthly, 6 month, and annual memberships are available. The pool is outdoors and heated, but has very limited hours of operation.

The third option is the pool at MPC. This pool is not open to the public, but you can sign up for a swim class at MPC to use it (Classes at MPC cost $20.00 per unit).

For open-water swimming, there is a group that swims at 6pm next to the wharf every Friday. At some point (probably soon) they shift the swim to Lover’s Point. Again, very cool group, most are triathletes.

I can’t speak for running clubs from personal experience, though a google search yielded the “Wednesday Night Laundry Runners” (http://wnlr.org/) who appear to have many scheduled group runs listed on their webpage here on the Monterey Peninsula. Perhaps some of the other M2T2 guys can speak to that.

As for races, the biggest name in triathlon around here is TriCalifornia (http://www.tricalifornia.com/). They put on very well-organized events, though you will be paying a little extra for it. Additionally, there is a company called Total Body Fitness (http://www.totalbodyfitness.com/) who organize many triathlons in the San Francisco/ Sacramento area. Another useful link is the Northern California Triathlon Calendar (http://www.changeofpace.com/ncalifornia_triathlon_calendar.htm) that lists many of the events going on in the area. A website called Trifind also lists triathlon and multisport events in the entire state of California (http://www.trifind.com/ca.html). Also, www.TheSchedule.com tracks a variety of athletic events by state, month, and type of event. Finally, if you feel like running a half down in San Diego, I highly recommend the SuperFrog triathlon (or the Olympic-distance SuperSeal) that Naval Special Warfare puts on every year in Coronado (http://www.superfrogtriathlon.com/index.html).

That’s about everything I can think of. I’m sure there is more stuff out there, but this is what I’ve been able to find in my year here so far. I’ll be headed to Pensacola at the end of the month, but I am more than willing to answer any questions you have.

-Chris McCook