Youth Racers at Lake Dunmore

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By Meredith Breiland

Earlier this year, GMM members volunteered to help youth racers prepare for their first triathlon. In June, these youth racers hit the course running (and swimming and biking) at the Vermont Sun series at Lake Dunmore, Vermont.

What impressed me most about these kids, besides their green enthusiasm, was an ability to jump into a “real” race. This wasn’t specifically a kid’s triathlon, which have become popular in the past few years. These were “kids” entering their first triathlon amongst adults and facing a substantial race distance (600 yard swim, 14 mile bike, 3.1 mile run).
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Training to Train

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By John Martin

Many of us in GMM Tri have taken the big step of training for and completing an ironman race and know the commitment that is required for success. Last fall Dot and I set our sights on our 19th ironman at Epic Dartmouth (Nova Scotia) scheduled for June 30, 2013.

A twelve to fifteen week training plan has always worked for us however we also know we have to go in to this 12-15 weeks in good condition and prepared to do the training. With this in mind, training to do the training started around January 1st.

We are often chided that we train so much indoors. Around my house in January-March and most of April it’s pretty difficult to swim or bike so we make do. Running some days during these months can also be a challenge. It never rains in our basement and the bikes sit on the CompUTrainer always ready to roll. Matching treadmills are just a few feet away if the weather is inclement. We have our tunes and an understanding that some days we can ride for four hours and there is no need for constant chit chat.
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Rocky Raccoon 100 Mile Trail Race Report

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By Shari Bashaw

Rocky Raccoon is a 100 mile trail race in Huntsville, Texas. The trail has some moderate rolling hills with lots and lots of roots. It is a 20 mile loop, which, of course, is covered 5 times. We are given 30 hours to complete this race. I wanted to do this race, but it was full. A friend told me a few of them signed up so I decided to get on their wait list; however, I was 350 people deep on the list! I figured there is no way I would get in. They had been training diligently since August. I threatened to join them on some of their long excursions, but since it didn’t look promising that I would get in so I opted out of these long runs.

Lo and behold, the day after Christmas I received an email asking if I was still interested! Hell yes! I got time off from work, booked my flight and made my plans. Ok, the problem…I had 3 weeks to train before I needed to taper!!!!! Feb. 2nd was race day!
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Tour de Trapp Race Report

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By Eric Darling

On Saturday, January 19 the Tour de Trapp was held at Trapp Family Lodge in Stowe, VT. The event was a 15k or 30k freestyle technique race held on the 7.5k homologated, John Morton designed race loop. The course features equal parts up, down and flat with little opportunity for rest but plenty of opportunity to spot the competition.

Racers from all over New England arrived to Trapps on a snowy morning. There was an almost palpable energy in the air as racers greeted each other and wished each other good luck. Three of those 30k racers were fellow GMM members Sarah Pribram, Jason Baer and Eric Darling. Sarah and Eric had been skiing whenever possible during the early part of the winter and had already completed some other short races. Jason, however, being someone to never to turn down a challenge, decided to race despited having skied only once or twice all winter.
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