Ann Arbor Triathlon Club

Grüezi,
Now that the mercury is rising and the daylight is lingering,
I have been able to revisit some of my favorite bike rides from last
year. It's like visiting an old haunt, replete with new potholes and new
pavement. I rode (most of) the Julie brick route today, and pulled my
tri bike out of hibernation. Not to worry, that one little dip in the
road about 18" from the shoulder is still there. I made the turn off of
Dixboro onto Pontiac Trail, and was about to attack the hill up to Nixon
when I noticed, out of the corner of my eye, a smooth, gently rolling,
empty road. Before I knew it, I had turned onto a road called Sutton,
which I had never noticed before. Turns out Sutton only goes about a
mile before it turns into dirt (eek!) after crossing over North T (EEK!)
However, it was just as smooth and lovely as I wanted it be. As much as
I enjoyed visiting old haunts, it was great to cover some new
territory, too.
And now, for the news:

Spring Member Meeting - The Spring
Member Meeting will be on Thursday, April 29, from 6-7:30, at WCC Health
and Fitness Center at 4833 E. Huron River Dr in Ann Arbor. Get to know
our sponsors and partners, news on the club, pick up your fancy new
kits, and meet fellow club members. If none of that works, perhaps I can
bribe you with food?

New Website Sign-In Information - Our spectacular webmaster
has been hard at work getting the website ready for you, our spectacular
members, to sign in. Your log-in information will allow you to post to
the forums, check your membership status, print your membership card,
and more! Look for an e-mail from the website with log-in information
coming your way soon.

Board Elections - As a non-profit organization, the Tri Club
is required to elect officers annually. As we don't have anyone beating
down the door to contest any of the positions, it is not a very exciting
election, but your participation is greatly appreciated. Please take
this Survey
by 4/15. Thanks very much.

2010 Ann Arbor Triathlon Club Team Kit - We've been working
hard, but the design is finally ready! Here are the details:
-Kit
will be made by local company Cliff Keen, who has recently begun making
triathlon and cycling gear
-Men: $50/top, $50/bottom
-Women: $54/top, $50/bottom
-Orders are
due by MARCH 31 so that we can have them ready by the spring
member meeting (4/29)
-Payment is required upon ordering (make checks
payable to AATC)
Please see the website
for more info. I have a set of kit for you to try on; just let me know
when/where/if you want to check it out, and I will do my best to make
something work.

Rudy Project Discount - Club sponsor Rudy Project has expanded
their discount program, and it's easier than ever to get it. Just go to http://www.e-rudy.com/
and see if there is anything you like. Then, before checking out,
contact me for the special discount code to see the discount. I have
seen discounts from 30-50%!

Team Petoskey
- As you all hopefully know, the MERCRS championship race will be the
Breakwater Triathlon in Petoskey on August 29. The distances are half
and Olympic. For some of you, being fit enough to do one of these
distances by the end of August is a given; you have done the distance
before, and can do it again. For others, these distances are a bit more
ambitious. You may not know what training is required, or just never
thought you could or would go that far. I am here to tell you that you
can, and the Tri Club wants to help.
This year, we are forming what I have dubbed thus far "Team Petoskey."
The goal is to get members ready to do an Olympic or half at the
Breakwater Triathlon. You will have access to a 16 week Olympic (May 10)
or 20 week half training (April 12) plan with the goal race being
Breakwater. My vision here is to have multiple people get together to
train, talk about training, etc. for the same race, with several guided
workouts per week. All experience levels and paces are welcome. If you
have ever said "I'd like to do a longer race, but I don't have the
(time/discipline/training buddies/knowledge)" now is the time to do it.
Please let me know if you are interested, so I can start scheduling
workouts and sorting out logistics. There is no fee required as long as
you are a Tri Club Member. Let's get ready to race!

Running
Fit News
10 April -
Martian Invasion
Running Fit has announced,
for the first time ever, prize money for the Martian Marathon. News
from RF reads: "to be eligible, men must run under 2:25:00 and women
under 2:50:00. The top three men and women who finish within the
required standards will receive $1,000, $500 and $300 for their
respective performances. This added incentive is in addition to more
than $4,000 available in the Meteor 10K, and Asics shoes will be
awarded to all age division winners."
The race is April 10th in Dearborn Heights, and includes a 5K, 10K,
half, and full marathon. Check out www.martianmarathon.com
for more information.

Epic Events
18 April - Swim Clinic

"Tri what you like... like that you tri...!" This is the final
clinic of the series. We will continue where we left off in clinic two,
but those newbies who did not attend the first or second clinic will be
able to jump right in. We will continue our swimming instruction, you
will receive our “special” race day checklist, we will talk about
realistic goal setting, and will learn and practice that all important
skill of learning to change a flat. Participants will receive a 12 week
sprint triathlon training plan and as with the other clinics there will
be a “swim only” clinic for experienced triathletes.

• Time: 11AM - 1PM
• Where: Whitmore Lake
  High School - 7430 Whitmore
  Lake Road, Whitmore Lake, MI 48189 
• Cost: $20 for Tri Club
  members

Workouts
Saturday, March 27
Run
- Heather Woolls will be
leading runs out of Gallup Park
at 11:00 a.m. Any pace is welcome.
Since
all routes are out of Gallup, there are lots of opportunities for loops
and shortcuts, so you don't have to run the whole thing. Please meet at
the wooden car bridge.

Sunday, March 28
Bike? -
If the weather holds out (read "is not raining and is somewhat decent")
I will be out on the bike on Sunday mid-morning for a 40-ish mile ride,
probably out of Huron Bridge Park (where Whitmore Lake Rd and Barton
meet.) Let me know if you are interested, and what you would like to do.

Tuesday, March 30
Tuesday Track
Club Workout
- Come have your butt handed to you by the track club. Workout starts
at 7:30 (not 7:00) in the field house. The bad news is that the price
is now $5, but the good news is that we get the track all to ourselves
(that means no more pole vaulters or 8-year-old's out-running you.)
This week: 4 x 400 m (200 m jog), 2 x
800 m (400
m jog), 1600 m (400 m jog). This is the last indoor workout of the
year!

OK, that's all for now. Please let me know if you have any
questions.
Em