On the exciting changes in the SRA indoor training facility!
SRA will be opening its door to its current (and potentially new) members for indoor training. I have spent the last month accumulating equipment to stock this facility for use as an off water training site. In years past we have used a local gym as our training site, while we are grateful for the accommodation the gym showed us, it made sense when we built the boathouse to incorporate the ability to train on our own equipment and in our own facility. I was originally excited to issue a grand opening in 2008… but our very excited masters have persuaded me to push the time frame forward a month.
So, beginning on Dec 3rd, the SRA masters program will be running it’s own indoor training session - coached by Bob Tarrant. The training hours are listed on the SRA website. Those wishing to join this program should contact Anne at SRA (518) 587-6697. The cost for Adult membership is $35. For those who are members already and are also members of the Masters program, the cost is $200 for Dec-May. (note the space will be reduced in size at the end of March… Still available, but smaller). Those who are not registered in the Saratoga Masters program will still need to be members of SRA, but the cost for the indoor training will be $215 (plus your $35 membership). We are happy to provide this training at such a great rate ($200 for 6 months of coached practice) because we believe it will make us a fitter, and faster club. If you have any old but functional equipment that could further enhance our facility that you would like to donate, please contact Anne. I will not promise to accept your equipment though…
Masters, please be patient as things are worked out in Dec. to ensure our facility runs well… You may find your favorite treadmill moved or the weights reorganized… It will take me a month to see how traffic flows best.
Understanding that the juniors are now probably getting jealous that the Masters get to start training in December… I will make mention of the exciting new pieces of the Jr indoor training. Similar to the Masters program, we also will train in the SRA boathouse.
Some differences from years past: the varsity athletes will be starting in January (in fact, I hear the boys are starting with the First Night run). This is a bit earlier than we have started in years past. This was done intentionally. I would like the varsity to have a little bit more time to get in shape. In years past, we started late and “rushed” ourselves into shape. Having the luxury of a little more time should make the workouts more enjoyable and provide you with the time necessary to achieve your goals. We will start practicing 2 days a week, then 3, then 4, etc… For those of you who are having a difficult time staying in shape outside the boathouse on your own, I will be making the boathouse available during non-masters time slots for “varsity open row” in Dec. This will not be a coached session, but just a place to go when you cannot run outside.
For the novices things are changing a little bit as well. Novices will be starting training in Feb and have their “open hours” in Jan. Again, please remember, the “open” hours are not required, and not part of the training plan. They have no cost associated with them for those who are members of the Junior competitive programs.
For Varsity: Dec “open hours” are free and Jan, Feb, Mar indoor training is $200
For Novice: Jan “open hours” are free and Feb, Mar indoor training is $125
For Masters: Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, ½ May indoor training is $200
For Alumni still in school: Winter break (call for pricing)
All groups should understand that the space will be used by over 200 people. Obviously we cannot have everyone in the boathouse at once. There will be a strict schedule of training hours and open hours. We must all compromise a little bit on the schedule and respect each squad’s need for training time. The schedule will be posted on the SRA website: Indoor Schedule.
