We've wrapped up our 2024 Club Events!

• 4/14/24: Sunday - Triathlon
• RESULTS
• 6/1/24: Saturday - Triathlon
• RESULTS
• 7/14/24: Sunday - Aquabike
• RESULTS
• 8/10/24: Saturday - Triathlon
• RESULTS

Continue to check our Facebook Group for any additional get-togethers that may be happening, and for locals who are training in town or down at Lake Mead. Post your workouts!

Thanks everyone!

Past President

Halftime Adjustments

I don’t really know how to tackle this topic. I have been a band mom for so many years that when the football team hits the locker room for the halftime adjustment talk, my kid is always on the field performing. It’s halftime showtime! 

In triathlon, you need to be mindful of whether your goals are being met. Maybe most people do this in the middle of the season, but I never did. I was always prioritized my races A, B, C, social and reevaluated either on key training sessions or after A and B races. The rest are just building blocks and I don’t want too much data to analyze. I don’t want “paralysis by analysis” which is getting overwhelmed by the data and not being able to make a decision or having too many variables to determine if a strategy is working.

At these pivotal moments, I would ask myself the following questions:

1. Have my goals changed? The feedback on whether you are meeting a goal doesn’t matter if that goal is no longer important or relevant to you.

2. If the goal is still good, am I headed in the correct direction and at a pace to achieve it? Yes or no, what energy do I need to place and where should I put it?

3. What am I doing well?

4. What can improve on?

You can either review these metrics at strategic intervals or do what I do, hire coach and dump this task in their lap, so you can swim, bike, run, and play! 



~Shawna Glasser

The New Triathlete

Halftime Assessment

In professional football, a lot happens in the locker room at halftime. If you’re ahead, you assess what you’re doing right and strategize how to take advantage of it and widen the score in the second half. If you are behind, you assess what you need to change to close the gap.

You’re halfway through the triathlon year. The spring triathlons are behind you and some major ones are coming up. It’s time to look back and see what you’ve done right, and what you could have done better. It’s time to consider your training in terms of what worked and what didn’t -- what left you energized and powerful and what left you drained and empty. It’s time to consider your pacing and nutrition in your races. And it’s time to tune in to your body and look for the small indications that, if you pay attention to them, will allow you to address minor issues before they become injuries or illness.

In combination with looking back at your training, do a ‘head to toe’ assessment of your body. What is tight? What is sore? Is your Achilles or hamstring tender? If so, consider getting a gait analysis to help determine why. Are your shoulders sore? Video your stroke and get a coach to review it with you. Consider getting a strength and mobility coach or physical therapist to assess your overall muscle balance. Endurance athletes are notorious for developing muscle imbalances, but there are plenty of sports specialists associated with our club who can provide insight into improving your overall strength, balance and fitness.

And don’t only focus on the physical aspect of your fitness. Are you having fun, or has training become a second job – something that you force yourself to do instead of something that you want to do? Do you need to back off on pushing so hard? Burnout can leave you hollow.

As a new triathlete, please allot some time to doing an assessment during this break. Have patience with your progress and pay attention to your indications – mental, physical and emotional.

  

~Bob Gamble

LVTC Member Spotlight

Get to know our club members as our President sits down with the following members to talk about tris and life.

• Robert Vazquez
• Will Costello
• Joe Briatico

The Evidence-Based Triathlete

• Staying in the Game
• Pro Triathlete Lauren Brandon
• Training Programs

Prez Corner:

Halftime Assessment: Value

Here we are, right in the middle of the triathlon season—halftime. Instead of a locker room pep talk, we may be analyzing our training data, race results, and thinking ahead to the next event. That is all well and good, but this is our moment to pause, reflect holistically on our approach to triathlon to make those adjustments to ensure the rest of our season is even better than the first half.

First and foremost, this is a great time to step back and make sure that training and racing triathlons are adding value to your life and the lives of others around you. If triathlon is becoming a distraction to family, work, friendships, … time to step back and assess what is going on. It is easy to fall in the trap of neglecting connecting with others, supporting others, being there for others when we are trying to work in swim, bike, and run training sessions. Successful triathlon training starts the idea that you and others around you are benefiting from your lifestyle.

Given that is all good … let’s start with goals. Remember those ambitious targets we set at the beginning of the year? It’s time to take a look at where we stand. Maybe you’ve already hit some of your milestones—awesome! Set new, bolder ones. If you’re a bit off track, no problem. It’s all part of the journey. Adjust your goals to something realistic yet challenging. Remember, being successful isn’t about being perfect; it’s about keeping your eye on the big picture of a triathlon lifestyle.

Next up, training. If your workouts are starting to feel like a scene from Groundhog Day, mix it up. Dive into new routes, experiment with different workouts, or join a group training session. Being fearless sometimes means stepping out of your comfort zone. And if your body feels like it’s been through a spin cycle one too many times, it might be time to prioritize recovery. Even the toughest triathletes need a rest day to avoid looking like they’ve run a marathon after only a 5K.

Don’t forget to revisit your nutrition. We’ve all had that one race where we under-fueled and ended up trailing behind the athlete dressed in some funny costume. Take those lessons, tweak your plan, and fuel your body right. Avoiding the bonk monster is an achievement worth celebrating, even more than the free post-race banana.

Lastly, keep your mental game strong. Triathlons are as much about mental toughness as they are physical endurance. Whether it’s for the exhilaration of crossing the finish line, the camaraderie of our tri club, or simply for the love of Lycra, keep that fearless spirit alive. Remember, every race is a chance to face our fears, whether that’s open water swimming or hills that seem to go on forever.

Here’s to a fearless and fun second half of the season! Let’s tackle it head-on, embrace the challenges, and remember that triathlon should be adding value to your life and the lives of others around you.

~John Mercer

Coach's Corner:

Halftime: The Perfect Time to Reassess, Refocus, and Crush the Second Half of the Season

As the Las Vegas summer heat begins to relent (just a little), we find ourselves at the metaphorical halftime of the triathlon season. For many athletes, fall marks the beginning of the second half, and just like in any great game, it’s not about how you start, but how you finish.

So, what adjustments should you be making to ensure you dominate the back half of your season? Here’s a coach’s take on the essential mid-season tune-up:

1. Reflect on the First Half: Think back to your races, training sessions, and even those early morning alarms. What worked well? What didn’t? This is the time to review your race reports, analyze your data, and have an honest conversation with yourself (and your coach, if you have one). If you’ve been crushing it, fantastic! If not, don’t panic—there’s still plenty of time to adjust.

2. Adjust Your Training Plan: The mid-season point is prime time to tweak your training. Perhaps you need to increase your mileage, or maybe those nagging injuries are telling you it’s time to dial it back a bit. Remember, training isn’t a “one-size-fits-all” approach. It’s about finding the sweet spot between pushing your limits and giving your body the recovery it needs.

3. Prioritize Recovery and Self-Care: Speaking of recovery, are you giving it the attention it deserves? As the season progresses, the wear and tear on your body builds up. Now’s the time to focus on sleep, nutrition, and those often-neglected mobility sessions. Consider this your permission slip to schedule that deep tissue massage you’ve been putting off. Your body will thank you.

4. Set New Goals: Goals set in January might feel miles away now. That’s okay! Reevaluate your goals based on your current fitness and mental state. Whether it’s shaving a few minutes off your time, mastering that open water swim, or simply crossing the finish line with a smile, set targets that excite and motivate you for the remaining races.

5. Mental Game Check: Halftime isn’t just about physical adjustments; it’s also a critical time to check in with your mindset. Are you still as fired up as you were at the start of the season? If not, what’s holding you back? Use this time to reignite that spark. Visualize your races, lean into positive self-talk, and remember why you started this journey in the first place.

6. Don’t Forget the Fun: Triathlon is a challenging sport, no doubt, but it’s also supposed to be fun. As we enter the cooler, more race-packed months, don’t forget to enjoy the process. Whether it’s a post-race burger with friends or a relaxed recovery ride, savor the moments that make this sport so rewarding.

Closing Thoughts: As we head into the second half of the season, the key is to remain adaptable, stay positive, and keep your eyes on the prize. The work you put in now will pay dividends when you’re standing at the finish line, knowing you gave it everything you had.

Remember, a strong finish begins with smart adjustments at halftime. Let’s go out there and make the second half one to remember!



~Hilary Mauch

Have you met these Coaches?

Triathlon race season is here. Do you have a coach? Are you looking for one? Well, the Las Vegas Triathlon Club is going to try to help make some connections.

Earlier this year, we sent out a google form to try to capture our local coaching expertise. We had a number of coaches (all are members of Las Vegas Triathlon Club) respond and we have featured them on this webpage:

Las Vegas Triathlon Club Coaches

We are going to continue to highlight coaches on our web page – if you would like to be part of that, please fill out this form.

Where in the World Has Our TRI Club Raced?

Check out the map below to see where our athletes have raced!