Date:  Sunday May 3rd, 2009

Cost:  $140.00 Per Person

Email: John

Dr. Roy Till, BSc DC FCCRS(C), is an Ironman. He is a member of the Board of Directors of OAT. He is a Chiropractor. He is an avid cyclist. On top of all this, he is a really nice guy and a triathlon/multi-sport coach. So, there is nothing about triathlon/multi-sport, the skeletal/muscle structure of the human body or triathlon politics that he can not talk to you about. You have to meet this guy to really get the full experience. For what it’s worth, I have tested with Roy three times in the past two years and it has been well worth it each time and led to definate improvements in my training and performance … and I’m an old guy!

We have almost everything in place to start taking confirmed bookings for our fitness testing. The only thing we are still working on is a site. It’s 90 per cent in the bag, we just need to confirm it. What I can tell you is it will be in Durham and it’s not costing the club anything. That is good because it helps keep the testing costs down.

Presently, I have received 15 e-mails of interested in our Fitness Testing. There will only be a maximum of 12 spots available for the day. On top of that, The Georgian Bay Club and the Kincardine Club have also been invited to take part. Two spot are already booked and paid for. So, that means that, as of right now there are 10 spots left.

Please read this e-mail carefully and if you have any questions, e-mail me ASAP.

First, we have decided to do the testing on bikes only, Not only do they give better test numbers on power, but good quality treadmills are very hard to make mobile and sites with appropriate treadmills cost money which drive the costs up. So, we all have bikes, so we’ll all test on our rides. Besides, you will be more comfortable on your own bike, and there’s nothing like riding until failure. LOL.

With that in mind, you will need to bring your bike with you to testing. The added bonus is that Roy will notice if you have a good fit or not on your bike…….very important!

Second, during the test you will be wearing a neoprene mask on your face that helps collect gases and other things as part of the testing. These masks are reusable and only you will be using your mask. The cost of the mask is included in the testing fee. So, save your mask and take care of it, and the next time you test you will already have one and the cost of your next testing will significantly reduced.

Some of you will be coming from certain areas of our region. Once all the participants are registered, I will forward a list of them to all the registered participants so you can plan to share rides or other resources, if you like.

Next, we will be attempting to organize a staggered schedule and run two testing stations at the same time. This will allow us to test more athletes in a shorter amount of time. With any luck, we may be able to shorten the test times down a little with less waiting time while setting up each test. I will contact each of the registered participants with scheduling information as the testing day approaches. If you have any definite times when you can not test on that day, contact me ASAP so I can make the appropriate scheduling arrangements.

If you take the testing, on the day of testing wear cycling clothes and be prepared with dry replacement clothes and a towel or two. There is no polite way to put this … you are going to sweat - a lot. There will be change room facilities. I’m not sure about showers at this point. I will confirm this information with you later. Bring water bottles with you and food for energy. Come early so you are prepared and you are not holding up the testing schedule. You may find it fun to watch others testing. You are welcome to watch.

I will not tell you too much about the actual testing. This is your fun and I don’t want to wreck it for you. LOL.

I will say that some do last quite a while. Most will be about the same time. Time is not the only indicator of fitness. Power and endurance are measured by many different indicators. By example, when Ann and I tested the first time with Roy, I lasted a little longer in the test but Ann’s testing showed that, compared to mine, she was more powerful per pound of mass than I was. So, fitness testing results are measure from all markers in the test not just one or two. This way you get a complete picture of your fitness and training results. Relax, it will be fun!

Fitness Testing will take place on Sunday, May 3, 2009. As stated before, a schedule will be sent to you and we will try to accommodate everyone’s preferred time. However, scheduling will be on a first-come first-serve basis unless previous arrangements have been made. You will be notified of the site later but I will tell you it will be in Durham.

The usual cost of fitness testing is $175.00 per person. Roy will doing the testing for a special price of $140.00 per person.  As stated before, that cost includes your test mask and all your test results, plus any consultations with Roy. As well, remember the mask is reusable, so take care of it for future tests and your future testing costs will be reduced. Personally, I get tested in the fall and in the spring each year, and my mask is still in excellent condition.

I’m sure many of will have questions. Please ask them and I will find the answers for you. Remember, interest is high and space is limited. Book your testing ASAP.

Lastly, for now, we would like to arrange a social time after the testing is completed for the day. We have invited Roy to stick around after to meet you and talk triathlon with you. Who knows, we may even be able to talk him into a short ride.

I look forward to hearing from you, and if you have any questions, please contact me.

Cheers

John E.