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Mt. TAYLOR QUADRATHLON
Feb. 17, 2001
Grants, New Mexico
DESERT RATS IN A WINTER WONDERLAND
Don & Brenda Moden

The 18th Annual Mount Taylor Winter Quadrathlon was a first for Team Santa Fe members and experienced multisport athletes, Don and Brenda Moden of Chandler, Arizona. The four event race including cycling, running, cross country skiing and snow shoeing, starts in Grants, New Mexico at an elevation of 6,500 feet, climbs to the spectacular 11,301 foot summit of Mt. Taylor, and then returns back to the finish line in Grants.

A clear cold day greeted competitors on February 17th. Don and Brenda dressed in thin layers including tights, jackets and gloves to allow for the varying conditions they would encounter. Once the start was signaled, competitors took off on their bikes.

After cycling, mostly up, for 13 miles, racers leave their bikes behind and run 5 miles up a dirt and gravel road which becomes increasingly covered with snow as they gain altitude. Brenda uses her favorite Vanilla GU on this section and throughout the race for energy. Don's Montrail Vitesse give him lightweight stability on the rocky surface.

At the end of the run, itâs time for the skis. Some competitors wear telemark skis; others choose cross-country skis designed primarily for groomed trails. Snowshoes are carried on the racersâ backs or in backpacks during the ski section. On the way up, the lighter cross-country skis seem to offer an advantage.

When finished skiing up for 3 miles including a grueling, well-named section called ãheartbreak hillä, racers switch to their snowshoes, leave their skis at the transition area, and take off on the last steep mile to the summit. Don and Brenda use their Crescent Moon Snowshoes with Montrail TRS Comp direct mounted. The real benefit of this feature became evident to Brenda upon seeing several competitors struggling with bindings that came undone or broke while running back down from the summit on their snowshoes.

After 2 miles on snowshoes, 1 up, 1 down, itâs back to the skis for a lightning fast, hair raising 4-mile ski down on a different route that ends up at the ski/run transition. Racers switch back to their running shoes for the 5 miles ãdownä to the bike transition. Strangely, on tired legs, the run doesnât seem to have nearly as much incline on the way down as it did on the way up.

Back on the bike for the final leg of 13 miles into Grants, the course is primarily downhill, but a headwind has conveniently moved in, adding a little extra challenge to the final few miles of the race.

The race was tough, but great fun. Both Don and Brenda are looking forward to their 2nd Annual Mt. Taylor Quad in 2002!

Be sure to check out our ongoing feature - The Racer's Story.
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