Oylmpic Development Programs in the US

There's really not too much to it. Show up to a Pacific Association USATF race and you'll likely find runners from either team.

Here's our OD standards:

http://aggiesrunning.com/OlympicDevelopment/tabid/50/Default.aspx

Transports has similar expectations, although we have different dues/reward systems and different team atmospheres. In general, we're a larger group with a more diverse range of ages and abilities whereas the Transports are a bit more stream-lined and will sometimes feed into other developmental programs.

I would recommend contacting Sergio Reyes for more info about the Aggies and Richie Boulet about the Transports. Their emails are relatively easy to track down.

Good luck with the rest of the school year and determining your post-collegiate options. I promise you that there's a lot more opportunity for development. It can be a lot of fun too.

Kota

Well said Kota.

The PA really has done a great job of trying to help the post collegiate athlete. There is some decent money to be made and finding yourself on the comped entries list each year is not to difficult to do. Most teams have a really good atmosphere/camaraderie amongst their runners and majority of the athletes are striving for similar goals. Find out about each teams management styles, compensations, club fees, location of its' members (huge in terms of scheduling WOs, carpooling for races etc.) and similar PRs/marks.

Friendly plug: Chico TC is just starting and will soon be sponsored by a major company and eventually will offer an OD program (Spring 2011). Being on the ground floor of something is pretty unique and the room for growth is huge in a club like this one. The majority of its' members are just like you, fresh/soon to be fresh out of college and are hungry as ever to take things to that next level.

Do your HW, email those gentleman Kota advised you on and choose the club you feel most comfortable with.

Happy training.

http://www.wix.com/fairleygoodman/chicotc

Although "Aggies" seems to roll off the tongue, "Transports runners" don't like to be called "Trannies".

I think Chico TC was a great idea! Gary Towne has done such an awesome job at Chico over the years, I, for one, would love to be coached by him, although I don't know much about his philosophy (high mileage or more interval work?). I assume he is the coach of the team, but how much time will he be able to give to the club athletes with his first responsibility being to the Chico team?

As with most of the other Pacific Association clubs (Aggies, Transports etc.), there is no "official coach" prescribing/running WO's and weekly mileage plans for Chico TC. Each member is free to do/follow any training regimen or coach they feel most comfortable with, and to decide their own personal schedule of events for a given calendar year (however a certain number of PA races is expected to be run to represent the team). The club is more to support the aspiring athlete financially, logistically, and psychologically and there to create a team of individuals that are all aiming for similar goals. It helps keep each athlete accountable for the daily grind that becomes so difficult once kicked from the NCAA system.

Many of Chico TC runners are currently being coached by previous Chico State assistant coaches and or alumni. Kevin Selby (Flotrack corespondent, coach of many years and close friend of G.Towne) is available to team members for coaching services and all current Chico TC members are alumni of Chico State, bringing nearly 10 years of experience with Gary Towne's coaching philosophy to the team.

Gary is a very busy man, and as much as he would love to continue coaching post collegiate runners, his time is rightfully spent with the current Chico State athletes.

Hope that helps provide some insight.