I just moved to the Durham area, and was wondering if there was anywhere close by to get swim lessons to improve my technique. After reading several posts on ST, I agree that technique is more important than volume. I have done zero swimming prior to an Ironman and lots of swimming prior and I always come out of the water between 1:20 and 1:30 no matter how much I swim. So I stopped swimming since it seems worthless until I improve my technique. I’d prefer private lessons over Master’s due to my schedule, I wouldn’t be able to make most of the Master’s sessions. I sent an e-mail to Duke Aquatics , but never got a response. Also, are there any olympic pools in the area that the public can use? I’m sure Duke University must have one somewhere. Thanks.
There are several good coaches in the Triangle Area if you want private lessons, personally I have worked with Randy Bernard from Trimycoach.com and know of others that have worked with Jackie Miller of Britfit. You may also want to stop in Inside Out Sports to see if they have a recommendation. As far as pools in Durham I am not sure as I live in Wake Forest and swim at the YMCA (several of the local Y’s have decent 25 yrd pools), and there are a few very good public swimming facilities that have long course set up on certain days (Optamist is the one near me). Hope this helps and welcome to the Triangle, great Tri community here…
Thanks for the info. After moving out here from the west coast , I was surprised to learn of the big triathlon community in NC. I checked out the trimycoach website, and it looks like it offers everything I need for my training, now if I can find a pool close to the Duke campus I’ll be set.
I swim with the UNC Masters group and we are fortunate to be coached by the same coaches that train the collegiate teams. I believe several of them also offer private lessons. The website is www.ncacswim.org.
Although it would be a bit of a drive for you, the Gold’s Gym at Northpoint Mall (in Raleigh) has Olivier Arondeau, who coaches swimming and triathlon (certified for both). I believe he coaches on the side as well as through Golds, although I’m not certain the best way to reach him.
have not visited the pool or track myself but pulled this off the Athletic Minded Traveler site, usually very reliable, I have run the Al Buehler trail it is excellent and very hilly…also if you ever want to drive over, Umstead park has miles of bridle trail where it is easy to get in long training runs, very hilly and worth the short drive for your long runs…hope all this helps and welcome to the Triangle Campus Hills Pool
Campus Hills Pool
2000 S. Alston Ave.
Durham, NC 27707
(919) 560-4781
website
Set Campus Hills Pool as my saved location
Area: Raleigh-Durham
Category: Swimming Pool
This is the best public lap pool facility in Durham. As such, it can get crowded during the lunch hour with corporate, swimmers. Campus Hills makes eight lanes of 25 yard swimming available for their fish-like friends. Count on competition-quality features such as bottom stripes and floating lane lines, pace clocks, and all the toys you need. Drop-in admission is cheap at $2.50/day. Bring your own towel and lock. Member Reviews
Mark Smith says:
The fee for out-of-town lap swimmers is now $3. There is a USMS team (DAMA) that swims at Campus Hills pool as well, drop-ins are welcome during our workouts, though you still must pay the Campus Hills pool fee. Times are posted on the DAMA team’s web site: http://www.dama.nseg.net/ (click on the “Information” graphic at the top of the page)
Check the Campus Hills pool schedule here: http://www.ci.durham.nc.us/departments/parks/aquatics.cfm for updates on hours and fees.
http://www.ci.durham.nc.us/departments/parks/aquatics.cfm
I have run the All Beuhler Trail, great hilly running
Al Buehler Trail
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Al Buehler Trail
Running Route
Area: Raleigh-Durham
Named after Duke University’s popular Track and Cross Country coach, the Al Buehler trail is a 3.1 mile (5k) dirt single track that is popular with recreational runners and serves as the home course for Duke’s cross country team. For years the team made do running across the golf course for their training, until university officials and Buehler got together and cut this meandering path through the dense woods bordering the fairways. The best place to pick it up is right in front of the Washington Duke Inn—parking is available. You may even catch Buehler himself running the rolling trail since he tries to jog it 5 days a week. Just call out, “Buehler…Buehler…Buehler,”—sorry, we couldn’t resist.
Duke University Track
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Duke University Track
website
Running Route
Area: Raleigh-Durham
Division I college facilities that are open to the public are an athletic-minded treat. A picture is worth a thousand words, so we took a couple shots for your edification. This is a top notch 400-meter track—what else would you expect from Duke University, right? Come here for some measured miles or a few fartlek/interval sessions and leave with a sweat and a smile.
Getting there: Once crossing or turning off Cameron Drive, follow the entrance road and after about a quarter-mile you should see an “Athletics” sign on the right with a paved road that heads up a small hill. Follow the road to the cul-de-sac and the track will be on your right—across from Duke Basketball’s famed Cameron Hall Indoor Stadium.
Note: Web link and address are to Cameron
75% of my long runs are in Umstead, it rocks!!! William B. Umstead State Park
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William B. Umstead State Park
website
Running Route
Area: Raleigh-Durham
Umstead Park is a state treasure trove of 5,577 untouched acres, 3 lakes, 22 miles of hiking trails, and 13 miles of mountain bike/horse riding paths. The park has two entrances, one off I-70 and another at the Harrison Ave. exit off I-40. The Reedy Creek entrance from I-40 will be more convenient for most travelers staying in the Research Triangle area, and is especially convenient for those guests of the Embassy Suites, Hilton Garden Inn, and other neighboring hotels. Be sure to grab a map at any of the information stands—the trails are well marked, but it’s best to be safe and the paper maps will comfortably fit in a pocket, sock, or under a hat.
Mountain bikes and horses are not allowed on the separate hiking trails, but joggers are allowed on both the bike trails and the hiking paths—though the wider bike/ride trails are somewhat easier to navigate.
Tenting and camping are also available throughout the park, as well as fishing and canoe rental.
Getting there: After heading north across I-40 on Harrison, you will come to a fork in the road about a half-mile from the interstate. Hiking/jogging trail head access, a parking lot, bathrooms, and map boxes, are a couple hundred yards to the left, so go that way. From there, begin your fun after getting a map. And, if you’re on a bike, follow the road back to the fork and pick up the mountain bike trail at the end of the right fork road.
Park Hours: November – February 8a to 6p
March, October 8a to 7p
April, May, September 8a to 8p
June – August 8a to 9p
wow! thanks for all the info. I should have asked a month ago. I have run on the Al Beuhler trail, and it is awesome since I can run to it from my house, but i definately think the drive over to Umstead would be worth it for long runs.
So where do you guys recommend cycling around the area?
Thanks again!
I live in Wake Forest and ride a lot of variations of the rides listed on this website http://www.ncbikeclub.org/queue_sheets/ncbcqueue.htm out of Blue Jay Point Park which are nice rides, I know that sometimes I end up in Durham county but not really sure which of these routes come close to the Duke campus…