Triatomics Go BIG!!!!!!!!!!!!

From our club's Sport's Chair, Clay Moseley:

I've been meaning to post something about a couple of our own Triatomics members who have "ventured farther into the food chain" and laid it out on the line in some of the biggest races in the world.

First off, our own Liz Miller went big at the Ironman 70.3 World Championship in Henderson, NV. For those of you who don't know about this race, it is a very hard course (just click on that link and the picture of the competitors on the bike says it all).  Just finishing it is tough.  Liz had an awesome time of 5:39 on that course, which is fantastic.  

Her age group (F30-34) was incredibly competitive; the most competitive women's age group, in fact.  The gal who won that AG placed 1st overall for the women age groupers, and 11th overall, including the pros (ahead of such pros as Leanda Cave, etc.).  The next age grouper was over 12 minutes back!

Anyway, great job to Liz!

Laurie on the podium. Click photo to see it larger.

This past weekend, Laurie Goddard scored a huge victory in the M65-69 age group at the XTERRA National Championship in Ogden, UT.  He's been on the verge of so many age group podiums and victories, so this is huge.  All of you who know Laurie and how hard he's worked and progressed in the off-road triathlons, then you know how big this is for him.  It is fantastic to see that he finally got that big one!!!

Does this mean that Dr. Goddard will be going to the World Championship in Maui???

Here's to Liz and Laurie!  You two represented us well and we're proud of you!

Also, many of you may not have seen/heard, but we hosted another pro triathlete in early September for his final training block in preparation for Ironman Lake Tahoe.  His name is Kirill Kotsegarov, and he's from Estonia.  A big congratulations to him for his 4th overall at Ironman Lake Tahoe.  

He loved training here and will likely be back.  He may come back and train with Viktor for perhaps one last end-o-season Ironman.  We'll see.

Again, WAY TO GO Liz and Laurie!

XTerra Dread Mon Mtn Bike clinic Sat May 19th!

From Clay:

"I've been meaning to send out information regarding the mountain bike (and possibly also swim and run) clinic this weekend at Elephant Butte for the coming XTERRA Dread Mon in July.  This is a little late in coming, but if you are planning on taking part in this super-cool race, it might be a good thing to consider coming down and camping (or moteling it in style...) and doing the clinic with us.

There is great camping at the Elephant Butte State Park, as you're probably aware from the Elephant Man tri, but there is also great camping at the Dam Site as well.  That is actually where the XTERRA Dread Mon and the Dam It Man triathlons are, not at the State Park beach like the Elephant Man.  Information on the Dam Site lodging, restaurant, and marina can be found at:http://thedamsite.com/  There is actually a lot of really cool options with an historic lodge, cabins, campsites, etc., and it's a very scenic and fun setting.

The mountain bike course for the XTERRA is quite challenging, so I've heard.  I have not actually seen it myself, so the focus will be to develop a strategy on the most technical sections to limit time losses and make the experience as fun as possible.  XTERRA events are a lot of fun and the atmosphere is a bit more laid-back than normal triathlons, but there are some technical differences between them and regular road triathlons, so this will be a good introduction to what you may expect, as well as getting a little more comfort with the whole thing. 

Hope to see some of you there!"

[to sign up click here: http://www.dreadmontriathlon.com/mountain-bike-clinic ]

Input on NM502 changes, please! Meeting Feb 7th!

Those of you in the Los Alamos area: its the last chance to weigh in on the NM502 options!! Details below are from Betsy L through Darien R. Also, see comment regarding this project from Khal Spencer at the very bottom of the post. Khal is a local cycling enthusiast and advocate and has been following and working with this project closely.

The County Council will make its final decision regarding design of NM502/Trinity Drive at its Tues, Feb 7th meeting, beginning at 7:00pm at the Community Building Council Chambers (475 20th St, next to Ashley Pond on the Ruby K side).  It is the only item on the agenda and the council chambers will be packed.  The so-called Zimmerman Option, which calms traffic, improves livability and supports multi-modal transportation (read cycling, pedestrians, buses etc), has been recommended by the T-Board.  Those opposing this plan are proposing a widened, 4/5 lane road past the Eastern Area neighborhood with a traffic signal at Central.  The council can decide to do anything they want - and unfortunately the loudest side often carries the day. So, we have the facts on our side - now we need the voices of the people who will send emails to countycouncil@lacnm.us, and show up and speak up at the Feb 7 meeting.

Below is a statement of support that explains the proposed "Zimmerman Plan" and its benefits, and has links to more details.  Select points and benefits that are especially meaningful to you and send them to CC in an email and/or speak about them at the meeting on the 7th.  This email and attachment can be forwarded to like-minded friends.  For those who want to see Trinity Drive become a safer, multi-modal street that also addresses the needs of adjacent homes and businesses, your support is essential and appreciated.  Now is truly the time for, "Speak now or forever hold your peace."

This is to ask your support - email the county council (countycouncil@lacnm.us) / attend the County Council meeting, Tues, Feb 7th at 7:00 at the Community Building Council Chambers (475 20th St, next to Ashley Pond on the Ruby K side) - for the Zimmerman option for the east end of NM 502 with a roundabout at the Central/Trinity intersection. This option, proposed by County Engineer Kyle Zimmerman, is a compromise plan based on designs and ideas considered by the Technical Advisory Committee (TAC). Transportation Board endorsed this option at their Jan. 19, 2012 meeting.  The County’s NM 502 web site has a description and drawings of the Plan. 

(http://www.losalamosnm.us/projects/publicworks/Pages/NM502TrinityDriveCorridorStudy.aspx)

The Zimmerman plan with a roundabout supports the County’s goals and street design policy in the following ways.

• Respects and accommodates adjacent residents by reducing motor vehicle speeds to 35 mph near the Eastern Area Neighborhood through road design, using widened medians at Airport Rd. and Tewa Loop, and single thru lanes in each direction near Eastern Area.  This reduces noise by about 4 dB in this area. 

• Accommodates pedestrians by providing HAWK crossings at both East Park and east of Canyon Road, and roundabout crossings at Central Ave.  Buffered sidewalks are included on both sides of the road.

• Considers needs of multi modal transportation by preserving sufficient right-of-way east of Central Ave. so that bike lanes and bus stops can be accommodated.

• Links and improves physical and visual access to our commercial areas on both Trinity Drive and Central Avenue by the roundabout at Central. 

• Improves safety for all users by calming traffic with widened medians, roundabouts, HAWK crossings, and single thru lanes in each direction.

• Improves the environment and livability with a roundabout at Central that reduces vehicle delays and stops and reduces vehicle pollution emissions.

• Incorporates best planning practices of professional traffic engineers.  The Plan’s lane configurations and roundabout designs have been analyzed by Kyle Zimmerman P. E. and by professional traffic engineering firms Parsons/Brinkerhoff and Ourston Roundabout Engineering.  These professional engineers have found that the Plan accommodates our projected traffic volumes until the year 2030.

The Zimmerman plan was arrived at after a long and difficult process that began over a year ago.  No interest group obtained everything they wanted in this plan, but it is a good compromise that accommodates our projected traffic volumes and fulfills many of the goals of the County’s street design policy. We strongly urge Council to pass this option so that we can get on with the task of upgrading NM 502 to a road that serves the needs of all corridor users.

Below is a comment from Khal Spencer, local cycling enthusiast and advocate, who has been following and working with this project closely:

Dina is right. Make your opinion heard. Loudly and clearly, but rationally.

This is a very political decision based on relative values of unimpeded vehicle throughput (i.e., high level of service during rush hour), speeds, and pedestrian safety.  A lot of the resistance to the Kyle plan is based on the perceived need for more capacity and what I consider outlandish requirements for high level of service (of course, I spent decades on Long Island and in Honolulu).  If you want to see how to waste dollars, take a look at Diamond Drive. It is a speedway and HUGELY over capacity even at rush hour.

But on the hill, capacity is limited by the two laner farther down the hill.  Not to mention, future changes in the price of gasoline and its impact on commuters from Espanola, Santa Fe, and elsewhere. My doubts were not with the modeling being done by the citizens group, which was quite good, but with the assumptions on future growth being based on past practice. As long as we have the right of way intact, we can add more asphalt if it really becomes necessary.

Once in town, I think we might actually need more than two lanes since you really don’t want a congested downtown during rush hour. In between is a transition zone.

Frankly, none of the options are perfect for everyone, hence what five ( I think) of us who voted yes saw as a compromise solution. None of the options are terribly “bicycle friendly” unless you are already a pretty serious rider. Frankly, I enjoy Trinity as it is because if someone wants to pass me, they have another lane.  Central is a bother for me because it bottles up traffic behind me. Two lane options with bike lanes result in right hook crashes at intersections, such as the cyclist who got clipped last week at Diamond and Sandia.

If the county wants something that any potential bicyclist would enjoy, it needs further thought and potentially a “European Solution”. I personally voted for the Zimmerman option on the T Board. Probably the last vote I will cast, since I am term limited off the board at the end of February. Whew.

Get involved if you want to influence the outcome.

Khal Spencer

Legendary Runner in Los Alamos for Jemez Mtn Run this weekend!

Jemez Mountain Trail Run is this weekend Sat May 22nd! The event always sells out early and often attracts top ultra runners and this year Micah True or "Caballo Blanco" will be participating. See the Los Alamos Monitor story. If you havent read Born to Run its highly recommended. Its a great story and extremely interesting for anyone who has done any running and avid runners in particular.

Micah is from Colorado but lives most of the time down in Batopilas, Chihuahua, in the copper canyon of Mexico with the Raramuri, or more widely known as the 'running people', the Tarahumara Indians. He has adopted their way of life and style of running. He puts on a 50mile ultra marathon in the rugged "Barrancas Del Cobre" each year that attracts the local running people and few legends from around the world. Everyone donates their race winnings back to the local communities.

Caballo Blanco will participate in the Sat race and will also give a talk on Sunday at 4pm at the Unitarian church in Los Alamos, donations requested for his charity Norawas de Raramuri. This should be very interesting so try to attend!

Cochiti Tri and AR is just a tri :)

Ran into a few people last couple of days and it appears there is confusion as to what Cochiti Tri and Adventure Race actually entail. I'll pass that on to the race dirs for their marketing next year. Meanwhile, here is some info to hopefully clarify any confusion:
These are two events on two separate days. The race dirs from each are working together to advertize as joint event and there will be a prize for people who do both races but they are completely separate events with completely separate registration links - you dont have to worry about getting into one by doing the other.
So the Cochiti tri is all pavement and is Olympic distance, nothing unfamiliar to tri-only people esp those nervous about getting off the pavement.
If you want to try out an adventure race great, but you can also just do the tri. The reason for this post is that it appears having "Adventure Race" in the event name is scaring some triathletes off because it gives the impression that the event will not be a straightforward tri or may involve going off pavement (*GASP*). No off-road on this one - all pavement (even if some bumpy pavement on the dam). Tell your friends!

Cochiti Olympic Tri registration open - register this week!

Sport Systems has opened registration for the Cochiti Olympic Triathlon. They are not advertising it widely this week so that local NM clubs can get registered. That includes us. Registration will be capped at 250 entrants, so it'll sell out for sure. This event is on July 11th.

You can find registration at nmsportsonline (nmsportsonline doesn't charge any fees)
or on active.com which does charge extra fees.

Here is a brief course description from their flyer:
Swim 1500m
Beach, WAVE start. Triangle Swim.
Wetsuit legal. Cap supplied at packet pickup and must be worn during entire swim until you are in T1.

Bike 40k
Relatively Flat and Fast Loop course.
Out through the Rec Area and over the Dam. Dam road is rough pavement. Turn left off the Dam Road and out almost to I-25. Turn around and take NM-22 back into entrance to Rec Area.

Run 10k
Flat and Fast out and back.
Out through the Rec Area and out onto the Dam Road then back to finish.

Atomic Man Duathlon Sunday April 25th!!

Dont forget that our awesome Atomic Man Duathlon race is on Sunday April 25th.
For those not familiar there are two distances so its great for newbies or someone with a lot of experience.
Check out our awesome race site courtesy of Sol Web Solutions: http://triatomics.org/duathlon

Please sign up for the race soon, or contact duathlon@triatomics.org to volunteer and help out. All volunteers will get either a long sleeve race shirt or a pint glass with race logo.

Help out by snowshoeing and skiing!

If you are thinking about going up on the 'Canada Bonita' trails (see map under The Trail section on http://swnordicski.org/) on your backcountry skis or snowshoes this week, please consider making your own tracks (vs following in existing ones) to stomp out as much of the full width of the trail as possible - it will really help the groomers get the machines up there after the storm to make nice skate and classic ski lanes!

If it has NOT been groomed (ie no machine tracks of any kind) its actually helpful to snowshoe on the upper trails too despite the signs. The signs that say not to are only meant for when its groomed. So this is a good chance to get on the upper trail before the grooming closes access to anything but skis. 'Upper' trail is the trail that goes left at the first fork on the map (point A). You will see signs telling you not to snowshoe/hike/bring dogs on it when you are there.

Also, Paul, Dave, Tom and Donna made record time before this snowfall to create a brand new snowshoe specific (no machines on it!) trail off of main trail! Current info on it here. We are hoping to post official 'Snowshoe trail' signs in the next week on it. More info, map and photos to be posted soon on the swnordicski.org site.
The county has started a snowshoe rental and learning program. We will post links to it on http://swnordicski.org/ along with snowshoe trail info shortly.

Btw, the trail will be called Paul's Portal after our own Paul Graham since he was the one to find the best path while working with Tom and Donna. That path also luckily required less deadfall clearing than was originally expected. Dave W worked hard most of Sunday to clear the deadfall from the trail! Made for a brand new trail in about 2 days! Although more work to still be done with signs etc.

Come out an enjoy the snow and thanks for helping to stomp the snow out for the groomers!

Swim/Cycle Series, episode #1

I think everyone had a good time last Sunday at Cochiti. The weather was excellent, the water quite nice (67-68 if I heard Tina correctly), and *I* missed the dogs.

Thanks to Bill for the use of his kayak and Taraka for chaperoning the swim.

For those of you not going to the Buff this weekend, we'll gather at Sullivan Field this Sunday @ 7 am for another round. This time a few of us will be swimming longer (~1 hr) and going for a longer ride. Hopefully the weather will hold.

Heron Lake Brick INFO--Sunday, Aug. 24

Meet at Sullivan Field Saturday, Aug. 23 at 3:30 pm to caravan up to the lake and find a camping spot(s) for the group.* This should put us at the lake around 5 p.m. to set up camp, have dinner and hang out. Again, families/friends are welcome! It costs ~$10 for a campsite per night and there are no fire restrictions right now. So far, the camping group includes me & family, Jeff and Susie & family, Kim, Ben, Taraka, Paul... Please let me know if you plan to caravan or not so we know to wait for you at Sullivan Field.
Sunday Aug. 24, 8 a.m. Swim + Bike:
- We can swim out to the island in the middle of the lake and back to camp/shore, which is approx. 1600m... or, if we want extra distance, we can swim around the island or make a triangle and swim back along the shore. We can always split into two groups depending on if people want to do a shorter or longer swim. Please note: Clay suggests wearing TWO swim caps and pulling them as low as you can to cover your forehead and to wear a full-length wetsuit. The water temp. on one site lists the lake at 59, and Ben found another fishing site that lists it at 70, so error on the side of caution and prepare appropriately for colder temps.
- Ride back out on Hwy 95 that runs along the lake, cross 84 and head up toward the Brazos Cliffs on 512 (this is apparently a really pretty area), then loop back south on 162 through Tierra Amarilla, back up 84, and head back on 95 to the campsite for an approx. 2 hr. ride.
More INFO on Heron Lake State Park:
Link to the state park (directions, park map and brochure): http://www.emnrd.state.nm.us/prd/heron.htm
Weather: Average weather in August: High: 83°F and Low: 48°F -- the weather for Los Ojos Sat. night is low: 49 and Sunday: 78 with scattered thunderstorms. Another report lists a 95% chance of rain that day.**

* If you want to join in the workout, but don't want to camp Sat. night, please let me know so we can look for you Sunday morning. You should be able to find us easily as apparently the camping sites are located right off the road that travels around the lake (Hwy. 95).
** I will send out a confirmation (or cancellation) email on FRIDAY afternoon depending on the weather report for the weekend. PLEASE check your email that evening if you are planning on joining in.

Heron Lake Brick--Sunday, Aug. 24

Where: Heron Lake*
What: Open water swim (~1 hr.) + Bike (~2 hr.)
When: Sunday, Aug. 24
Time: 8 a.m.
Optional: camp out Saturday, Aug. 23, families included
* more details will be sent out the week prior as they get worked out! Since I've never actually been to Heron Lake, I will depend on others who have to provide some guidance on where exactly to do the swim and bike + where camping is available etc.? Any input is much appreciated!
The Aquatic Center will be closed for their annual cleaning & maintenance (2 weeks?) after the LA Tri, so this is a great opportunity to get some training done in open water in preparation for any races coming up in late summer & early fall. And, the group camping will be fun too, with the bonus of not having to make the drive up early in the morning!

Baby Brug is here!

Deborah Elise Brug was born Wed 7/16 @ 11:03 am (in time for the Splash N Dash that night? :).
She is 21" & 6' 13 lbs.
Both mom and baby are doing well and got to go home early.

Cochiti Lake Brick #2
Sunday, July 13
Meet at Sullivan Field at 6 a.m. to carpool
~2500m swim + 24mi bike (feel free to adjust the distance for your own training needs)
Tina (or her son) will be kayaking behind the swimmers IF we can locate a kayak to borrow for the day... anyone have a spare one for such an occasion (and a way to transport it)? Last time the water temp. was around 72 and should be even warmer in a few weeks. Remember to bring lots of hydration, sunscreen, and a bright-colored swim cap.
FYI: Friday, July 25 has also been proposed as another date to do more training at Cochiti as well as a camping/brick outing to Heron Lake in mid-to-late August. More details soon!

Breakfast ride

For those that are here this Memorial weekend, there will be a breakfast ride to the Tesuque Village Market.  We're meeting at Totavi (the gas station at the bottom of the main hill) at 9am on Sunday, May 25.  Hope to see you there!

Time Trials to begin and Group Track/Swim Workouts

Looks like the weather is finally warm enough, sort-of, for the time trials to begin on Tuesday evenings....although, tomorrow looks not so great, so let's plan on starting them the following Tuesday, May 20. We'll go with the usual format of meeting around 5:30 for a warm-up to the ski hill road turn off (approx. -- you decide what works for you) and then head back down to send the first rider off (me) at just about 6pm.

Please try to show up at least by 5:50pm to get your name on the list.

Also, I am going to start going to the track on Wednesdays at noon. I think a group track workout was going on Thursdays, but if you're interested in yet another one, meet at the high school track at about 12:00 noon (or just slightly after). Be warmed up and ready to go, as we'll pretty much hit it right away.

Between Jeff, Pat, and myself, we'll probably get a track workout posted on the blog every Tuesday afternoon or Wednesday morning.

One last group workout we usually have is the Monday evening swim. This may not be possible for me to lead each Monday night, with "Baby" stuff going on, but I will post something on the blog and hopefully either I, or someone else can "lead" it. We usually end this session with a weekly 400 yard swim for time that we can post each week on the blog and on the website.

Triatomics Spring Party recap!

Here is a belated party recap and some pictures. The complete set of pictures can be found here.
With the help of all the cooks (food was awesome!) Rob put together a great party! We did missed Timbad and his music - but he had to be away due to his dad's health. We made do with a few ipods which worked out well in the end.
The party started with packet stuffing for Atomic Man Duathlon - thanks to everyone who helped out! Here are the 2008 race directors Jeff and Jarrod right after all packets were put away:



After that the festivities began with large amounts of awesome home-made food. We also celebrated Bill B. 60th birthday with a delicious cake that Cathy had made and with 60 candles on it!!!! - dont tell the Fire Dept! He needed a lot of help to blow them out and the kids obliged (sorry Bill, with all the fire and kids, I somehow didnt actually include your head in the shot... :):



Here is a shot of Bill talking to Tom and Sue to make up for the one above:



And here is the party organizer, El Presidente (aka Rob) with his son Ethan:



And the swarms of kids had a blast - some chasing others with bats... Its ok, it was a girls against boys thing and I think the girls must've been winning :)


bat-woman! :)


Alright, then there was dancing and socializing, but since I was dancing there are no pictures of that part :). You can see more pictures at the link at the very top of the post. To clean up we made Nora and Heidi Johnson wash the floors... :) :) :) They did a GREAT job!
Here is Heidi:


And here is Nora:



And that's all! Next party is post-LA Tri BBQ - BE THERE!

Maxxis order to come in on Thu 5/8

Maxxis order should be here by Thu according to UPS tracking system. Let Clay know how/when you want to pick it up. We can do it similar to uniform pick up since there are relatively few people ordering on this one.

Maxxis order already in for this go 'round

Well, if you didn't get your order in, you'll have to wait until the next round, which might sometime during the summer. The order was placed yesterday and hopefully, we'll see the tires come in by late next week.

Hope to see you all at the Sinko de Mile tomorrow, or at the Viva La Recreation Day at Ashley Pond.

Also, is there anyone interested in going to Buffman and Squeaky?

Maxxis Order form for 2008

Finally! Maxxis has approved our club's sponsorship application. I am providing the order forms here as .jpg files, as .pdf files can't be posted on the blogger. I'll send that along if you need it, but you can always just print this out too.

click on images for bigger version

Club Party and Who Wants to Go???

Don't forget about the club party tonight (4/18/08). It's at the posse shack at like 6pm...food, fun, planning races, etc. Bring something to eat/drink/share with folks.

Also, I am looking at the Buffman and Squeaky race for something different in May. Is anyone else thinking about going to this event? It's in Lubbock, on basically the same course as the Buffalo 70.3 (just a lot shorter!).