Boulder in December

As winter approaches and the Northern Hemisphere triathlon season winds down, many of the stars who use Boulder as a training base on the summer have migrated to warmer climes. But there are plenty of hardy residents, CU students and more than a few elite pros who own houses in triathlon’s Rocky Mountain mecca who stay fit and work hard.

All photographs © Timothy Carlson

Brittany Warly of the CU Triathlon team runs on the Bobolink Trail. Warly finished 9th in the 20-24 age division at the recent ITU Age Group World Championship in London.

The RallySport pool emits a cloud of steam as the 76 degree water meets 19 degree air early one morning.

Super swimmer-biker and multiple Life Time Fitness series race winner Cameron Dye has sharp form in a RallySport workout.

Coach Neal Henderson confers with Can Dye at the RallySport pool.

Mark Allen Online coach Luis Vargas pushes off on another lap alone on a rare sunny warm afternoon in the RallySport pool.

Scott Fliegelman of Fast Forward Sports has a training group which meets regularly at North Boulder Park. Rain or shine, icy dark or sunny warm, athletes of all ages and abilities band together to prepare for their next event.

Craig Alexander gets in a quick workout and a bike fit tune up at the Retul offices in Boulder. Retul fitter Ivan O’Gorman keeps an eye on the form of the 3-time Ironman World Champion.

The usually well-traveled road to Jamestown is still closed three months after the big flood.

CU Triathlon team member Rudy von Berg rides Neva Road the afternoon before an Italian final exam. Rudy finished 4th overall at the recent USAT Collegiate Nationals as a sophomore.

XTERRA pro and top Colorado Multisport bike fitter Ryan Ignatz tunes a client’s ride on Saturday afternoon.

On a sunny Sunday at Dakota Ridge, Ryan Ignatz and his wife Maia enjoy their first off road ride since the XTERRA World Championship in Maui.

Siri Lindley rides with her pals Sparky and Calvin while supervising Mary Beth Ellis and Dede Griesbauer on a 50-mile training ride covering many of the roads on the Boulder 70.3 course.

Mary Beth Ellis and Dede Griesbauer were prepared for much colder weather when they started out at dawn.

Ellis completes a brick workout with an out-and-back 30-minute run on the dirt roads along the Boulder Reservoir.

Ellis gives her all to a fiendishly tough move at the TRX body dynamics suspension training gym on 28th Street.

Siri Lindley’s story draws big laughs from Mary Miller and Mary Beth Ellis at the TRX training center.

General Manager and Fitness Director for the RallySport Health and Fitness Club of Boulder (and talented age group triathlete) Erin Carson demonstrates some of the core balance training equipment.

Josh Shadle, a 5-time Boulder Beer Mile Champion and a massage therapist for several triathlon stars, works out once or twice a week at the Easton Center for Brazilian Jiu Jitsu doing martial arts training with top amateur Cory Sandhagen.

Eney Jones, a former professional triathlete better known as a champion swimmer and swim coach, runs the Eagle Trail in North Boulder.

Chris Legh and wife Sarah and their two children Jamieson and Camryn are ready for Christmas at home in nearby Lyons, Colorado. The Leghs have a tree in Lyons, but will travel to Melbourne, Australia for the holidays.