Postcards from Tucson

Timothy Carlson Wed Mar 02 2011

Some triathletes rough it out through the winter in Boulder and other places subject to ice and snow. But many of them – and many more from around the world -- have learned to travel down to sunny Tucson, Arizona. Many of the first Tucson migratory triathletes were just following the example of elite cyclists who were drawn to Tucson’s warmer climes (although it DOES snow regularly on top of Mt. Lemmon and other local mountain roads) and challenging climbs. Jimmy Riccitello was one of the first and he decided to stay there with wife Traci and their two lively kids. Peter Reid also heeded Tucson’s call for many winters from 1993 through the end of his fabled career. Others who have made Tucson an essential winter headquarters during their careers include US short course star Doug Friman and rising Ironman star TJ Tollakson, as well as Canadian star Samantha McGlone and former husband-coach Cliff English.

This year, Leanda Cave and husband Torsten Abel have a house, Hillary Biscay and her fiancé, rising Ironman star Maik Twelsiek also have nice lodging, and Tim O’Donnell and Mirinda Carfrae stayed with friend and fellow triathlete Damon Barnett for a big block of time training in sunny Saguaro country.

Besides the climate, Tucson has a lot of alluring facilities for triathletes. There are a lot of pools, of course, but none better than the University of Arizona Hillenbrand Aquatic Center where All-Americans and Olympic medalists Amy Van Dyken and Amanda Beard honed their skills. The 50-meter Arizona facility is favored by squads that train with Cliff English and Paulo Sousa and several others who make shorter stays. Gently rolling hills and of course the University of Arizona track offer excellent running. But the jewel of Tucson’s triathlon training is, of course, Tucson's biking roads, crowned by the justly famed 6,000-foot climb over 25 miles of desert and alpine beauty to the 8,000-foot plus summit of Mt. Lemmon.

All photographs ©Timothy Carlson

A neon welcome to Saguaro Country

Slideshow

TJ Tollakson dons a snorkel for some swim drills.

The spacious and elegantly maintained University of Arizona Hillenbrand Aquatic Center.

Coach Cliff English confers with star triathlete Timothy O’Donnell

Hillary Biscay and Sam McGlone are BFFs at the pool.

Coach Paulo Sousa with squad mates Jennifer Spieldenner, Amanda Felder and Kelsey Withrow.

Left to right: Tim O’Donnell, Mirinda Carfrae, TJ Tollakson and Brent Poulsen grab some bagels at Brueggers after a long morning swim workout.

Canadian native Brent Poulsen, now based much of the year in Ft. Worth, leads a pack at the beginning of the Mt. Lemmon ride.

Laurel Wassner, who won Columbia and Westchester and took third at Chicago last year, had a good ride, but caught a bit of the flu after a cold section at the top of Mt. Lemmon.

TJ Tollakson and Tim O’Donnell rode PRs of 1:42:48 on the Mt. Lemmon ride on February 24.

Tamsin Lewis, the 30-34 champion at the 2009 ITU age group worlds, rubs the shoulders of boyfriend Declan Doyle, while Brent Poulsen grabs one of the legendary big-as-a-saddle blanket fare at The Cookie Cabin (Pizza too!) atop Mt. Lemmon.

Rebeccah Wassner smiles after posting a 1:55 PR coming up Mt. Lemmon. Her resume includes wins at New York City (2x) , Columbia, St. Anthony’s, Philadelphia – and second place finishes at Rev3 Quassy, Life Time Fitness Minneapolis, Muskoka 70.3.