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Published on 09/01/1999 All articles from this issue

Testa's training habits lead to spot in national triathlon

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By Pete Borello

Town Crier Staff Writer

Nick Testa Jr.'s weekly workout routine could make fitness guru Jack Lalane cry.

Testa swims laps at Covington Pool four or five days, bikes 100-150 miles and runs 26 miles. He also finds the time and energy to hit the weights and run sprints.

And one day, the Los Altos resident does what he calls a "brick" - which involves biking 22 miles and then immediately running 5-6 miles.

Is this 17-year-old trying to torture himself?

No, Testa said he's just doing what it takes to be a nationally competitive triathlete.

"It's a lot of work," he said. "but it's worth it."

Testa entered his first triathlon - a sport that involves running, biking and swimming - about two years ago. Testa said it was so much fun, he couldn't wait to do another.

The Los Altos High junior now has 15 triathlons under his belt and continues to improve.

In mid-May, Testa placed third in his age division (16-19) at the South Bay Triathlon in San Jose.

A month later, he won his first age division title at the Tri for Fun in Pleasanton. Testa took 24th overall at the race, his best finish ever.

And last Sunday at the Bethel Island Triathlon, Testa won his age division by a comfortable 13 minutes.

He credits much of his success to coach Muddy Waters, who started training Testa about a year ago.

"Muddy's done a lot to help me," said Testa, son of the Los Altos High wrestling coach. "I can't believe how much better he's made me."

Testa's next test comes Sept. 22 at the USAT Nationals in St. Joseph, Mo., where he will compete against the top teen-aged triathletes in the country.

Testa qualified for the USAT Nationals by placing second in his division at the recent Wildflower Triathlon at Lake San Antonio. The only participant to finish ahead of him was rival and friend Brian Beckman of Sacramento, who's ranked among the top five in the nation.

The two will meet again in St. Joseph, where Beckman is considered one of the favorites to win.

While Testa said he would love to finish among the top 20 competitors, he's approaching the race as more of a learning experience than anything else.

"This year, I'm going more to see what I need to improve in," Testa said, "and to check out the competition."

The race, in order, will consist of a 1.5K swim, a 40K bike ride and a 10K run.

Testa lists running as his favorite event, and he's competing on the Los Altos High cross-country team this fall. However, he considers bicycling to be his best event.

Swimming is the event Testa said he needs the most improvement in and he's thinking about joining the school swim team in the spring to improve his stroke.

As the national approaches, Testa said he plans to taper his workouts and get more rest. After all, "I don't want to burn out," he said.