You have to act quickly to get your order in for January shipment of the snazzy and distinctive M2 kit – November 30th to be exact.   http://m2rev.blogspot.com/2011/11/kit-ordering-january-delivery.html

Order now to look your best in 2012!

Whether you are training for an specific event or just want the company and camaraderie of a motivated group of riders/runners, the M2 Group Program is a great way to gain fitness and skills. 

M2 training is characterized by:

• Smart performance training methodology versus fitness-stagnation and training joy buzz-kill volume and more volume overkill.
• Blending challenge, adventure, and our beautiful surroundings to test one’s mettle in preparation.  Boring mind-numbing workouts are not part of our training lexicon!
• Group camaraderie fostered by a premiere training center and weekend group outings. 
• Value!  All cycling classes included, Vasa Trainer, Alter-G, training program, weekend outings.

Our groups launch in December and January, and you can save $50 if you register by December 1 – see details below.

Mentor & Training Philosophy

Are you looking to challenge yourself at the Ironman or 70.3 distance in 2011, and are:

• Perhaps intimidated by the volume of training you might feel is required?
• An experienced endurance athlete but looking for a distinct approach with a proven track record ?
• Looking for a more hands-on program with regular weekly access to your coach and cycling classes?

Performance is not a mere slogan for Michael McCormack - M2 is a two-time professional Ironman Champion and has been coaching athletes since 1994. Known for his innovative training methodologies, Michael was the first to bring indoor power-based indoor cycling training to San Francisco, with the opening of his cycling studio, M2 Revolution, in December of 2006.

M2 has coached hundreds of athletes whose abilities include professional Ironman champions, competitive age-groupers, and athletes simply looking to cover the distance on their own terms.

Bay Area triathletes benefit by having flexible access to a premier training center and instruction by M2.

Variety and measured intensity are hallmark M2 training concepts, where smart training allows athletes to tackle the longer distances with digestible training hours.

M2 experience in observing a significant portion of the tri-community’ preparation for IM events is that fear of the distance leads to training overkill where:

• Athletes get slower each week and more tired.
• Training becomes drudgery,”how many more long rides/runs to go??”
• Race day is more a “let’s get this over with” as opposed to a “yeah baby, I’m ready to rock!”

Relevant M2 training articles include:

• Train Less, Train Smarter, Race Faster
• Watt it Takes to go 9hr24min at IMAZ
• Training Backwards, the Pyramid Turned Upside Down

Program Highlights

• IM Texas & St. George athletes begin in DECEMBER! 

• Later events can see a January start, though you are welcome to get the ball rolling with the rest of us in December.

• Cost = $450 for initial 12 week block (due December 1, 500 thereafter).  Subsequent blocks $450.oo  TO ENROLL: http://clients.mindbodyonline.com/ws.asp?studioid=8859&stype=-7      

       Program includes:

• M2 Revolution’s CycleOps Indoor Cycle
  • Training program
  • Unlimited access to M2 Revolution Cycling Classes
  • Use of Alter G at M2 Revolution
  • Weekend training outings with Group and M2
• Professionally coached power-based cycling classes at M2 Revolution
  • M2 Revolution’s CycleOps Indoor Cycle
  • Cycling Fitness & Performance : Training is Testing – Performance is Testing
• Use of the revolutionary Alter-G
• Access to M2 Revolution for treadmill sessions
• Access to M2 Revolution for Vasa swim sessions
• Regular access to M2 at both the Studio and via e-mail
• Periodic training workshops with M2 at the Studio
• Guidelines for fall training

FAQ

Do I have to be doing a 70.3 or IM event to participate with the group?   We welcome anyone who enjoys the dynamics of a group  training atmosphere.

I am concerned that I am not strong/fast enough to participate?  We have a large-sized group whose abilities cover the spectrum.  A nice thing with triathlon is that relative abilities can often vary with each discipline.  There is no need for anyone to feel intimidated; to the contrary, the group is motivating.

Can I start the program later than January 1?  Yes, the program will be pro-rated, but note that you will save $50 if you register by December 1 – $450 versus $500.

Questions? m2@m2rev.com

Registration is currently full but we can accept riders for a wait list.

Tick, tick, tick!  Our date with Lance, Levi, and the professional peloton is almost here. See below for important details:

• We need all riders to sign-in.  No sign-in = you ride your bike roundtrip! There will be a vehicle which we will use to transport your fresh post-ride clothing.  It might be helpful to have a name tag on your bag/gear.
• Starting Point Roll-time is 8am from Ocean Beach.
• End Point is the Seabright Brewery on 519 Seabright Avenue in downtown Santa Cruz, where your bike will be gathered, and our bus will be parked to transport us back to SF at 515pm.  We have a patio area reserved for M2 riders and there is a tasty menu with nice specials.
• Shower tip: there are public outdoor showers on the beach by the Boardwalk, and which is 3/4 of a mile prior to reaching the Seabright Brewery.
• Rules of the Road are to be obeyed – as with any ride, let’s all be good road citizens; ride single file where appropriate, respect stop signs, cross-walks, bring water/gels to M2, etc.
• Rider Support, although the ride is self-supported, we will have a van at various points of the course to assist with mechanical issues, as well as to have refueling provisions.   Riders can look for the van at the Pacifica turn-off, Tunitas Creek turn-off, Pescadero Road/Cloverdale Road junction, Davenport enclave just before Bonny Doon climb.
• Bus for return to SF tentatively scheduled to depart at 500pm – it is the rider’s responsiblity to make it to SC by this time.

Route Options – Riders can choose any route they wish and modify as they go.

All riders will begin on the Great Highway and will drop down through Pacifica.   The route for such sees us enter the onramp for Hwy 1 and where there is a bus-stop and pedestrian path that drops you onto quiet neighborhood roads to the coast.  Bike Route signs will steer you through Pacifica and evenutally merge back onto Hwy1 where it is then again legal to ride.   We will have the van stationed near the bus-stop indicate the direction.

• Two Taco route is the shortest and most direct – a straight shot down the coast on Hwy. 1, follow signs for Boardwalk when you reach SC.
• Fajitas Route http://www.mapmyride.com/ride/united-states/ca/san-francisco/462127370293563504 is straight shot down the coast and where at the 65 mile mark just after the small enclave of Davenport (General Store on the left) you tackle the Stage’s signature climb, Bonny Doon.  Last year’s winner Levi Leipheimer raced up in just under 29 minutes, so riders should plan on a solid 30min of climbing.  Right turn on Empire Grade near the top for a fast descent to the finish.
• Grande Burrito http://www.mapmyride.com/route/us/ca/san%20francisco/370127370360631447 Riders will tackle the first climb Tunitas Creek at 35 miles.   The climb begins gradually and gets steeper as you go.  Right hand turn at the top on Skyline at 42 miles, continue to Rt.84 (General Store) and right hand turn down 84, left turn on Pescadero Road at 57miles (General Store), note that Pescadero road forks right about 3/4 mile up the hill, left hand turn on Cloverdale Road at 68 miles and which winds you to the coast.  Bonny Doon Climb is just after the small enclave of Davenport (General Store) or option to ride Hwy. 1 to SC.
• Super Grande Burrito route climbs Tunitas and at the top drops down the backside on Kings Mtn Road into Woodside (General Store), right at Stop sign end of descent, continue until you climb up Rt84 back to Skyline, and then follow Grande Burrito route.

SAFETY TIP! There is a railroad track crossing on Hwy.1, just north of Davenport that can be dangerous for cyclists because the tracks cross at a diagonal.  Crossing the tracks perpendicular sends you out into traffic UNLESS you pull far right onto the shoulder to then safely cross in perpendicular fashion.  Crossing straight over them you run the risk of getting stuck in the track grooves.