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TriColumbia Merchandise
IN THIS ISSUE
TriColumbia Launches New Website
The Bugeye Sprint
The "Rack Jacket"
EagleMan's Pro Line Up
Kids Triathlon
Blazeman Spirit Award Nominations
Training Tips and Clinics
Share Your Story!
BAHC Classes
Team In Training
USAT Duathlon National Championships
Y Healthy Kids Day
FAQ's & Resources
TriColumbia NEWS

  Greetings!

   

Spring is here and TriColumbia has lots of news to share! As we continue to focus on you, the athlete, we've launched a brand new website, and hope you find it informative, easy to navigate and enjoyable to use.  Take our survey and tell us what you think!

Also, in this issue of our e-newsletter you'll learn about a brand new event, The Bugeye Sprint which will take place at our ChesapeakeMan Endurance Festival, a new way to protect your bike while in transition, ways to help kids stay fit, training tips and clinics, Team in Training, Blazeman Spirit Award nominations, and how to share your unique, inspirational story.

Check out the pro line up at TriColumbia's 2011 Ironman 70.3 EagleMan, including 2010 World Champion, Mirinda Carfrae, and 2008 and 2009 World Champion, Craig Alexander. The Columbia Triathlon also boasts an amazing pro field, including multisport legend and 2x Ironman World Champion, Tim Deboom; and 2010 Columbia Triathlon Champions, Andrew Yoder and Laurel Wassner. Laurel's twin sister, Rebeccah, who holds the course record, and won Columbia in both 2008 and 2009, will be competing as well.

And if you haven't yet registered, there is still time to sign up for The Celebration Sprint Triathlon (June 26th), The EagleMan AquaVelo (June 12), The Kidz Triathlon (July 24th), and The ChesapeakeMan Endurance Festival (September 24th,) which has a distance for every ability.

Celebrate Life,

Robert Vigorito and The TriColumbia Team 




TriColumbia Logo web
TriColumbia Launches New Website

TriColumbia is pleased to announce that our brand new website has launched. Visit www.tricolumbia.org and take a look!  We hope you find the site easy to navigate and chock full of useful information.
Take our survey and tell us what you think!

ChesapeakeMan Endurance Festival Logo
Go Buggy at The ChesapeakeMan Endurance Festival          
If you're looking for a sprint level race to end your season of training, or simply looking for a fun way to fill your time while cheering on a friend or family member participating in the ChesapeakeMan Ultra,  AquaVelo, or Skipjack 75.2, TriColumbia's brand new Bugeye Sprint is for you! 

The Bugeye
140.6 Best Race logo brings the total events for the ChesapeakeMan Endurance Festival to four, one for every level of ability. Triathlon Magazine's March 2010 issue named the ChesapeakeMan Ultra Distance event a "140.6 Best Race," and The Ultra Distance event is the USAT Mid Atlantic Championship Ultra Distance race. Utilizing portions of TriColumbia's world-renown Ironman 70.3 EagleMan course, the festival takes place on September 24th, when the summer temperatures are easing.  All events are still open for registration; so don't miss this gem of an endurance festival, and come experience what everyone is raving about!
MORE 
Rackjacket
Fabulous New Product To Protect Your Bike

TriColumbia and Endurafit are pleased to announce a brand new product, The Rack Jacket, an alternative to using trash bags to cover your bike. We fully embrace the "leave no trace behind" concept, and strive to eliminate litter produced at our events. As many of you know, we have banned the use of plastic bags of any kind on bikes stored overnight in the transition areas. The bags fall off, blow off, or are simply left behind.

The Rack Jacket is the essential item for those of you who wish to protect your bike from the elements.

Key Benefits to the Rack Jacket are:
  • Designed specifically for triathlon bike racks
  • Made of highly water resistant ripstop nylon
  • Environmentally friendly
  • Reusable
  • Cord locks and Velcro straps keep it securely fastened in windy conditions
  • Reasonably priced
  • Available in a variety of colors
  • Team orders are welcome  
  Click here to order
2011 Ironman 70.3 EagleMan logo
TriColumbia's Packed Pro Field - Ironman 70.3 EagleMan
 
This year's race promises to be another competitive, world-class event, packed full of Pros from around the world. Mirinda Carfrae, reigning Ironman World Champion, Ironman 70.3 World Champion (2007), winner of 15 Ironman 70.3 Championships from 2006-1010, (including EagleMan 2009) and 2011 Competitor Endurance Live Female Triathlete of the year, will be challenging the 2010 EagleMan Champion, and 2011 Ironman New Zealand Champion, Samantha Warriner. Carfrae will be looking to reclaim the championship back from Warriner.

Taking on the 2009 and 2010 Ironman 70.3 EagleMan Champion, and 2008 Ironman 70.3 World Champion, Torenzo Bozzone, is Craig (Crowie) Alexander. Crowie is a two-time Ironman World Champion (2008 & 2009), Ironman 70.3 World Champion (2006), and three-time Australian Long Course Champion (2010, 2006, 2004). EagleMan will be Crowie's only 70.3 entry this year!  Crowie is also one of Inside Triathlon Magazine's 10 Greatest Male Iron-Distance Triathletes of All Time, and one of Inside Triathlon Magazine's 15 Greatest Male Triathletes of All Time.

The Pro field is further packed with Desiree Ficker, Kristin White, Tyler Stewart, Richie Cunningham, Justin Park, Ryan Bates, Philippe Kozub, Tim Snow, Arland Macasieb, and Logan Franks.
USAT MA AquaBike Championship

The Ironman 70.3 EagleMan Triathlon is closed, but the EagleMan AquaVelo, which has been named the USAT - Mid Atlantic Aquabike Championship, is still open for registration!

Kidz Logo
TriColumbia Kidz Triathlon & The Maryland Youth Triathlon Series

Keep your kids from becoming couch potatoes this summer. TriColumbia Kidz Triathlon will be part of the Maryland Youth Triathlon Series, the first of its kind youth triathlon series in Maryland, promoting sun-safe practices, encouraging healthy lifestyle choices through multisport, and showing kids that winning is finishing what you start!
MYTS logo
Kids, come get your swim, bike and run on! With four premier youth triathlons all within an hour of each other, there has never been a better time to try a triathlon - or add a second, third or fourth to your race calendar!  Hunter Lussi, teen spokesman for the MYTS will be present at each event, and all children competing in participating events will receive a copy of Hunter Lussi's book, America, Get Off The Couch.  All children completing two or more Maryland Youth Triathlon Series events will receive a certificate of recognition from the State of Maryland. Do three or more and get a sun safe MYTS hat. Receive an entry for each race completed to win a cool raffle prize worth $40. The more events you complete, the better your chances and the more fit you become! Individual event registrations are now open and space is limited, so sign up now. See you at the finish line!

Register for the TriColumbia Kidz Triathlon  
TYR Logo
Calling All Nominations for The Blazeman Spirit Award

The Blazeman Spirit Award is given annually to a participant in the Ironman 70.3 EagleMan Triathlon who most exemplifies the spirit of Jon "Blazeman" Blais. While many are familiar with Jon's heroic performance in the 2005 Ironman World Championships in Kona, Hawaii, few are familiar with Jon's professional life as a special education teacher at the Aseltine School in San Diego, CA. Here, Jon focused his energy on helping kids who were emotionally challenged and learning-disabled. This is also where he became better known as "The Blazeman." Jon did amazing work with the kids. Through summer recreation programs and outdoor activities, his students learned to overcome obstacles and become stronger through hard work and determination. The Blazeman Spirit Award keeps Jon's memory alive by recognizing an individual who inspires others to become a better person; leads by example; and has a passion for the journey of life.

The Blazeman Foundation is now accepting nominations for the Blazeman Spirit Award. Nominations are due by May 1, 2011. Nominate your inspirational 2011 Ironman 70.3 EagleMan participant.
 

Training Tips fromFitness Concepts logo Fitness Concepts

 Climbing Faster
� 2011 by Ken Mierke
Every cyclist wants to climb faster, but not all are blessed with the classic climber's build or Lance's VO2 max. Every rider can learn to climb faster with specific preparation. Following these guidelines will help you climb faster than ever this year. Click here for more.

Jump start your training! Learn techniques to improve your speed, efficiency, and injury resistance from The Official TriColumbia Training Sponsor, Fitness Concepts' President and designer of Evolution Running, Ken Mierke. Evolution Running Clinics will be held on May 7th and June 25th in Fairfax, Virginia.

Also offered is a Training Camp on the Ironman 70.3 EagleMan Course, April 29 - May 1, 2011.

Evolution Running clinics include a brief video analysis of your current technique, presentations on every major aspect of running technique, drills and supervised running with feedback from instructors, and a brief after video analysis showing progress and areas for continued improvement. Sign up online for an Evolution Running Clinic, and enter the promotional code "CTA" on the payment screen to receive a 10% discount on this clinic, and all products and clinics offered by www.FitnessWerx.com.
 
Beth Ann Telford
Are You An EagleMan Or Iron Girl Athlete With A Story To Share?
 
Often times triathletes become involved in multisport as a way to overcome an obstacle, cope with a loss, provide a role model, forward a cause, or as a way to change their lives for the better.

Why did you become involved? Where do you find your strength to compete? Do you race for a cause? How has your participation in multisport events changed your life? If you would like to share your story and inspire others, please send us an email with your inspirational story. We want to hear from you!
 

Bicycling Advocates of Howard CountyBicycling Advocates of Howard County News

Road Biking 101 Class Sunday May 1, 2011
Bicycling Advocates of Howard County (BAHC) will teach its annual Road Biking 101 class this Spring at HC Health Department (7178 Columbia Gateway Drive, Columbia, Maryland 21046) on Sunday May 1, 2011 (8:30am - Noon).

Check-in/bike checks will begin at 8:30am, and class will run until about noon - about 90 min of classroom, and about 90 minutes of practice riding around Gateway.
 Registration will be online at the BAHC web site
Class size will be limited to no more than 60 participants, so please register early. There will be no cost associated with the class, but donations through the paypal link on our web site are welcome.

Reminder: Classes are for intended for novice road riders (and bike commuters) - those who already can ride a bicycle, but want to learn basic skills and techniques for doing so safely on the road. All Participants need to bring a helmet and a bicycle in good condition. Participants under 18 need to be accompanied by parent, or to bring a waiver signed by a parent.


Register for Bike to Work Day - May 20, 2011
The annual Bike to Work (B2W) Day rally for Howard County will be held on Friday May 20th in The Mall in Columbia parking lot behind Sears. This year's event will last from 7-9:30 am with ceremony and prize drawings starting at around 7:30. All registered participants are guaranteed a B2W t-shirt, and Howard County is also providing a cycling/running hat, and an athletic bag/pack; there will be additional giveaways provided by sponsors. The raffle (ticket to each participant) prize drawing will include: a Giant Cypress DX hybrid bike (19" frame), 2 tickets to a Merriweather Post Pavilion concert of your choice, and several other prizes and gift certificates. In addition, an afternoon optional Happy Hour/B2W Social is being arranged, and more details will be provided as soon as this event is firmed up.

Registration and additional information
Click on Register for B2W Day 2011 and be sure to select Howard County - Columbia Mall
Routes to various locations in the County from the Mall can be found on www.Bikely.com web site by searching for Columbia, MD.


Annual BAHC Fundraiser
BAHC is initiating an annual April fundraiser to cover our annual expenses. Our costs include: membership in League of Amercan Bicyclists, insurance, Web site (domain/hosting), Bike HoCo ride, donations to supporters of HC cycling, and administrative costs. BAHC has a relatively modest goal of raising approximately 1500 dollars per year. Find out more about BAHC on their   website.  Donate here or send a check to: Bicycling Advocates of Howard County, c/o Jack Guarneri, 10224 Little Brick House Court, Ellicott City, MD 21042.
Donations are not currently eligible for income tax deduction since BAHC is a 501(c)4 (Civic League type) versus (c)3 (Charitable Type) non-profit corporation.

 
TNT Logo
Charity In Focus
 
The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's Team in Training program is the world's largest and most successful endurance training program for triathletes, runners, walkers, cyclists and hikers of all fitness levels.

Team In Training (TNT) started in 1988, and has successfully trained over 420,000 athletes while raising over $1 billion for blood cancer research and patient aid.  The Columbia Triathlon Association has partnered with TNT throughout the years, offering slots to our events, and allowing TNT teams to come to TriColumbia events year after year.  In 2009, TNT participants that trained and fundraised for The Columbia Triathlon, Ironman 70.3  EagleMan Triathlon and Iron Girl Columbia Women's Triathlon raised more then $205,000!
 
Team in Training provides expert coaching, weekly team training sessions, event entry, hotel accommodations, pre and post race parties, apparel, and a triathlon experience you will never forget. A full schedule of meeting times and locations is available on the TNT website.

To find out how to have the time of your life while helping The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society save the lives of children and adults touched by cancer, please visit their website.
 
USAT LOGO
USAT Duathlon National Championships

The nation's top run-bike-run athletes are slated to compete in Tucson/Oro Valley, Ariz., this spring, as USA Triathlon will host the 2011 Duathlon National Championship on Saturday, April 30. What promises to be an exciting day of multisport action will feature both on-road and off-road events. The on-road race features a 5 kilometer run-35 kilometer bike-5 kilometer run format, while the off-road event consists of a 2.3 mile run-15 mile bike-2.3 mile run format.

 MORE
Y Healthy Kids Day
Y Healthy Kids Day - Saturday April 16th
 
TriColumbia and Princeton Sports will be participating in the Howard County Dancel Family Center Y's Healthy Kid's Day on Saturday, April 16th from 10am - 2pm. TriColumbia provides children (6-14 years old) an opportunity to experience running, swimming and biking at the KIDZ Triathlon on July 24th.   

Stop by to learn about how swimming, biking, and running can help children achieve a high energy life style, and build self esteem that will continue through adulthood.

Princeton logo 200x89Princeton Sports will be providing safety bike checks. So dust off your bikes, and make sure your ready for the season. And while you're waiting participate in our Tot's Tri Three that includes all elements -  swimming, biking and running.  Older kids can take a run, and learn the key elements of running technique!
 
event_schedule2011 Event Schedule
 

May 22, 2011 - Columbia Triathlon
General Registration is now closed, but there are limited additional Charity slots available.

June 12, 2011 - Subaru Ironman 70.3 EagleMan Triathlon  General Registration for the triathlon is now closed, but there are limited additional Charity slots available.
**The EagleMan 2011 Aqua Velo has been named by the USAT Mid Atlantic Regional Committee as the 2011 Regional Championship for 2011. Registration is still open for EagleMan Aqua Velo.

June 26, 2011 - Celebration Sprint Triathlon  Registration is open.

July 24, 2011 - TriColumbia Kidz Triathlon   Registration is open. 
August 21, 2010 -Athleta Iron Girl Columbia Triathlon
General Registration is now closed, but there are limited additional Charity slots available.

September 24, 2011 - ChesapeakeMan Endurance Festival featuring the Ultra Distance Triathlon named by Triathlete Magazine as a "Best 140.6", Skipjack 75.2 Triathlon, and Aqua Velo, and The Bugeye Sprint
** The ChesapeakeMan Ultra Distance Triathlon has been designated as the 2011 USAT Mid Atlantic Championship. Registration is open.


September 24, 2011  -Make-a-Wish Triathlon

Our Sponsors
Gatorade logo 75px high   Xterra logo 75px high   EnduraFit logo 75px high  Subaru logo 75px high
Fitness Concepts logo 75px highTyr logo 75px highASI logo 75px highHammer Nutrition logo 75px high

MPT logo 75px high   David's logo 75px high   Princeton Sports logo 75px high
Frequently Asked Questions & ResourcesFAQ's Question Mark
If you're not sure about some of the rules & regulations for CTA's races or if you're just looking for answers to commonly asked questions, download the FAQ  

Nutrition is a key component to proper training and racing. TriColumbia sponsor, Hammer Nutrition, has an extensiveresource page 

If you still have questions about specific races, feel free to email us
FIND US ON THE WEB
Columbia Triathlon Association is now on Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube. Please join us on these site for daily updates, special offers, and race reports.

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