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LVTC Happenings!
A monthly report of events and resources for our passionate, growing local multisport community.
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It's Getting Hot!
Welcome to the June edition of the Las Vegas Triathlon Club Newsletter!
This month, we’re turning up the temperature with our theme: "Embrace the Heat!" Yes … it gets hot in Vegas! In this issue of the newsletter, we talk about some tips to train during the summer – but it is important to take the summer heat seriously and to plan training accordingly. Be safe!
In this issue, you’ll hear from Past President Shawna Glasser who shares her personal heat hacks, while Coach Hilary Mauch drops tactical tips for thriving in the Vegas furnace. For our ‘Vegas Experts’ piece, Coach Dax reminds us how to train smart and stay safe. President John Mercer adds a bit of the physiology behind heat training and how to adapt.
We also spotlight long-time supporter Tony Taylor in our Stronger Together segment. Be sure to check out the 20225 Legacy Scholarship awardees as well as our upcoming events. Let’s get inspired, stay safe, and celebrate the heat together.
#strongertogether #fearless #lvtrifamily #enjoythejourney #thrive #thatsthevegasway
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Club Hashtags
Use these hashtags in your social media posts to help share the Las Vegas Triathlon Club themes and highlight our endurance community culture:
#strongertogether – This theme reflects the essence of our triathlon community: achieving more through unity, supporting one another, and celebrating the shared journey of multisport life.
#fearless – This represents the beauty of taking on challenges of multisport and enjoying the rewards!
#thatsthevegasway – We made this theme as a way to point out the things that members do (e.g., loaning bikes, helping others, ...) that promote our club culture.
#enjoythejourney – This theme was selected to emphasize the importance of enjoying training and the overall process of preparing for an event/race.
#lvtrifamily – This theme was to emphasize the importance of our endurance community and to recognize that, even though triathlon is an individual sport, we never do this alone!
#thrive – This was our 2023 theme that was selected to emphasize that triathlon should bring value to all aspects of our lives.
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Sponsors
The Las Vegas Triathlon Club is a 501c(3) organization that is 100% operated by volunteers. Our annual operating budget is about $10,000-$12,000. Sponsorships are incredibly helpful for us to meet cover our operating costs and keep membership prices reasonable. You can read more about sponsorships HERE:
A huge thank you to each of our 2025 Sprint Level Sponsors!
- CORE Mental Health Services
- Elevate Sports Performance & Healthcare
- Elevation Physical Therapy
- Respect The Distance Coaching
- UNLV Kinesiology & Nutrition Sciences
- UNLV SPEED Lab
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Las Vegas Triathlon Club Events
Save the dates! The tentative dates for the 2025 season are as follows (membership is required for each event):
| | | 4/26/25 | Saturday | RESULTS | | 6/15/25 | Sunday | RESULTS | | 7/12/25 | Saturday | Aquabike
Swim 750m; Bike 20km | | 8/10/25 | Sunday | NEW EVENT!
2X Super Sprint Triathlon
Swim 300m, Bike 4km, Run 1.6km, Swim 300m, Bike 4km, Run 1.6km
YES! 2X Super Sprint!! | | | |
We’ll post more information about each of these … and watch for more events!
You can view the calendar of events at this link:
Las Vegas Triathlon Club Calendar
Continue to check our Facebook Group for other happenings in our endurance community.
Here are the results of our 2024 events:
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Socials/Training Events/Education
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Check out and subscribe to our calendar feature (a continuing work-in-progress):
Las Vegas Triathlon Club Calendar
Here are the tentative dates for our 2025 Club events (we are submitting permit requests for these dates):
- 4/26/25: Saturday - Sprint Triathlon
- RESULTS
- 6/15/25: Sunday - Sprint Triathlon
- RESULTS
- 7/12/25: Saturday - Aquabike
- Registration opens June 1st
- 8/10/25: Sunday - 2X Super Sprint Tri
- Registration opens July 1st
Sprint Triathlon: Swim 750m; Bike 20km; Run 5km.
Aquabike: Swim 750m; Bike 20km.
2X Super Sprint Triathlon: Swim 300m, Bike 4km, Run 1.6km, Swim 300m, Bike 4km, Run 1.6km.
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!
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Coach's Corner:
Training in 108°? Been there. Didn't Die. Got Smarter.
Let’s get something straight: Las Vegas heat doesn’t mess around. It doesn’t care what’s on your training plan. It doesn’t wait until after your brick session. It shows up in full force! To sizzling pavement, heated and bad tasting gels, and that delightful moment when your bike helmet feels like a toaster oven.
But here’s the thing: heat doesn’t stop your goal. Actually, it reshapes your mindset.
And trust me, I’ve been there.
My 1st Ironman? 106 degrees.
Let’s fast forward to my 6th Ironman on the same course—because it came back on the circuit and I couldn’t resist? No way it would be hot again. On second thought…
A debatable 108 degrees!
Why would I do that again?
Because part of Respecting the Distance means also respecting what you can’t control.
You can’t control the weather.
You can’t command cloud cover or conjure up a breeze.
But you can control how you show up when that challenge arrives.
So let’s talk about how to race…and train…when it’s hotter than the sun’s armpit out there.
First Rule of Heat Club: Hydrate Like Your Life Depends On It
Because it does. Hydrate like your life depends on it. But it doesn’t just mean water.
Electrolytes are non-negotiable. You sweat out more than just water…especially in Vegas. Sugar-only fueling (hello, straight gels) won’t cut it in the heat. You need salt to keep your gut and brain functioning. If you’re fueling without electrolytes in extreme heat, you're basically short-circuiting your own race.
Second Rule of Heat Club: MacGyver Your Cooling Strategy
Don’t just suffer—strategize.
One of my favorite heat hacks? I carry a mini ice pack in my tri kit. I fill it with ice pre-run, shove it in my chest area, and let it melt down over time.
Bonus: once it’s melted, it becomes a mini water source to sip or pour on yourself if you’re nowhere near an aid station then hydrate!
Your gear doesn’t have to be fancy, it has to be functional.
Next Rule of Heat Club: Let’s Talk Clothes (Or Lack Thereof...)
Look, we all want to wear as little as possible when it’s hot. But funny enough, covering up can actually be your best friend.
Lightweight, moisture-wicking sleeves keep your skin protected and cooler, especially when wet.
I get it. It’s a little counterintuitive.
But when those sleeves are drenched with ice water, your arms become a personal air-conditioning unit. Science meets strategy.
Last Rule - Shift the Mindset: From “I Can’t” to “I’m Smart Enough To Adapt”
You’re not going to hit your usual wattage.
Your run pace? Slower.
Your heart rate? Higher.
And that’s okay.
That doesn’t mean your training is ruined. It means your body is working overtime to keep you safe. So show yourself some grace and celebrate that you're still out there getting it done.
During my second heat-blasted Ironman, I didn’t try to race faster.
I raced smarter.
I focused on staying cool, staying fueled, and staying in the game.
And wouldn’t you know it! I beat my first time by two minutes!
Takeaway: The Heat Doesn’t Break You. It Builds You
So the next time you’re about to cancel a workout because it’s too hot, stop and reframe it:
“This is a mental and physical advantage in the making. I’m learning how to handle hard things and I’m doing it smart.”
You’re not training just to get faster.
You’re training to get tougher.
Wiser. More prepared.
Unshakable.
So go ahead, embrace the heat.
Respect it. Train with it. Adapt to it.
And when race day brings the furnace, you’ll already know what to do. Because you’re the expert.
~Hilary Mauch
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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.
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Prez Corner:
Heat-Training
As endurance athletes, we know the heat isn’t just something to tolerate – it is something to train with, adapt to, and even embrace. Training through the Las Vegas summer demands a serious approach. Sometimes that means waking up at “dark o’clock” to beat the sun. But even with careful planning, you’ll inevitably find yourself training in the heat. When that happens, it helps to understand the physiology behind it.
During exercise, only about 30% of the energy we use goes into movement. The rest? It is released as heat … just like a car engine heating up as it converts fuel to motion. In the desert heat, that thermal load can build up fast.
Thankfully, your body has built-in thermoregulation strategies. As your core temperature rises, blood is redirected to the skin and sweating increases to help release heat. But if the body can’t get rid of the heat fast enough, performance declines … and, importantly, the risk of heat-related illness increases.
Here is the good news: with repeated heat exposure, your body gets better at staying cool. Heat training can trigger earlier onset of sweating, increased sweat volume, and more effective cooling. In other words, training in the heat can improve your performance.
Hydration is key – but it is not simply just about drinking more water. The goal is to maintain hydration levels that allow sweating to function effectively. Under-hydration impairs cooling. Overhydration can lead to hyponatremia – which is a serious and dangerous condition. The solution? Know your sweat rate. Weigh yourself before and after workouts (nude), track fluid intake and losses, and repeat under different conditions.
You don’t have to love training in triple digits. But with gradual adaptation, smart hydration, and effective cooling strategies, you can thrive. The heat doesn’t just test us - it transforms us.
So go ahead … embrace the heat. Train wisely … and be safe.
#strongertogether #thatsthevegasway #fearless #enjoythejourney #lvtrifamily
~John Mercer
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Past President:
Embrace the Heat!
You may think because I’m a very loving, nurturing, mother that I’m here to tell you to stay inside all summer and avoid the abuse that waits outside of your air conditioned cocoon. Nope! Get your butt outside and adapt!
The weather isn’t terrible, unless you are unwise. What I like about this time of year is just getting a good sweat on. I’m not much of a sweater, so I finally feel like I earned my workouts.If I train in the heat of the day, I do a few things.
- Start heat training slowly. I don’t decide to do a 3 hours run for the first time outside, in the heat of the day. I start with 30 minutes and work up.
- I stay close to my cooling station. I run laps around my 3 mile block. I have cool drinks at home. I can duck in to cool down or I can do a walk on my treadmill. Cool down, head back out, or tap out.
I love focusing on swimming this time of year. It is finally nice enough to go down to the lake. I enjoy open water swimming more than pool swimming, so this time of year is a treat for me.
I enjoy treadmill/cycle trainer work. It may seem mindless and boring, but it has its place. This is a good way to work on your consistent pace, heart rate, your cadence, and other metrics that can be variable outside. You can do speed sessions and compare them pretty accurately, unlike if you do it outside because you might not have the same traffic conditions.
The great thing about adapting to the heat is you will see benefits in your training. Your body becomes more efficient at cooling itself and gets a lower heart rate for the given pace. All free speed in a race.
The best part for me is having places all to myself. If you go to any trail at noon, I guarantee you very few people will be there. Score! Training with other people is wonderful, but I do enjoy pushing myself and spending time with myself to get lost in my thoughts and dreams.
Enjoy the gifts from the desert!
~Shawna Glasser
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Las Vegas Triathlon Club Member Spotlight
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The Evidence-Based Triathlete
More episodes coming soon! In the meantime, you can check out our previous episodes:
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Where in the World Has Our TRI Club Raced?
Check out the map below to see where our athletes have raced!
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Stronger Together Member Spotlight - Tony Taylor
In this new feature in our newsletter, we highlight a member that exemplifies our club theme: Stronger Together. This month, Tony Taylor is our Stronger Together Spotlight!
I am an 85 year old retiree: I Believe in Stronger Together!
I do not participate in any type of races any more, but I support the participating athletes. My body started packing up a few years ago, but I enjoy being around the action and the participants. Now I’m your sweeper (as with a broom, not the last triathlete on the course), kayaker, and encourager.
I started with short tris in the early 1990s. I was new to the sport and had no racing experience. I knew how to swim, how to ride a bike, and could run. I just needed help in perfecting each leg and putting them all together and live to tell the tale. My early mentors were Brogg Sterrett (founder of BBSC [BBSC stands for the initials of his family]); Frank and Meg Lowery of Silverman; Joe Terlizzi (past president of LVTC), his with his wife Teresa, and twin daughters; Shawna Glasser (past LVTC president) and her two children (now grown); and Joyce Forier of Calico Racing). I started “real” triathlons and joined the LVTC I about 2000.
I LOVE triathlons: a 3 in 1 sport – what a cool athletic challenge with camaraderie as a bonus!
Stronger Together applies not just to LVTC, but as a positive, thoughtful, reasonable concept in our local, national and world community. There, that’s my soap box.
Memorable moment when I felt the power of the endurance community – friends supporting me or others.
There are so many “moments.” It took me quite awhile to overcome falling while clipped in to my bike (embarrassing as well as dangerous [in vehicle traffic]). I asked Paul Fritz (past LVTC president) to help me with shoe cleats/clip-in pedals, and he gave me a one-on-one tutorial on his time. Frank Lowery and I were at Nellis Air Force Base at the same time, and I would seek him out with tri questions.
When I volunteer I holler at the participants to encourage them, like “your pony tail looks great,” “you’ve got a great pace, keep it up.” While I’m interacting with them I’m entertaining and sustaining myself. I’m acknowledging their struggles and efforts. This moment we may change a negative thought from “I don’t know if I can do this” to “I can I finish this race; I am not alone.”
Laura Mercer paid me a compliment, but I didn’t hear about it until years later. I didn’t remember what I said to her, but it kept her racing; it motivated her; and it took a bit of pain/doubt away. Laura kept racing and had quite a successful triathlon career and works for Ironman. Way to go Laura! We still see each other at races every once in a while.
What advice would I give to someone new to LVTC about getting involved …
Get involved. Ask for help if/when you need it. If you are a new triathlete, you don’t need to spend a lot of money until you KNOW you want to continue. You may start with any bike, helmet, running shoes, etc. Slowly improve your equipment, clothing, etc. If races are too expensive for you, ask if you can trade work for race entry fees.
Asking for help is a sign of two-way empowerment: (1) you show you want to and are willing to improve; and (2) you are acknowledging and respecting the skills and abilities of the athlete you are seeking help from.
Check on LVTC’s Facebook page and join an individual or group training sessions in any of our three sports or cross training. Sometimes a visitor joins a training session. You may get to experience new parts of Southern Nevada.
GROW your tris. Some “superhumans” start with an Ironman – I don’t suggest that … you may never do another tri (or finish that one). When you’re comfortable with the sprint, move up to an Olympic, then maybe a half iron, then an iron, then dream on (Kona? another nation?).
Try a twist on a tri – do a relay. A lot of athletes don’t do a tri because they don’t swim well. Go find a person who likes to swim. My son cycled, I swam and ran (Pumpkinman). You don’t need three different people. Sometimes you can choose a fun team name.
Don’t let the tri “culture” turn you off. You’ll run into unusual words, like brick, cadence, clip in, aero bars … almost every sport or hobby has its own vocabulary – ASK… you WILL figure it out.
What does the phrase “Stronger Together” mean …?
LVTR club is strong under the leadership of John Mercer, Bob Gamble, and Matt Olson and the many volunteers who make us ST.
What are my next goals in tri?
At 85 and slowing down, I want to keep moving; stay tri-involved; and keep having fun. That’s why I volunteer and encourage those who are participating in a tri.
(In 2013 I recorded “Paying It Forward” a YouTube video for a “Behind the Scenes” production by Verbe Productions. You can watch it HERE.)
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Vegas Experts - Coach Dax Timbol
We have some fantastic local triathlon expertise. In this regular feature, one of our local experts provides some advice for triathletes. Our expert this month is Coach Dax Timbol!
Getting Ready for Summer Triathlon Training
Hey there, triathletes! Summer is here, and that means it’s time to dive into some exciting (and sometimes challenging) training. With the sun shining and days getting longer, it’s a perfect chance to boost your performance while enjoying the great outdoors. But let’s not forget, training in the heat comes with its own set of challenges, so we need to be smart about hydration, nutrition, and safety.
When it’s hot out, your body has to work extra hard to stay cool, which can make you more prone to dehydration and heat-related issues. So, it’s super important to keep sipping on fluids before, during, and after your workouts. Sports drinks can be a great choice since they help replace those electrolytes you lose when you sweat.
Another tip? Try to plan your workouts for the cooler parts of the day—like early morning or evening—when the temperatures are more bearable. This not only makes your training sessions more comfortable but can also help you perform better. Plus, pushing through those hot days can really build your mental toughness, making you stronger for race day!
Don’t forget about what you’re eating, too. A diet packed with fruits, veggies, and lean proteins will help fuel your workouts and speed up recovery. Light snacks are also a good idea since they’re easier to digest and will keep your energy levels up during those intense sessions.
And here’s the most important reminder: listen to your body! If you’re feeling worn out or showing signs of heat exhaustion, don’t hesitate to take a break. By embracing the heat and being mindful this summer, you can really build strength and stamina, setting yourself up for success when race day arrives. So, gear up, hydrate, and let’s make the most of those sunny training days!
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The Las Vegas Triathlon Club Legacy Scholarship
On 12/10/20, five Las Vegas athletes were killed when an impaired driver ran into a group of cyclists. The athletes were Tom Trauger, Erin Ray, Aksoy Ahmet, Michael Murray, and Gerrard Nieva. These five athletes are endearingly referred to as TEAMG (Tom, Erin, Aksoy, Michael, and Gerrard).
Following their deaths, there has been an upswell of community support for the families and survivors directly affected. There has also been a renewed call for action to create a safer environment for our athletes to train here in the Greater Las Vegas Valley.
The purpose of the Las Vegas Triathlon Club Legacy Scholarship is to honor the legacy of TEAMG as well as any local triathletes who have been killed or injured as result of distracted driving. The Legacy Scholarship is designed to encourage involvement in triathlon by new athletes, youth athletes, and/or continuing athletes in special need.
More information about the scholarship can be found at this page.
The list of our Scholarship Awardees can be found at these pages:
2025 Winners - Congratulations Mattie Williams and Joshua Lira!
2024 Winners
2023 Winners
2022 Winners
This scholarship continues thanks to a generous donation by an anonymous donor.
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