Hello there Tri fans and welcome to another edition of the USAT Rocky Mountain Region Newsletter. Each quarter I try to impart some words of wisdom or maybe just some words to USAT members in our regions and encourage you guys along the way.

Regional News

Well, our USAT Regional Tri Guide was a HUGE success. Everyone loved it. It was quite a hot commodity at local races, gyms and tri clubs. Thanks to former board members, especially Jose and Larry, for helping us put it together. If you would like to reserve an advertising spot in next year’s tri guide for your tri club or organization e-mail me at ovetta@beginnertriathlete.com.

The USAT board is looking for volunteers to help in the following areas:
- Website updates
- Membership sign-up at local races
- Fund-raising (event hosting as well)

If you’re interested in volunteering e-mail me at ovetta@beginnertriathlete.com

Racing News

The Tri season in our region started off with a great bang as the Moab Steelbender kicked off things in May. This race, a favorite of mountain bikers was named USAT’s 2004 Race of the year. In addition, a new sprint race 5430 Sprint was a HUGE success in Boulder with more than 1,000 participants. It was a hot day but it was a great way to start off the season. The race was well organized and had lots of goodies. There were a lot of first-timers, which was encouraging.

USAT News

Well, as most of you know USAT has ended its affiliation with the World Triathlon Corporation the group that produces Ironman races. Many members have asked questions about the split and what it means for USAT members who are interested in such races. The best way to get those answers is by calling the USAT national office:

1365 Garden of the Gods Road, Suite 250
Colorado Springs, CO 80907-3425
Phone: 719.597.9090
Fax: 719.597.2121
E-mail: Info@USATriathlon.org

But here’s the skinny:
The split comes down to a disagreement about rules. WTC found USAT rules too stringent. But USAT maintains that our rules and regulations are put in place for the safety of the athlete. USAT must have felt strongly about the principle because it will forgo a huge chunk of revenue to maintain the status quo. For its part, WTC has formed another body to monitor its races the Global Tri Group.

Well, that’s about it folks. Nothing more to report. Remember Train Smart and Race Hard. Have fun this season.

Sincerely,

Ovetta Sampson
President USAT Rocky Mountain Region

2005 REGIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP RACES

The 2005 season is nearly upon us. For those of you who are interested in competing against regional studs, or simply want to participate in a race that's guaranteed to be fun and well organized, then check out this year's regional championship races. These races were hand-selected by your USAT officers and board of directors.

Regional Championship Race - Sprint Distance

RattleSnake Triathlon
When: August 28th, 2005
Where: Aurora, CO
Website Address: www.RattleSnakeTri.com
Race Distances: 500m swim, 12 mile bike, 5k run

Regional Championship Race - Duathlon

RattleSnake Duathlon
When: August 28th, 2005
Where: Aurora, CO
Website: www.RattleSnakeTri.com
Race Distances: 5k, 12 mile bike, 5k

Regional Championship Race - Junior/Under 23

Table Mountain Triathlon
When: July 16th, 2005
Where: Arvada, CO
Website: www.tablemountaintriathlon.com
Race Distances: 400 yd swim, 6.2 mile bike, 1.5k runYouth

Regional Championship Race - Olympic Distance

Las Vegas Triathlon
When: July 31st, 2005
Where: Las Vegas, NM
Website: www.lvtriathlon.com
Race Distances: 1.5k swim, 40k bike, 10k run

Regional Championship Race - Long Course

Echo Triathlon
When: July 16th, 2005
Where: Coalville, UT
Website: www.triutah.com
Race Distances: 1.2 mile swim, 56 mile bike, 13.1 mile run

Regional Championship Race - Club Competition

Jordanelle Triathlon
When: August 27th, 2005
Where: Park City, UT
Website: www.triutah.com
Race Distances: 1.5k swim, 40k bike, 10k run

Regional Championship Race - Collegiate Competition

Ogden Valley Triathlon
When: September 17th, 2005
Where: Huntsville, UT
Website: www.triutah.com
Race Distances: 1.5k swim, 40k bike, 10k run

Regional Championship Race - Off-Road

Crested Butte Bank Trails Triathlon
When: July 31, 2005
Where: Crested Butte, CO
Website: www.jackash.net
Race Distances: 1k swim, 24k mtn bike, 9k run

Where else can you find masses of manly men with nicely shaven legs but at a triathlon? It is a fairly common practice in the triathlon world. The motivation comes from a variety of places. This article discusses them all!

Timing

We all want to finish the bike portion as quickly as possible, and we will spend thousands of dollars to do it. Leg shaving is considered by many another effective way to accomplish that goal. However, the aerodynamic gain is so incredibly slight that increases in speed are possibly realized only in a professional time trial.

Healing

Road rash is a cyclist's entry into the club. Leg hair makes cleaning the wound more difficult, and it increases the risk of infection.

Massage

Have you ever been to a cycling event and not found a massage therapist close by? Cyclist's love their massages, and it's reportedly less painful, and easier to perform, when your legs are smooth.

Tradition

Like beer at a rugby game, cyclists shave their legs. It's a custom. If you want to join the club, then get out your razor.

Vanity

You have worked long and hard for those beautiful biker legs. What better way to reveal those subtle definitions of your calves and quads than by removing the hair that hides them?

How to Shave Your Legs

The first time is always the toughest. If you have long leg hair, then you will want to trim it first with clippers, unless you have many blades to spare.

Use whatever you use to shave your face with, unless you use soap, and whatever razor you have. Lather up one leg and get to work. Use caution around boney parts (i.e., the ankle, knee, and the edge of your shin) and change blades frequently.

A good shave should last 2 to 4 days, depending upon how smooth you want to be. Also, there seems to be no standard on whether or not to shave year round... it's up to you.

Waxing and other hair depilatory creams can also be used, though may cause skin irritation. The effect is longer lasting, however, and much quicker.

One very important question still remains: how high should I shave? There is no good answer either. So, I offer you this: shave less at first - maybe stop where your shorts end. And remember, the hair that grows back will be itchy and ingrown hairs will likely appear in tight spots (e.g., the groin and along the tight band of your bike shorts).

Hope this helps!

YOUNG ATHLETES THRIVE AT DEVELOPMENT CAMP

Fifty-three athletes ages 12-23 from around the United States attended the first USA Triathlon National Development Camp on June 12-15 in Estes Park, Colo.

Nine coaches and five special assistants worked with the athletes on International Triathlon Union (ITU) style of racing, which is used in the Olympics, and helped them through a rigorous schedule that lasted from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. each day.

The young triathletes had a swim, ride and run workout scheduled each day. They also had transition clinics, a conference with the United States Anti-Doping Agency, a visit from the under-23 National Team coach and three U23 squad athletes, basic bike maintenance, and an ITU rules discussion.

Athletes rode as a group into beautiful Rocky Mountain National Park, some all the way to the incredibly scenic and challenging Trail Ridge Road, which opened on the second full day of camp. The athletes were also given enough down time each day to make friends with fellow triathletes and relax at the putt-putt course and rock-climbing areas. The camp concluded each night with a campfire and marshmallow roast.

Athletes left the overwhelmingly successful camp with friends from across the country who share similar goals and lifestyle traits. They also left with increased fitness, confidence, knowledge of ITU-style triathlon, and a higher dedication to the sport.

Thank you to the coaches: Camp Director Sean Wendt, Cortino Garcia, Michael Bland, Tim Becker, Jason Pollack, Luis Vargas, Michael Redman, Patty Swedberg, Sharon Osgood and Hannah Gerber for their dedication to the youth and juniors in our sport.

The 2006 camp is tentatively scheduled for June 18-22.

RATTLESNAKE TRIATHLON & DUATHLON

USAT highlights the RattleSnake Triathlon and Duathlon. It will be held at the Aurora reservoir on August 28th, 2005. Check out these unique factoids:

- Westword Magazine voted, "Best of in 2003"

- Cowbell Trophies!

- Sorbet Ice Cream on the Run

- USAT Sprint Distance Regional Champship

- Professional DJ

- Time Trial Start (one person every 5 seconds)

- Wet Suit Strippers!?

If you've never done this race, then you're missing out on Colorado-Must. You can register at www.active.com or visit them online at www.RattleSnakeTri.com. Mark your calendars: August 28, 2005. The race is capped at 500, and is nearly full, so sign up soon!

Race Directors, if you would like USAT to highlight your race in an upcoming newsletter, then send an email to Scott Poston (scott_poston@hotmail.com) for details.

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: www.usatriathlon.org.

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