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OTC FirstTri

Tri-curious? Welcome home.

OTC FirstTri is a beginner-friendly, coached triathlon program for those who want teammates and guidance for their first — or nearly first — triathlon. Whether you're new to the club, new to the sport, or have been meaning to finally do this — this program was built for you.

You'll receive a group training plan, access to skill clinics, and the support of a coach. We'll be with you all the way from your first workout to the finish line at Santa Cruz Triathlon on September 27.

Sign Up for OTC FirstTri


OTC FirstTri — Oakland Triathlon Club

WHAT IS OTC FIRSTTRI?

OTC FirstTri provides a coached 12-week Sprint or 16-week Olympic training program delivered on the TrainingPeaks app. OTC will provide coaching and cohort support through Zoom sessions, Slack chat, and the occasional happy hour. Train on your own, join OTC's weekly workouts, or mix them both.

OTC is a club that believes anyone who moves with intention is an athlete. If you've been on the multisport fence, this is your cue to get off and fly!

WHAT YOU GET

Every participant receives an OTC team shirt and a complete training package.

Training Plan

  • 12-week Sprint or 16-week Olympic plan on TrainingPeaks
  • Base, build, and taper phases with periodization
  • 60–100 workouts with instruction notes
  • Optional tri-specific stretching and strength work
  • Threshold test workouts for Olympic Intermediate athletes

Coaching & Clinics

  • Coach available at workouts, on Slack, and biweekly Zooms
  • Guidance on swim, bike & run technique, gear, maintenance, nutrition
  • 4 formal coached clinics
  • Coach on-site at Santa Cruz Triathlon on race day

Community

  • Dedicated OTC FirstTri Slack channel
  • Unlimited Slack DM to your coach
  • Biweekly Zoom calls
  • Full OTC membership: weekly workouts, happy hours, gear swaps, end-of-season party

COACHED CLINICS

Your coach is available throughout the program — at select workouts, on Slack, and on biweekly Zooms. Guidance on swim technique, gear, run and bike technique, maintenance, and nutrition is woven into the program from start to finish. There are four formal clinics:

Endurance Training 101 Virtual

An introduction to training concepts, zones, and what to expect from the program. This is your foundation.

Transitions Clinic In Person

Learn how to move efficiently between swim, bike, and run so there's nothing new on race day.

Open Water Clinic In Person

Covers starting, sighting, drafting, buoys, contact, cold water, and everything else you need to manage the swim.

Race Prep Briefing Virtual

A final rundown before race day — logistics, pacing strategy, what to pack, what to expect.

OTC members not enrolled in FirstTri can join individual clinics for a fee.

WHICH DISTANCE IS FOR YOU?

OTC FirstTri is designed for athletes who can already swim, bike, and walk/run — not necessarily well, but well enough that you're tri-curious.

Here is the longest single workout in each discipline during the first week. Pick the plan that feels feasible in your weakest discipline. There will be 4–6 workouts per week and volume will build upward from here.

PlanSwimBikeWalk/Run
Sprint — 12 weeks300y30 min20 min
Olympic 1 — beginner, 16 weeks600y60 min20 min
Olympic 2 — intermediate, 16 weeks1000y90 min35 min

Note: this is not a learn-to-swim program. If you need to build your swim base first, OTC's weekly coached swim workouts are a great place to start. More info in the FAQ.

TIMELINE

Athletes can join OTC FirstTri at any time after the program starts, but we recommend starting your plan 12 to 16 weeks before Santa Cruz Triathlon to get the full benefit of the program.

PlanStart dateRace date
Sprint — 12 weeksJuly 6September 27
Olympic — 16 weeksJune 8September 27

WHAT IT COSTS

$349
for the FirstTri training program

Plus an OTC annual membership: $125 individual or $200 family.

Your OTC membership provides access to the full club: coached and member-led swim, bike, run, and track workouts year-round; loaner gear; race discounts; and a strong, welcoming community in the East Bay.

Sliding-scale scholarships are available for participants for whom the program cost would be a hinderance. Reach out to us at info@oaklandtriclub.com to inquire.

OTC WEEKLY WORKOUTS

The training plan is yours to do on your own schedule. However, OTC keeps a weekly workout calendar, and joining the group is one of the best ways to stay connected and accountable.

DayWorkoutTime
MondaySwim6:00 pm
TuesdayTrack6:30 am
WednesdayBike6:00 pm
ThursdayTrail Run6:00 pm
SaturdayBike~8:00 am
SundayOpen Water Swim~7:30 am

I'M READY - WHAT'S NEXT?

1
Click here to sign up for the program

And join OTC as a member if you haven't already.

2
Watch for your welcome emails

You'll receive two — one welcoming you to OTC and one welcoming you to FirstTri. Together they cover TrainingPeaks setup, joining the OTC FirstTri Slack channel, and what to do before the kickoff.

3
Join the virtual kickoff

Meet your coach and your cohort, get your questions answered, and get ready to start.

4
Start your training plan

4–6 workouts per week. Your coach and cohort have your back.

I'M ALMOST READY, BUT I HAVE QUESTIONS…

Join one of our info sessions with our coach — or view the recording afterward:

Session 1
May 12
5:30 pm
Session 2
May 26
5:30 pm
Session 3
June 9
5:30 pm
Session 4
June 23
5:30 pm
Session 5
July 7
5:30 pm

Or read through our FAQs below.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Do I have to do the workouts with the OTC group?
No. We're really excited to meet you, so we hope to see you out there — but you don't need to train with OTC at all. We know from experience there's no single schedule that works for everyone. You can still connect with your coach and others through biweekly Zoom calls, the OTC FirstTri Slack channel, OTC happy hours, and on race day. How much you connect with the group is entirely up to you.
Can I switch plans after I've started?
Yes. Just tell your coach once you're in the program.
What equipment do I need?

Less than you might think. Here are the basics to get started:

  • Swimsuit and goggles
  • A bike that fits you, is in good working order, and is safe
  • Bike helmet
  • Bike water bottle cages
  • Flat kit, bike lights, multitool — anything that keeps you safe and independent on the road
  • Running shoes

Eventually you'll need a wetsuit (rentals available) and an open water safety buoy. We'll cover everything else during the program.

What if I miss a clinic?
Virtual clinics will be recorded and shared. For in-person clinics, we'll send you the content so you can review the material on your own. The coach and other members can fill in the gaps easily — most people get to the start and finish line just fine.
I don't have a TrainingPeaks account. Do I need one?
Yes. You'll need to create a free, basic TrainingPeaks account and connect it to your coach. You have the option to upgrade to a Premium account, which provides more data analysis and communication tools — but it's not required.
What if life gets busy and I fall behind on the plan?
This happens to triathletes all the time. At the Sprint and Olympic distances, most people can miss some training and still complete their race. If you're worried about a busy stretch, the Sprint plan has the highest margin for error. Look ahead at your calendar and give your coach as much notice as possible — the earlier they know, the more they can help you plan around it.
Will the coach tailor the plan to my schedule, injuries, or goals?
The program runs on a standardized group plan. But your coach can provide guidance on modifications in Zoom calls, on Slack, and at workouts. And your fellow OTC members have done this before — that's one of the real advantages of training with a club.
What if I can't make it to Santa Cruz Tri?
You don't have to race. Many triathletes are in it for the training, the fitness, and the lifestyle. If you have a different race in mind, the program works just as well as preparation for any Sprint or Olympic distance event.
What is the refund policy?
Program fees and membership fees are generally non-refundable. If you have questions or extenuating circumstances, reach out to us at [email].
I can't yet swim the required distance — can I still join?
You don't need to swim the stated distance continuously — yet. If you can cover the distance in one workout with brief rest as needed, you're ready. If you're not there yet, we recommend joining OTC and attending our coached swim workouts to build your base. We also have coaching referrals available for one-on-one swim instruction. The program will be here when you're ready.
I'm already an OTC member — do I still pay the $349?
Yes. The $349 covers the FirstTri program. Your membership fee is separate.

READY TO TRI?

Sign up for OTC FirstTri and join us at the Santa Cruz Triathlon on September 27.

Sign Up for OTC FirstTri

Questions? Reach us at info@oaklandtriclub.com


Contact Us

Email OTC


Oakland Triathlon Club is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. Oakland, California. 

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