Want to become a triathlete? The Sanctuary on Camelback Mountain has a program for you.
From now until May 16, the Sanctuary will be offering a series of three-day training programs that allow people to train with Olympic-caliber athletes.
“We can train the well-conditioned athlete or someone who is a beginner and wants to get involved with triathlons for the first time,” Sanctuary fitness director Kara Thomas says.
The package includes room accommodations, power breakfasts and spa treatments in addition to the training. The package offers three different types of massages: a sports massage that is geared towards enhancing athletic performance, a Thai massage that works the muscles, and a reflexology massage that stimulates the flow of energy.
“We are hoping to draw locals as well as people from around the country,” Thomas says. “We can work with individuals or groups.”
The roster of athletes involved in the program is impressive.
Olympic gold medalist Misty Hyman of Phoenix will be assisting with the swimming portion of the training. Hyman will be focusing on helping athletes learn to swim straight, match intervals to get faster and make swimming easier by changing posture. Hyman joined the Sanctuary last year.
Distance runner Mike Schneider qualified for the 1996 Olympics in the 5,000-meter race. Schneider will be assisting with the running part of the training. He is currently the Sanctuary’s trainer for both running and hiking.
Additional trainers include Melissa Branta, a cyclist who has raced at the semi-professional level for 6 1/2 years, and Mike Masood, who focuses on evaluating the muscles to find imbalances and enhance training.
“Because of our background and our location and reputation, we get people that apply for different positions here,” Thomas says. “Our staff has a wonderful background in sports conditioning and training.”
One day will be spent concentrating on each discipline – swimming, cycling and running – with core training emphasized. The spa treatments are part of the program because the training is intense and muscles need to relax after each workout.
The package runs about $2,000. For more information, call (480) 948-2100 or visit www.sanctuaryoncamelback.com.
