From beginner to elite

 

USA Triathlon National Training Center in Clive offers something for everyone

 

By Dave Mable

 

Denver, Santa Monica, Scottsdale, Atlanta, Minneapolis, New Orleans, New York City and Clive all have something in common; they have facilities named by USA Triathlon (USAT), the sport’s governing body, as Performance Based National Training Centers, a designation reserved for only select locations. The YMCA Healthy Living Center, a joint venture between the YMCA, Zoom Performance and Mercy Medical Center, located at 12493 University Ave., was the recipient of that honor.

There is no denying the facility’s impressiveness, but the Des Moines suburb seems a bit out of place among such a list of elite U.S. cities. So why Clive?

Heather Glass exists the swim portion at a summer swim clinic. Photo courtesy of Heather Glass

We talked with the YMCA Healthy Living Center’s Associate Director, Jeremy Dyvig, and Zoom Performance’s owner, Matt Zepeda, to find out.

Dyvig said it was the perfect storm, a combination of a first-class fitness facility with the YMCA Healthy Living Center, exponential growth in the sport of triathlon, the YMCA’s relationship with the Mercy Medical Center and the involvement of Zoom Performance. Add the fact that Des Moines is host to the Hy-Vee Triathlon and the selection seems only natural.

USAT requires strict criteria that a facility must meet before receiving its highest designation as a Performance Based National Training Center.

“The USAT was looking for certain physical criteria,” said Dyvig. “Our facility had to have a lap pool, access to an indoor and outdoor track, nearby trails, high-quality fitness machines, conference rooms. We even needed to have easy access to local hotels for camps and clinics.”
In addition to the physical attributes, each facility must also have access to or provide sports-specific physical therapy, massage therapy and nutritional services.

“In addition to the general sports services, we have to provide triathlon-specific training and services,” said Zoom Performance owner Matt Zepeda. “Our unique partnership with the YMCA provides multiple USAT-certified coaches. In addition to the coaches, we must be able to provide specific tests and services to triathletes, like bike fitting, metabolic and lactate threshold testing and video analysis. When combining the facilities and services of the Healthy Living Center with those of Zoom Performance and the therapy services of Mercy, we met all the criteria.”

While a stamp of approval and recognition as a national training center by the USAT seems as it may have a slant toward services of elite level athletes, nothing could be further from the truth.

“While this certification brings national attention to elite athletes about our facility and programs, our objective is to serve the whole spectrum of people,” said Dyvig. “Whether participants are here for weight loss, injury rehabilitation, cancer and disease rehabilitation, learn new skills or begin training or training to win the Ironman, we welcome them and have services to help them.”

The mission of USAT confirms that: “Our mission is to encourage, support and enhance the multisport experience in the United States,” according to the USAT website. “Our vision is to engage every American in the multisport lifestyle.”

Jody Angus heads out for the run at the Copper Creek Triathlon. Photo by Megan Rangel

Is it working? We checked in with a few athletes who have used these service to see what kind of impact it can have. We asked Jody Angus, a high-school runner who found herself busy raising a daughter and twins but decided to give the sport a try; Heather Glass, a long-time athlete who enjoys the spirit of competition and joy of training; and Alex Libin, an elite level triathlete with visions of the Olympic team in his future.

Jody Angus, a mother to a 9-year old girl and 5-year-old twin boys, found new inspiration watching her 9-year-old daughter become involved in the kids triathlons in past couple of years.

“She inspired me.” said Angus. “Watching her in 2010, I thought ‘I can do this,’ so I just started swimming. I just went to the pool, watched people and worked to do it on my own.”

Having graduated with Zoom coach Zepeda, she sought his advice. Zepeda worked on a swim analysis with her and recommended she work with Zoom coach Julie Kirkpatrick.

“She was good at meeting with me on an individual basis and critiqued my running and biking technique.” said Angus. “I was able to attend the group workouts and clinics. They helped a lot, especially the swimming clinics. But even the biking, I learned how to turn and how to clip out of my pedals. They were real helpful.”

Copper Creek was Angus’ first triathlon in 2011.

“I was nervous of the swim,” said Angus, “but once I got out I was able to relax and enjoyed the bike and run leg, and I finished. It was something I wanted to accomplish, and I made it through.”

Angus also competed in the Hy-Vee triathlon in September and plans to participate in both of those events in 2012, with the addition of a half-Ironman distance event.

“I do better at longer distances,” mentioned Angus. “The coaching and clinics at the Healthy Living Center and Zoom really helped me out. It really helped me get started; they had great information.”

While Angus was new to the sport, Heather Glass has been an active athlete since she was in junior high school in Strawberry Point. She ran cross country and track in high school and continued to run through college, though not on the school team.

“I was asked to run on the (Wartburg Cross Country) team, but I didn’t want to make that my life. I like having the freedom to run when I want,” said Glass. “I like the freedom, the time alone and the chance to explore when I run. Trail running is my favorite.”

While Glass was at Wartburg College, Justin Herick was busy starting a school triathlon club and asked Glass to help. Through her involvement in the new club, mentorship by Herick, she learned to ride and swim and went on to compete in the Tri-Hawk Sprint Triathlon in 2008. Since then she’s competed in several sprint triathlons each year, now usually placing in the women’s top 10.

A free spirit, Glass enjoys the freedom to do what she likes but sees value in the structure and support offered by the USAT Training Center at the Healthy Living Center.

Alex Libon ready’s himself for the Lifetime Chicago Triathlon. Photo courtesy of Alex Libon

“The Healthy Living Center has already had a great impact on my life. It is a beautiful facility that truly focuses on that athletic “lifestyle.” From fitness programs to routine classes, it has a lot to offer already. Even though swimming is not my favorite, I love the fact that the pool is strictly for lap swimming and is easily accessible at all hours,” said Glass. “There is almost always a friendly face to chat with regarding your training and goals. Now that the Healthy Living Center is considered a National USAT Training Center, I believe it will attract even more triathlon folks and expand the still-growing triathlon community in Des Moines.”

While Glass enjoys triathlon for the sake of competition and freedom, University of Iowa student Alex Libon is fiercely competitive and seeks to find every advantage in order to move up in the national rankings and eventually make the U.S. Olympic Team.

A high school swimmer and distance runner at West Des Moines Valley and a cyclist with the Midwest Rolling Thunder race team, Libon just went through the motions. After graduating, he took time off from sports to focus on the more social aspects available to young college students. That lifestyle eventually caught up with him.

“I didn’t like how I felt. I was going downhill fast — I felt out of control,” said Libon. “I went for a bike ride and realized that competition was one area of my life that I could control — it was a great feeling.”

Once back in the sport, Libon discovered triathlon through some friends from his days racing with his cycling team and decided to give it a go. He realized that he was pretty good and made up his mind to take is as far as he can.

“I hired Zoom Performance coach JJ Bailey,” said Libon. “2011 was my best year ever. I was named an All American by USAT. With help from JJ (Bailey) and the USAT Training Center, I am hoping to have an even better 2012.”

In discussing the coaching he receives, Libon is enthusiastic.

“They help me keep the training in the right zones — I’m doing everything right,” said Libon. “As an athlete, you can’t know everything. My coach helps me peak for my ‘A’ races, helps me set my priorities so I am fresh and fast when I need to be.”

When asked about the designation of the Healthy Living Center, Libon couldn’t say enough.

“It really puts Des Moines on the national map for triathlon. It’s such and East Coast/West Coast thing — this really puts a stamp on the Midwest as a triathlon center. It will be dragging the bigger names to Des Moines, the pros will come to the Healthy Living Center and train.”

Agreeing, Zoom Coach Matt Zepeda sees value for the newcomers to the sport when the pros come to town.

“We’ve got the technology and services that are usually only available at an Olympic level training facility right here in Des Moines,” said Zepeda. “And it’s available to athletes of all abilities. One day in the pool, Olympian Hunter Kemper might be swimming in the same lane as a mom training for her first sprint triathlon. That’s super cool!”