After close to 3 years off I decided to dive back into tri’s and am looking for insight into the training scene. Mostly wondering where people train, opinions on groups/places/etc, and where might be a good place to meet like minded people (20’s and 30’s, love cycling and running). For reference I live in the NW/Pearl area (about 19th and Quimby) and work at St V’s Hospital. I have a random schedule so it’s hard to show up for training groups consistently every week. I’m not a fan of driving/traffic so ideally if I it would be nice if groups/places are not to far from home/work.
In terms of running, I’ve been going by myself or with Portland Running Company on their long run days and track work days. Thankfully I’m close to both the river trail and Forest Park which has been nice. I wouldn’t mind trying some other groups to run with as well.
Rides have been some sort of combination of Skyline, Sauvie Island, across the St Johns bridge to Marine Drive (across to Vancouver/Shillapo area, out to the Columbia River Hwy or looping back around on the Spring Water Creek Corridor). Any other must do rides around me? Also any group rides (I’ve got a road bike if required) in my area that are worth checking out? I know Athletes Lounge has a group ride on the weekend, but I like to hammer away and it appears it is a slower no drop ride and I don’t want to be “that guy.” Also, anyone have experiences with any of the cycling teams in town?
As for swimming, I’m not very good (best was mid-14’s for a 1k on 3hrs/wk of training) which plays a role on not being motivated to going. So somewhere close by me or a group that is fun to go with or would be helpful. Anyone swim with the Tualatin Hills Barracudas masters team? It looks like they do a lot of freestyle workouts. Is the Tualatin Hills Aquatic center a good place to lap swim (ie lots of lap swim availability and not too packed)? Membership there seems pretty reasonable. Anyone swim at the LA Fitness in the Pearl? It’s a half mile from my place, but it looks like there are only 3 swim lanes so I’m wondering how easy it is to get in to do a long lap swim session. The Dishman Community Center isn’t to far away so I’d be interested to know what experience anyone has had there.
Finally, any recommendations on the local clubs/teams? Thanks in advance for any advice.
The Portland Triathlon group is a good group (http://www.pdxtriclub.org).
Also, definitely check out Athlete’s lounge - great tri store and in addition they’ll have a lot of good suggestions for you.
I only travel to Portland and trail while I’m there, but you’ve already listed a lot of my favorite rides.
Running wise there is some nice “country” running out towards Hillsboro and Tanasbourne.
I’ve swam at that LA Fitness and I’ve never had trouble getting a lane to myself (but I swim mostly in the evening when I’m in Portland). Worst case, I’ve lane split once or twice.
Tons of cycling teams and rides hit up obra.org and I would recommend Portland Velo.
Not sure about swimming from the heart of Portland, but if you’re thinking Tualatin that pool can be somewhat crowded at various lap times from what my friends tell me.
Running I’m a big supporter of Portland Running Company so you can’t go wrong there…
For solo rides, it sounds like you found a bunch of the classic routes. Another fun one is the do a big loop out Hwy 30 thru Vernonia and back around through Beaverton…
Hi there,
I only swim these days, but I think you have some good options.
Dishman isn’t bad at all-a little hot sometimes. Multnomah Athletic Club is an option if you have the money, but I certainly don’t. I swim at 24 hour fitness in Hollywood half the time and with Oregon Reign masters the other half. I believe the downtown 24 has lap swimming but I’ve never tried the pool. None of those pools are amazing but you usually only split a lane and you can’t beat the convenience. For fast swimming I don’t think you can beat Reign. People drive a ways for it. Consider the Sat/Sun practices or the ones at David Douglas wouldn’t be too too far.
I do know there’s great riding on the Columbia Historic Highway, but that’s either a drive or a goodly ride on Marine Drive first. PM me if you’d like to talk more.
Hey Matt (or anyone else in PDX),
The Ironheads Triclub is hosting a “meet the team” event for any potential new members next weekend. Just a low-key get together over some beers.
If interested, feel free to drop on by and introduce yourself over a pint! J
Meet the Ironheads
When: Sunday, November 8 at 3:00 PM
Where: Lucky Labrador Brew Pub
915 SE Hawthorne Blvd
Portland, OR 97214
Check out tripdx.com. The Tuesday master swims at PSU would probably be right up your alley. Also, the Athletes Lounge Sat am rides do indeed have a no-drop component to them. However, there are almost always riders who show up that want to go a little faster and split off. This will be the case more so once cyclocross is done (in a few weeks) and more of the cycling team members show up (me included).
Thanks for the advice everyone, gives me a good idea where to start. A bit expensive and not that close to where I live right now, but having indoor and outdoor pools would be nice. Though I can’t tell what the pool lengths are on their website (look like 25 yards…)