I just moved into the DC area (Fairfax) and I’m looking for groups/teams/people to train with. I’m training for IMLP this year; What I’m looking for is a good (clean and not too crowded) lap pool in the Fairfax area, a good tri club (is DC Tri Club the one?), some good groups to ride with, and some good running groups, preferably out west near Fairfax. I ran with Potomac Runners along the Mt. Vernon Trail when I lived here about 5 years ago, but that’s a little far from where I live now.
You can join the George Mason Aquatic Center on Campus. Mornings are not to busy and the pool is top notch and quite cold. The Mason swim team usually takes up half the pool but in the past I’ve rarely shared a lane. On any given day you could be swimming next to Kate Zeiger or Allan Webb.
Triteamz and Tri RATS both look pretty good. I tried to contact DC Tri Club about membership (you have to get added to their listserv before you can join), but never heard back, so I’ll probably try to hook up with one of the others.
Question about TeamZ, if you join them, do you have to use Coach Ed? And is it expensive? I didn’t see a membership price.
No, Virginia Square Metro is where the Arlington campus and law school is - no facilities there. I’m talking about the main campus in Fairfax off Braddock RD. There is also a nice pool at the Manassas campus but that’s a bit out of the way for most.
I’m very active with the RATS in Reston. Once spring rolls around we meet on Saturdays in Herndon and do rides varying from 30-100 miles out in rural Loudon County. We also do Wednesday nuight intervel sessions at the South Lakes HS track. Come join us. In the meantime you should join our list-serve. it’s always a great place to get training buddies and training advice. I hope to see you around and meet.
I live in DC and work in Crystal City in Arlington. I have a membership at the Sport & Health chain, which has a decent 6 lane 25yd pool at least in the Crystal City location. The Mt. Vernon trail is great for running (and adjacent to my gym), and you might want to check out the W&OD trail as well. Since I’m in DC, I’m a fan of riding up to rural MD via Beach Dr. or River Rd., which might be a little far from Fairfax, but it’s an option.
The only place that I know LOCALLY (i.e. metro DC) where you can LEGALLY swim open water is Lake Montclair in Prince William County. It’s location of the aptly names Montclair triathlon first put together by Shandra Wrinkle and now administreed by SetUp Events. Check it out once weather gets better. A little farther away is Lake Anna which also allows swimming.
Yeah, boy Montclair’s quite a hike. It looks like I’ll to get most of my swims in for IMLP in the pool But, then again, swimming in mirror lake is almost like swimming in a pool anyway.
Hey, I’m also new in DC/Fairfax (I’m from Chicago & spoiled by Lake Michigan decent trade-off as the bike routes are supreme). Can anyone else recommend open-water swimming as well as indoor swimming venues?
I suppose I’m trying to revive this thread (thanks BWill. for starting it).
I know it’s an old thread but wondered if you found any good places for long rides since you posted. I’m in the exact same boat you were in a year ago. New to Fairfax, closer to Burke and signed up for LP. I did a scouting ride on the path along Fairfax County Parkway and learned I need to find something better.