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LVTC Happenings!
A monthly report of events and resources for our passionate, growing local multisport community.
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Welcome to the August LVTC Newsletter!
Some like it hot! And, if you are a triathlete living in Las Vegas, you have to at least learn how to deal with it … and it’s not easy.
By August, the Vegas summer can start to wear on us. The early alarms to beat the heat ... the long rides ... the long runs ... and for many athletes, months of training toward fall races. The challenge isn't just physical heat. There can be a little mental heat as well!
So, this month's theme is Some Like It Hot: Avoiding Burnout in the Vegas Summer Heat.
Hilary's Coaches Corner tackles the mental side of late-season burnout ... that point where you have been training for months and just want race day to get here already! Bob takes on the actual Vegas heat and reminds us that there can be a performance upside to training here ... as long as we respect the conditions and adapt safely. And in the President's Corner, John takes a similar approach: manage your core temperature, plan your hydration and cooling, and remember that sometimes changing or shortening a workout is the smart training decision. And take a look at the Vegas Grit member spotlight, Meng Zhong … great perspective … and our Vegas Expert ‘team’ this month: Casey and Matt Weig. And be sure to read Rick Douglas’ piece … he is our new LVTC Treasurer! CPA and impressive triathlon resume … great combination!
There is a common thread through all of this newsletter ... Play the long game.
One workout doesn't make your fitness ... and one missed or modified workout doesn't ruin it. Consistency over time is what matters. Take care of yourself, take care of your training partners, and keep finding ways to enjoy the journey.
The cooler weather will eventually get here ... guaranteed!
Until then ... train smart, stay cool, and keep showing that #vegasgrit!
#vegasgrit #strongertogether #fearless #lvtrifamily #enjoythejourney #thrive #thatsthevegasway
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Super Sprint!
Our fourth event of the 2026 season was a super sprint … ~200 yards swim, 4 mi bike, and 1 mi run … fun to mix up the format! Congratulations to our top three females:
- Melissa Olivas
- Amanda Winters
- Brianna Davis
… and congratulations to our top three males:
- Koskani Montoya
- Tedd Girouard
- Randall Lomax
| | And a shout out to our eldest-tri member completing the super sprint: Ed Hoffman … 80 years young! Here is a pic of him completing a race this year in Atlantic City, NJ: | | |
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:
#vegasgrit – This theme is about showing up with purpose ... training smart, supporting each other, and pushing through challenges in a way that fits your journey. It’s not about being the toughest person in the room...it’s about persistence, adaptability, and community.
#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.
Thank you to our 2026 sponsors:
- Core Mental Health Services
- Elevation Physical Therapy
- Respect The Distance Coaching
- UNLV SPEED Lab
- UNLV Department of Kinesiology & Nutrition Sciences
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Las Vegas Triathlon Club Events
Each year, the Las Vegas Triathlon Club hosts four multisport events. You must be a LVTC member to participate in the events.
The dates for our 2026 events were:
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All results are on our website.
Athletes accumulate points at each event for our LVTC Points Series Awards at the end of the season. You can see the previous winners at this link: Points Series Winners.
We also have a variety of events throughout the year. You can check upcoming events at our Las Vegas Triathlon Club Calendar.
Continue to check our Facebook Group for other happenings in our endurance community.
Here are the results of our 2025 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
These were the dates for our 2026 Club events:
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4/12/26: Sprint Triathlon - RESULTS
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5/10/26: Sprint Triathlon - RESULTS
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8/22/26: Super Sprint Tri - RESULTS
Sprint Triathlon:
Swim 750m; Bike 20km; Run 5km.
Aquabike:
Swim 750m; Bike 20km.
Super Sprint Triathlon:
Swim ~300m, Bike 4 miles, Run 1.5 miles.
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:
Some Like It Hot — But Nobody Warns You About Burnout
If you've lived in Las Vegas for more than one summer, you already know. The heat doesn't ask permission. It just shows up - relentless, unforgiving, and completely indifferent to your training schedule. And if you've been at this sport long enough, you also know that burnout feels exactly the same way.
It just shows up. And suddenly everything that used to feel purposeful starts feeling like punishment.
The "Are We There Yet" Phase
Here's the best way I can describe late season training burnout, and stick with me on this because it's going to sound familiar.
Remember the last week of school before summer break? Your finals were done. The year was essentially over. You were mentally checked out and ready for the next chapter. But you still had to show up. Still had to sit in the classroom. Still had to put in the time even though every single part of you was screaming can we just be done already?
Late season triathlon training feels exactly like that.
You've been at this since the beginning of the year. You've logged the miles, hit the workouts, sacrificed the weekends, and rearranged your entire life around a training plan. And now you're somewhere in the middle of August, your A race is circled on the calendar, and you are ready. Not just physically ready - you're mentally done waiting. You want to toe that start line today, race your race, and get your life back.
That feeling is not weakness. That is what commitment actually feels like after months of sustained effort.
What You're Really Missing
Let's talk about what burnout is actually made of, because it's not just fatigue. It's an accumulated sacrifice.
It's the family dinner you left early to get your long run in. It's the TV show everyone keeps talking about that you haven't had the bandwidth to watch. It's saying no to spontaneous plans with friends because you have a brick workout in the morning and you can't afford to compromise your recovery. It's the version of yourself that used to be available and flexible and fun, sitting on the shelf waiting for race season to be over.
Triathlon asks a lot. And for most of the year you give it willingly because the goal is in sight and the motivation is high. But August has a way of collecting all of those IOUs at once. The heat outside mirrors exactly how you feel inside, like there is no relief in sight and everything requires more effort than it should.
What To Do When You Hit The Wall
First - acknowledge it. Burnout doesn't mean you made a mistake choosing this sport or this goal. It means you've been showing up consistently for a long time and your mind and body are ready for a change of scenery. That's actually a sign you've done the work.
Second - talk to your coach. And when you do, be specific. Don't just say you're tired. Tell them you need a rest day or an extra one and tell them when. Maybe there's a family event you've been turning down for months. Maybe there's a weekend where you genuinely need to just be a person and not an athlete. A good coach will work with that. In fact, a good coach is watching for these signs anyway.
Third - remember why the sacrifice exists. You didn't give up your Sundays and your social life for nothing. You gave them up for a start line that is now right around the corner. The finish line you've been waiting for is closer than it has ever been.
Hold on! You’re Almost There!
The Las Vegas summer will break eventually. It always does. And so will this phase of training.
You are not burned out because you are weak. You are burned out because you cared enough to keep going when most people would have stopped. And that’s what matters.
Hang on just a little longer. You've done the hard part.
The start line is waiting for you.
~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:
Vegas Summer
There is a saying I’ve used many times over the years... If we can train in Vegas, we can race anywhere!
There is probably some truth to that. We train in wind. We climb mountains. We swim in Lake Mead. And, of course, we train through a Las Vegas summer. But there is an important second part to that statement ... You have to train enough to get through the Vegas summer!
The heat here is no joke. When we exercise in the heat, one of the biggest challenges is managing core temperature. Our bodies generate a tremendous amount of heat during exercise, and when the environment is already hot, getting rid of that heat becomes increasingly difficult.
So, think about ways to keep yourself cool. Get cold fluids in you...and get cold fluids on you. Ice, cold water, frozen bottles...use whatever works. Don't just think about hydration as replacing fluid. Think about temperature management as well.
And don't let the dry Vegas air fool you. Sweat evaporates quickly here, which is great for cooling, but it can also make it less obvious just how much fluid you are losing. You may be sweating a lot more than you realize.
For long rides and runs, plan ahead. Know where you can refill bottles. Build routes around parks, fountains, stores, or other reliable water stops. Carry a credit card and some cash. There is absolutely nothing wrong with stopping at a gas station halfway through a ride, filling your bottles with ice, grabbing something cold to drink, and taking a few minutes to cool down.
That's not a failed workout ... that's a smart workout. And sometimes the smartest decision is shortening the workout, moving it indoors, starting earlier, slowing down, or calling it a day.
Heat illness is something we want to avoid. Getting significantly overheated isn't something you simply "tough out," and a serious heat illness can take time to recover from.
Triathletes tend to be pretty good at pushing through discomfort. That's part of what makes us endurance athletes. But there is a difference between being persistent and being reckless.
Fitness is built over weeks, months, and years...not during one heroic Saturday morning in July or August. Be patient. Be consistent. Play the long game.
There will eventually be a cool morning when you line up for a race somewhere else, look at the temperature, smile, and think ... We trained for this in Vegas.
That's Vegas Grit.
#vegasgrit #strongertogether #thatsthevegasway #fearless #enjoythejourney #lvtrifamily
~John Mercer
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The New Triathlete
Time for Summertime Lemonade
Dear Vegas,
At first, it was fun. When summer started, we could brag to our east-coast friends that we were 20 degrees hotter than they were. We were in tank tops while the rest of the country was shoveling snow. We enjoyed our “hotter than thou” identity. Vegas heat was chic -- Vegas lights, Vegas shows, Vegas heat.
But, to put it bluntly, enough is enough. Enough of burning our hands on the steering wheel. Enough avoiding the outdoor pool for fear of skin cancer. Enough starting long rides at 4:45 am to keep from getting heatstroke. It’s time for some lemonade.
You know the old adage – “When life gives you lemons, make lemonade.” So how do we make lemonade when we’re sick and tired of continuous 115 degree days?
Well, start by realizing the advantage that training in this heat gives you over your fair-weather competitors. If you go to a race this fall and the temp is 85, watch your competition wither while you enjoy the relative coolness. You may not realize it, but by gradually adapting to this heat, several important physiological changes have happened in your body. Your blood volume has increased, your sweat capacity/volume has increased, the concentration of electrolytes in your sweat has Decreased, meaning that you retain the important electrolytes better, and your heart rate is lower for the same pre-adaptation work intensity – you can handle heat that many others can’t. As a word of caution, though, don’t rush the adaptation process. While significant adaptation CAN occur in as little as two weeks, don’t do too much too soon – see the link below for a great explanation of the adaptation process and a plan for gradual, safe adaptation. Heat Acclimation - Physiopedia
The second way you can make the most out of summer is to do more inside! Indoor strength workouts using weights and plyometrics give you several advantages over purely working on speed and endurance. And check out smart-trainer apps such as Rouvy, which provides video-based real-world simulation, including most Ironman race courses, and Zwift, which provides animated riding simulation with a video-game interface. There’s plenty to do indoors in Vegas to keep you from sizzling in the sun.
As always, listen to your body and stay within your limits. Keep in mind that heat is a powerful stressor that will raise your heartrate and cause fatigue faster than in cooler temps. Pay attention to the way you feel and err to the side of caution. This will help you get -- and stay -- acclimated so you can crush your Autumn race goals.
~Bob Gamble
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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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The Evidence-Based Triathlete
Summer Break!
Check out our previous episodes:
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Vegas Grit Member Spotlight - Meng Zhong
In this new feature in our newsletter, we highlight a member that exemplifies our club theme: Vegas Grit. Meng Zhong is our Vegas Grit Spotlight for this month!
When John (our club president) asked me to write about “Vegas Grit,” I imagined Rocky climbing icy mountains in the wilderness of the Soviet Union. The only thing I have in common with Rocky is that we both can't skate.
I got into triathlon for more ordinary reasons: an office job, two kids, a bad diet, and a doctor who kept telling me exercise was “free medicine.” For years, he made that joke while also prescribing medication for my ever-growing set of health problems. A few years ago, when he stopped joking, I figured I should probably start exercising.
Everything about triathlons has been a learning experience, especially swimming in open water. Growing up in Vegas, I did not even know you are allowed to swim in Lake Mead. Also, it's a lot harder to swim straight when the sun is in your face and you don’t get swim lanes.
However, despite how hard the events are for me, the easy part has always been the decision to keep signing up every year.
Right before our starts, John often asks everyone, “Where else would you rather be?" I always chuckle since we are sitting in a cold lake in the early morning, while everyone else is comfy in bed. But I guess that's the point. We're already there; we have already decided to sign up, train, set the alarm, and show up. So, doing the race becomes the easy part.
So, for me, to keep making those decisions - that's my Vegas Grit.
I'll see everyone in the water.
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Vegas Experts: Casey & Matt Weig
We have some fantastic local triathlon expertise. In this regular feature, one of our local experts provides some advice for triathletes. Our experts this month are Casey and Matt Weig! Local athletes who decided to start their own endurance business: Redline Endurance.
Fun is Fast: Fuel the Fun
We all know the feeling: the swim went great, the bike is clicking, the run feels strong - and then suddenly the wheels start to come off. Your legs get heavy, your pace drops, and that fun feeling starts disappearing.
Sometimes the problem isn’t fitness. It’s fuel.
As endurance athletes, we spend countless hours training our bodies to go farther and faster, but our nutrition deserves the same attention. Carbohydrates are our primary fuel source during hard efforts, and our bodies have a limited supply stored as glycogen. Once those reserves start running low, performance can drop quickly. That’s the dreaded bonk.
The solution is simple: don’t wait until you’re empty to start fueling.
For longer training sessions and races, start taking in carbohydrates early and consistently. A good target for many endurance athletes is roughly 75-100 grams of carbohydrates per hour, depending on intensity, duration, and what your gut can tolerate. But don’t wait until race day to figure that out - train your gut just like you train your legs.
This is where nutrition can make a huge difference. When you have enough fuel coming in, you can maintain your power on the bike, hold your pace on the run, and most importantly; actually enjoy the experience.
At Redline Endurance, my wife and I built our products around a simple belief: endurance sports are supposed to challenge us, but they should also be fun. Fueling properly helps make that possible.
Train hard. Fuel smart. Have fun. Because when you’re having fun, you just might be faster.
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New LVTC Board Member: Treasurer Rick Douglas, CPA
Rick has been a long time LVTC member and supporter – and has an impressive triathlon resume! It is great to bring him onto the Board – the club will benefit greatly from his accounting experience. Here is some more information about Rick:
Founding Partner | BD & Associates CPAs
Overview
Rick has been practicing public accounting since 2004 and earned his CPA license in 2007. As a Founding Partner of BD & Associates CPAs, he specializes in small business structuring, strategic tax planning, entity formation, and growth-oriented business consulting. While his primary focus centers on tax strategy and corporate advisory, Rick brings additional expertise in external financial audits and gaming internal compliance. Beyond public accounting, Rick is an entrepreneur and owner/manager of ten businesses across multiple industries, including a partnership in Swanny’s Cycles but more importantly, passionate about Triathlon.
Education & Credentials
- Master of Accountancy (M.Acc.) – University of Nevada, Las Vegas (2004)
- Bachelor of Science in Accounting – University of Nevada, Las Vegas
- Certified Public Accountant (CPA) – Licensed in NV, TX, and FL
- Health & Life Insurance Licenses
Core Focus & Practice Areas
- Specialized Services: Entity Formation & Business Structuring, Strategic Tax Consulting, Multi-State Corporate, Individual & Estate Tax Planning, Tax Preparation, Bookkeeping, and Payroll.
- Industry Expertise: Professional Athletes, Dental & Medical Specialists, Real Estate Agents & Investors, Professional Services, Small Businesses, and Independent Contractors.
Board Leadership & Community Involvement
- Vice President & Finance Committee Member – Odyssey Charter School
- Former Treasurer – The Phast Foundation
- Former Finance Committee Member – Foundation for Positively Kids
- Former Board Member & Treasurer – Quartette Mining Corporation & US Mining Corporation
- Community Service: Active youth mentor and teacher in his local church community; served a two-year church mission in South Korea.
Beyond the Office: Ironman & Triathlons
An avid triathlete, Rick completed his first sprint triathlon in 2014 at The Phast Triathlon—eventually stepping up to serve as Race Director and Board Member from 2016 to 2020. Since entering the sport, he has finished 19 full-distance Ironman races, peaking with the ever humbling and cherished Kona slot in 2024. Among his favorite race memories, Rick proposed to his wife just steps before the finish line at Ironman Whistler in 2019 (carrying the ring with him throughout the race).
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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:
2026 Winners
2025 Winners
2024 Winners
2023 Winners
2022 Winners
This scholarship continues thanks to a generous donation by an anonymous donor.
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