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

What Frightens Me About Triathlon

What frightens me most about triathlon is the unknown. What will go wrong during my race? What will be outside of my control? Will the weather be horrible? Will I forget something important? Have I trained enough? Can I handle the adversity that this race will bring?

The fear of the unknown is a love/hate relationship, for me and most triathletes, in reality. That is the common denominator for most triathletes. We like puzzles and problem solving. That is what draws us to this sport. Can I recover when another athlete kicks my goggles and breaks them in an ocean swim? Let’s find out! 

Overcoming the adversity during your race is what makes you proud to be a triathlete. It is why people are impressed when they hear you say you are a triathlete. Not everyone can duct tape flip flops to their feet and do a run because they forgot their running shoes or make a jacket out of a trash bag on a rainy day. That type of athlete has both a fun story to tell and amazing, “I can’t believe I did that” memories.

When it comes to fear, control what you can control and do your best with the stuff you can’t control. There is no such thing as a perfect race. The minute you figure that out, the more mentally prepared you are going to be.  



~Shawna Glasser

The New Triathlete

Make No Mistake About It - Triathlon is SCARY!

There’s plenty to fear in Triathlon – from swimming in open water to going fast downhill on aerobars, it’s a scary sport that requires courage to face your fears. But fear is a good thing, for several reasons. For one thing, fear is an adversity to overcome, and overcoming adversity is a satisfying accomplishment. For another thing, fear is a valuable emotion – in the course of human evolution, we wouldn’t have made it this far without fear to help us survive. Fear helps us proceed with caution. No one gets on a tri-bike for the first time and bombs a hill at 45 mph in the aero position. Fear helps us build into a skill when we are ready to advance, and not sooner. Finally, being fearless means that you’re either ignorant of the potential consequence or you lack common sense. Courage, on the other hand, is a virtue, and courage can’t exist without fear. 

However, there is one thing that new triathletes should fear but often don’t, and that is injury. Develop a healthy fear of injury. Pay attention to your ‘niggles’ and back off, investigate the source and cause of them, and have patience. Use your fear to protect yourself and grow. 

So, new triathlete, embrace your fear. Use fear as a tool to show you what you need to learn and practice and use it as a guide for your development and progress. Intelligence is the ability to learn, and fear helps us do just that.  

~Bob Gamble

The Pro Perspective

The Ghost in Triathlon - Injury

There's plenty to be scared about when it comes to triathlon. The steep climbs, hot temperatures, or never-ending distances of an ironman... but these are all known things that you can see. There is one fear that beats them all for me - one that is always present, always there, and can creep up at any time if you lose focus. I experienced last year as the "ghost" captured me. My greatest fear is having triathlon taken away from me through injury.

Acknowledging that the "ghost of injury" is always present is the first step to keeping it away! Nobody is invincible, and if you push the limits of your body without respecting recovery or your own body’s limits, it will creep up on you.

One key step this year for me has been prioritizing recovery to stay resilient while I have increased my run training, and ensuring that I listen to my body when I can start to "sense the ghost" of injury lurking nearby... When the spidey sense is up that my body is smashed, right on the limit of having a small soreness or tightness creep into something larger, taking the necessary precautions and changes in training to keep it away. Deciding to skip a run session, prioritizing mobility & stretching, light physical therapy strength work, massage, and simply just ensuring I am eating and sleeping enough are key factors in ensuring that I keep the ghost away.



~Justin Riele

Prez Corner:

Things That Go Bump in the Night - What Scares You About Triathlon?

Our club theme for the year is ‘fearless’ … but you can only be fearless if you recognize what to fear!

Whether you’re new to triathlon or a seasoned competitor, fear is a common thread. But what exactly scares us? And more importantly, how do we overcome it?

For many, the open water swim can be terrifying. The murky water, the thrashing arms of fellow competitors, and the overwhelming feeling of vulnerability can send chills down anyone’s spine. But like all fears, it’s not unbeatable. The key is preparation. Spend time in open water before race day, gradually building confidence. Each swim becomes a rehearsal, allowing you to confront and conquer that fear.

Then there’s the fear of the unexpected—what if something goes wrong? From a flat tire on the bike to forgetting your running shoes, the unknown is often the scariest part of a race. But here’s the thing: not everything is in your control, and that’s okay. What is in your control is how you respond. Be prepared—practice changing a flat, double-check your gear the night before—and when race day throws you a curveball, you’ll handle it with grace.

For some, the fear is more personal—doubts about their own abilities. “Am I ready? Have I trained enough? Can I finish?” These questions haunt us all, no matter our experience level. But remember this: you’ve put in the work. Trust your training and embrace the nerves—they are a sign that you care about what you’re about to accomplish. And when those doubts creep in, remind yourself of your past successes and the hard work you’ve done to get here.

So, what scares you about triathlon? Whatever it is, know that you’re not alone. We all have our fears, but we also have the tools to face them head-on. Use preparation, trust in yourself, and lean on the support of the incredible Las Vegas Triathlon Club community. Together, we can push past the bumps in the night and come out stronger on the other side.

#fearless #enjoythejourney #lvtrifamily

Happy racing!

~John Mercer

Coach's Corner:

Ghosts of Doubt: Overcoming the Scariest Part of Triathlon

As Halloween approaches, we’re all reminded of things that go bump in the night. But for triathletes, it’s not the dark shadows or eerie noises that creep into our minds — it’s the fears we carry to the start line.

Let me share a little secret: no matter how many races I’ve conquered, no matter how many times I’ve crossed the finish line unscathed, that start line always sends a shiver down my spine. You might be surprised to hear this from a coach who’s done countless triathlons with a perfect record — no DNFs in sight — but the start line still haunts me. Why? Because lurking in the shadows is a fear I can’t shake: the unknown. I know that one day a DNF will be my reality, and though I can control my training and preparation, the race day still holds surprises.

Standing in a sea of athletes, nerves take over. My heart pounds louder than the most haunted house creak, and for a moment, it’s like I’m surrounded by specters of doubt. “Am I ready? Is today the day everything falls apart?” As I inch toward the starting line, it’s as if ghosts whisper in my ear, “You can still back out, you know.” And suddenly, I feel the chill of fear creeping up my spine. I let other athletes pass, I second-guess my place — it’s almost like I’m haunted by a shadow of myself. Part of me wonders, “If someone tapped me on the shoulder and said ‘not today,’ would I be relieved?”

But the magic happens once I cross that threshold. Once I plunge into the water or find my rhythm in the run, those fears dissolve like mist. It’s as if the start line was just a haunted illusion, and now I’m fully alive, ready to face whatever lies ahead.

So, how do I keep those start-line phantoms at bay? Throughout my training, I strengthen my mind as much as my body. Mental endurance is key. I have a mantra I repeat to silence the voices of doubt: “Don’t Quit”; “Smile”; “Believe” and “Go!”. I visualize every part of the course and prepare to execute my plan — because it’s one thing to have a plan, but another to bring it to life.

If you, too, are haunted by the fear of the start line, you’re not alone. These jitters are just the brain’s way of saying the unknown can be scary. But remember this: you’ve trained for this moment. Don’t let fear be the monster that stands in your way. Use your preparation to scare those doubts away, and when it’s time, step confidently into the race.

After all, the scariest part isn’t the start — it’s letting fear hold you back.



~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.

LVTC Member Spotlight

We'll have new episodes soon!

The Evidence-Based Triathlete

We are taking a little break … we’ll be back! In the meantime, enjoy these previous episodes:

• Spectating
• The Crash

Where in the World Has Our TRI Club Raced?

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