Tri-power

At 56, Davies has gone from working long, stressful hours as a sedentary Silicon Valley entrepreneur (having helped create several start-up companies) to a semi-retired businessman and competitive triathlete.

Having a stroke inspired Davies to make necessary changes in his lifestyle, including increasing his aerobic activity. However, it wasn't until his daughter started taking swimming lessons in 1998 that Davies got started on his path to becoming involved in triathlons.

"After my stroke, I upped my physical regiment to what I thought was optimal," said Davies. "I thought I was fit, but I had no idea how unfit I was relative to what I am now."

By 2000, through the encouragement of a neighbor, Davies went from taking swimming lessons from his daughter's coach, to joining Menlo Masters swim club, which led him to Team Sheeper -- a triathlon team that shares a coach with Menlo Masters.

Team Sheeper gave Davies the training and support needed to complete his first triathlon in 2001. Since then, he has competed in about six triathlons a year. He credits his success and abilities to Tim Sheeper, the creator of and head coach for Team Sheeper.

"Tim has an infectious enthusiasm," Davies said. "As a coach, he is breathtaking. The team accommodates a wide group of people that are so much fun to be around. Tim creates the workouts on a time basis so that we all finish together."

Team Sheeper was founded in 2000 and currently has 120 members on the triathlon team. Based out of Atherton, the club offers 35 coached group workouts per week, including swimming, biking and running. Membership also includes one-on-one coaching, team meetings, monthly "newsletter," social events and clinics for an extra fee. This kind of structured training doesn't come cheap -- the cost to join is $1,000-$1,200 a year or $135 a month.

Tim Sheeper brings years of experience in triathlons to the club. He's been a triathlon coach since 1995 and has two bachelor's degrees in health science from Long Beach State. Moreover, he practices what he preaches. Sheeper has been competing in triathlons since the age of 18 and has completed a Kona Ironman triathlon. He said he enjoys helping people reach their athletic goals.

"Our club model is performance based," said Sheeper. "We help people reach their highest potential. Our coaches gauge the workouts to help people set goals, improve their performance and drive them."

For those wanting to shell out less money to get in shape, an alternative is to join a club that focuses on raising money for a good cause. Team in Training, based out of Silicon Valley, helps people train for triathlons while doing fundraising for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.

Joining Team in Training costs only $100-$150. In return, members get professional coaching, a detailed training schedule, up to three group workouts per week, interaction with cancer patients, mentoring, access to a team Web site, a T-shirt, a wetsuit and free clinics on nutrition, technique, bike maintenance, gear selection and injury prevention. Free fundraising advice is also provided, which will be a great asset to members since they'll need to raise $2,500-$3,500 each.

The team, which currently has 70 members on the Peninsula, trains together for about three months to prepare for a triathlon competition they attend as a team. The fees for the race registration, food, accommodation and travel are included in the fundraising. The summer training season will begin in May, with team members participating in either the Pacific Grove Triathlon near Monterey on Sept. 12-13 or the Big Kahuna Triathlon in Santa Cruz on Sept. 7.

For women looking to get involved in triathlons, there is a women-only club that provides a less intimidating, more nurturing environment. Beyond Limits, co-founded by certified triathlon coach Mischa Kubancik, began offering triathlon training in 2000. For $99 a month, members receive four to five group workouts per week, free lectures, seminars and clinics, access to an online community and a personal training schedule. One-on-one coaching is available for an additional fee. The club is geared towards new athletes and currently has about a dozen members. Members train for individual triathlon events. The club does not attend competitions as a team. Workouts take place in San Mateo and Menlo Park.

Sidebar:

Team Sheeper

(650) 473-4067

www.teamsheeper.com

Membership price: $135 per month

Average size: 120

Group workouts: 35 scheduled per week

Team Sheeper is sponsoring the upcoming Long Ridge 25k/50k run, which will take place on March 9 off Skyline Boulevard.

Team in Training

(408) 271-2873

www.teamintraining.org

Fundraising club for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society

Membership price: $100-$150

Average size: 70 members

Fundraising commitment: $2,500-$3,500

Group workouts: 3 per week

Beyond Limits

(415) 533-3095

www.beyond-limits.com/triclub

Women-specific club

Membership: $99 per month

Average size: 12 members

Group workouts: 4-5 per week<