Wow, what a year!
There have been more sanctioned races in our region then ever before,
just look at the calendar. With all of these new races, there is bound
to be some issues that should be addressed. By far the worse thing
that happened was the fatal accident at the Centerra Sertoma Splash
& Dash. Because of this accident, the Larimer County Sheriff’s
office threatened to no longer allow open course events (i.e. bikes
and vehicles allowed on the same road at the same time) and was going
to force race directors to close roads in order to have a race. Bicycle
Colorado organized a meeting with the Larimer County Sheriff’s
office, which was also attended by two USAT Regional board members,
Jose Valdes, and Sue Bowles. In summary, all people in attendance
agreed that safety is the number one concern and that open courses
might be able to continue next year and more meetings will follow
to determine a middle ground. For more details on this first meeting
please refer to Sue’s notes later in this newsletter. Needless
to say, we thank Jose and Sue for taking the time to attend this meeting.
The second issue that needs
addressing is the Boulder Divas Triathlon, which was canceled. Please
be aware that event never applied for the proper permits or USAT sanctioning.
Finally, the Chatfield
Off-Road Triathlon issues have been addressed by that race director
who has sent out an email to the race participants and will work to
correct problems next year. If you still feel upset, why not try to
work on the solutions to some of these issues. There will be some
openings on the regional board next year and if you are interested
in helping please send an email to me, LarrySeidman@hotmail.com.
You need to be a current member of USAT and have an email account.
The deadline is December 1, 2004, and we plan to have next year’s
ballot in the next newsletter. We meet twice a year in person for
those within driving distance to Denver, and for those farther away,
we set up a conference call. In addition to the two meetings we get
many things done over email. Some of the other things we deal with
are deciding on which races become regional championships, regional
rankings, awards, the regional web site, the regional newsletter,
officials and new for 2005, the USAT regional Tri-Guide. If you are
interested in advertising in this regional tri-guide, please read
the flyer at http://www.usat-rockymountain.org.
If you are a race director and would like to submit your race to be
a regional championship please complete the application at http://www.createsurvey.com
by October 31, 2004. This will submit your race information to the
national office who will in turn forward them to the various regional
boards. For more information on regional championships please refer
to http://www.usatriathlon.org.
Best Regards,
Larry Seidman
The off-season
has officially begun. Your workouts over the next six months will
determine your level of achievement and improvement for next year.
The off-season is therefore a time for recovery, inspiration, and
hopefully, strength training.
The primary
effect of strength training is to decrease your injury potential.
Increasing the strength of your muscles, bones and connective tissue
will reduce the likelihood that you will incur an injury. The secondary
effect is to increase your performance potential. Although strength
training does not guarantee an improvement in performance, it will
certainly improve the odds.
GUIDELINE
#1: Science has been unable to discover one strength
training method that is superior to another. Machines are as effective
as free weights which are as effective as milk jugs. Research has
only shown that there are a variety of training methods that increase
strength.
Effect: Don’t get frustrated with the infinite
possibilities of what you could do in the weight room. Something is
almost always better than nothing.
GUIDELINE
#2: Other
than genetics, the intensity of effort is the most important factor
in determining your response from strength training. Intensity relates
to the amount of fatigue the target muscle experiences. When the muscles
are fresh at the beginning of an exercise, the intensity is low. When
the muscles are fatigued at the end of an exercise, the intensity
is high. (Intensity should not be confused with maximum weight.)
Effect: All exercises should be performed to the
point of muscular exhaustion. Failure to reach a desirable level of
intensity—or muscular fatigue—will result in little or
no gains in muscular size or strength.
GUIDELINE
#3: Attempt to increase the resistance used or the
repetitions performed every couple of workouts.
Effect: Performing the same number of repetitions
with the same amount of weight over and over again is not productive.
It’s akin to studying the same vocabulary words over and over
again. Eventually, you’re just not learning anything new.
GUIDELINE
#4: Perform only one set of each exercise to the point
of muscular exhaustion (i.e. failure).
Effect: Although argued in recreational circles,
exercise scientists agree that single sets to failure, if done properly,
are as effective as multiple sets. Considering the workload most triathletes
endure, traditional multiple-set routines could cause overtraining
in working muscles.
GUIDELINE
#5: A well-rounded workout incorporates every muscle
group in a single workout.
Effect: You do not have to split your routine into
four different days in order to work all your muscles thoroughly.
Instead, stick to two or three nonconsecutive days per week, and stay
focused.
SUMMARY
If you are familiar with weight training, then the above guidelines
should help to structure your off-season workouts. If you are new
to strength training, then visit your local health club or fitness
center. A personal trainer is usually available to answer questions,
which does not usually cost a dime.
POSITIONS
OPEN ON REGIONAL BOARD
There
will be some openings for next year's regional board. If you are motivated,
and have a vested interest the future of triathlon, please send an email
to larryseidman@hotmail.com,
and briefly state why you would like to be on the board and how you
are qualified. The Rocky Mountain Regional Board deliberates on such
issues as regional championship bids, regional rankings, awards, the
regional web site, the regional newsletter, officials and new for 2005,
the USAT
Regional Tri-Guide. The deadline for nominations is Dec
1, 2004.
CALL
FOR REGIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP BIDS
If
you are a race director, and would like to submit a bid for your triathlon
to be a 2005 regional championship race, then make your submission soon.
The deadline for submissions is Oct 30, 2004. To read about regional
championships visit http://www.usatriathlon.org
and to submit your bid, go to http://www.createsurvey.com.
PRECAUTIONS
FOR YOUR CRANIUM
by Jim Flint,
Regional Coordinator of Officials
Does
your helmet fit properly? If you unbuckle your helmet and lean over,
does it fall off? If so, then it’s not fit properly. What will
happen during an actual accident, is the helmet will slip backwards
and expose your forehead to the pavement. Participating in a race a
few years ago, a gal just in front of me was clipped by another racer
passing her. The rear wheel of the bike passing knocked the front wheel
of the gal out from under her and down she went. Her forehead just slammed
the pavement. It was horrible. She was knocked unconscious, then slowly
regained consciousness. When this happens, there is swelling around
the brain and the body goes into convulsions. It’s not something
you want to see or have happen to you. Please make sure your helmet
fits and that the chin strap is tight. Probably tighter than you’d
like. As an official at races all over the country, I can tell you that
about 60% or more of racers have their helmet too loose. Please buckle
up a properly fitting helmet. And did you know that you have to have
your helmet on and buckled anytime you are at a race venue (that means
before and after the race) or you could be disqualified? That’s
a new rule last year that enables USAT to obtain insurance for race
directors. Please don’t ruin a great race by riding back to your
car with your helmet in your backpack. For a complete listing of USAT
rules, please visit: http://usatriathlon.org.
NOTES
ON LARIMER
COUNTY PROCEEDINGS
The
first meeting was quite successful. Everyone was in agreement on the
need for careful planning, safety in all events, and good communication.
The consensus is to find a solution to allow future races in Larimer
County. The next meeting will address permit applications and traffic
plans.
ABOUT
USAT & THE
ROCKY MOUNTAIN REGION
USA
Triathlon is the national governing body for the multi-sport disciplines
of triathlon, duathlon, aquathlon and winter triathlon in the United
States. USA Triathlon is a member federation of the U. S. Olympic Committee
and the International Triathlon Union. USA Triathlon coordinates and
sanctions grass-roots and elite multi-sport events across the country
and works to create interest and participation in those programs. USA
Triathlon’s 50,000-strong membership is comprised of athletes
of all ages, coaches, officials, parents and fans striving together
to strengthen multi-sport. On the elite level, USA Triathlon is responsible
for the selection and training of teams to represent the United States
in international competition, including the world championships, Pan
Am Games and Olympic Games. It conducts national camps and clinics and
provides coaching education programs. On the developmental level, USA
Triathlon fosters grass-roots expansion of the sport, which is facilitated
by the sanctioning of age-group events and triathlon clubs. National
and regional championships are held for triathletes from junior to senior
age divisions. USA Triathlon’s mission is to provide leadership
and structure for the growth and development of excellence in multi-sports.
The organization’s vision is to be the “gold standard”
for triathlon worldwide. USA Triathlon will inspire fitness as a healthy
lifestyle, create a culture for excellence in leadership and competition
and be a world leader in the sport.
USA
Triathlon, and its regions, are governed by a Board of Directors, which
has general charge of the business affairs and activities of the organization
and defines the policies to be followed in carrying out the purposes
of the organization as set down in the bylaws. All members of the Board
must be current annual USA Triathlon members. For more information visit
the website at: http://www.usatriathlon.org.
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