The 2004 Columbia Triathlon was held at Centennial Park in Ellicott City, MD on May 23, 2004. This year’s race attracted numerous top national amateurs as well as a strong field of pros, including reigning Ironman World Champion Peter Reid.  Weather in this year’s race was a drastic change from the past two years, when racers faced brutally cold conditions.  This year, the temperature was near 70 degrees at the start and reportedly reached 90 degrees by 10 a.m.

USA Triathlon has announced its Age Group National Rankings for 2003.  Athletes from the Mid-Atlantic Region had an impressive showing.  Three triathletes and seven duathletes from the Region were the top ranked athletes in their respective age groups.  In addition, numerous athletes from the Region received First Team All-American honors.  For a list of athletes from the Region receiving First Team All-American honors, click on Full Story below.

The United States Olympic Committee’s Blue Ribbon Panel has issued a decision regarding the 2003 election for the USA Triathlon Board of Directors.  The Panel has overturned the election and has required that a new election be conducted.  USAT will send ballots and candidate information to members on June 14, 2004.  Members must return their ballots by June 28, 2004.  For more information about the election, please visit www.usatriathlon.org.

The 7^th Annual Seagate Pittsburgh Triathlon & Adventure Race will be held on Sunday, July 11, 2004.  Proceeds from the event will benefit Friends of the Riverfront, an organization dedicated to the redevelopment of Pittsburgh’s riverfront and the continued expansion of the Three Rivers Heritage Trail.  The Olympic-distance triathlon course includes a 1.5 kilometer swim in the open waters of the Allegheny River along the North Shore, a 40 kilometer bike ride along closed-to-traffic roads, and a 10 kilometer out-and-back run along the scenic, tree-lined Three Rivers Heritage Trail.  The Sprint-distance Adventure Race consists of a 12-mile bike ride, followed by a 2-mile paddle in a canoe or kayak, and finally a 3.2 mile run along the same course as the triathlon.  Participants must register for the races in advance, either online at www.friendsoftheriverfront.org or in person at packet pickup on Saturday, July 10^th.  There is no race-day registration.
 
     
 
 

Happy Spring, kids!  Welcome to this specially prepared, Climb Free™ edition of the Mid-Atlantic Monthly.  In this edition of At The Races, we’ll take a look at two of the more popular events coming up in June for our region, the 4^th Annual Escape from Fort Delaware Triathlon and the Blackwater Eagleman Triathlon. One Olympic, and one Half Ironman – both guaranteed to be 99 and 44/100ths% flat (except for the swim portions…). 
 

Tara L. DeSorbo, R.D. joins us each month to answer your nutrition questions.  If you have a question that you would like to see answered by Tara in this newsletter, please e-mail her at nutritionalhs@hotmail.com. 
 
This month, Tara answers the following question posed by a Mid-Atlantic Monthly subscriber:
 
Question: 
I consider myself to be a very healthy eater but I am concerned about making the right choices when I am not at home.  My job includes a lot of traveling and eating out at restaurants, and I do not want to disrupt my eating patterns while on the road.  Also, do you have any recommendations for eating during out-of-town races?
Eileen—Blue Bell, PA
 

The 2^nd  Annual Escape From School Youth Triathlon will be held on Sunday, June 6, 2004 at Lums Pond State Park in Bear, Delaware. The triathlon, which is open to youths between the ages of 7 and 13, will consist of a 100-yard swim, followed by a 3-mile bike and a 0.4-mile run.   There will also be a 0.4 mile fun run for youths between the ages 3 and 13.  To register for the Escape From School Youth Triathlon and fun run, visit www.piranha-sports.com.
 

This month we will diverge from the performance side of why we put in hours of training, and focus on a more subconscious and less publicized goal of triathlon training—our health and longevity.  As we well know, one primary cardiovascular (CV) risk factor is high cholesterol.  We need cholesterol in our body to be healthy, but an excess can eventually be lethal.  Don’t hours of training pretty much guarantee CV health?  In many cases yes, but in some cases no.  Let’s tackle this one…
 
The science of speed combines two expert perspectives on seasonal triathlon testing, training, and racing and is sponsored by ELITE Testing (a division of ELITE Health & Wellness) (http://www.elitetesting.com), located in Philadelphia.
 

The Mid-Atlantic Monthly Web Site
http://www.midatlanticmonthly.com
 
USAT Mid-Atlantic Web Site
http://www.usat-ma.org
 
USA Triathlon Web Site
http://www.usatriathlon.org
 
Mid-Atlantic Region Rankings
http://www.lin-mark.com/usat_rank/index.asp
 
Mid-Atlantic Region Club Directory
http://www.lin-mark.com/usatclubsma.htm
 
World Triathlon Corporation (Ironman)
http://www.ironmanlive.com
 
Duathlon.com
http://www.duathlon.com