That is right: winter triathlon. No, it is not a triathlon in the winter. You have to go deeper south or farther west for that or learn to swim with an axe. Winter triathlon involves snow, ice, cold winds, and a ton of fun. Typically, it involves a fast run on packed snow for about 5K, then a 7 to 10K mountain bike, followed by a 6 to 10K cross country ski. And, you can wear your bike helmet during the ski segment, but few people exercise this option.

Winter triathlon has been a huge deal in Europe for more than a decade and the 2008 World Championships will be held in Germany's Black Forest next month. Now, as in right now, winter triathlon is here and you can qualify for Team USA to compete in the world championships at the first winter triathlon ever held on the east coast, according to Race Director Charlie Roberts. This means you can qualify without having to travel to Colorado, or the National Championships in Oregon. Not that that would be a bad idea.

Winter triathlon is a dream come true for multisport athletes. You are running on snow and you know how to do that. You are off the indoor bike trainer and vastly improving your bike handling skills by riding on snow. You will need that. You are cross country skiing at a heart rate you never imagined within your capability. And you are outside. When you finish up winter triathlon training and racing, you are ready to go from the skis to the swim for traditional "summer " triathlon. No worries, you will be much stronger. No problem.

Winter triathlon is as gear intensive as its more traditional counterpart. Yes, you can run wearing cross country spikes or implant metal screws in your trainers. Yes, you can buy a snow bike with double wide tires, disk brakes, and super light frame. Yes, you can use skate ski or Nordic technique. Yes, there is an easy way to do all this. You can run in your hardy trainers and get right on your mountain bike and blast off on about 20 PSI knobbies. You can rent the cross country ski gear and you are good to go. Of course, training helps but do that next year. Get out now and take advantage of increasing your multisport experience inventory. Put it on your "Bucket List," if necessary.

You can make multisport history by joining us at the FastSplits Winter Triathon on January 26 in Weston, MA. Boston Marathoners will recognize Weston as being on the hilly side of Boston not too far from the famous race's start. We will do a 5K trail run on packed snow, a 7.5K mountain bike, and a 6K cross country ski on groomed trails. No worries, lots of loops so you will not get lost or cold. Top two in each age group earn a spot on Team USA for World's.

When you finish at Weston, you can continue to USAT's National Championships at Bend, or on February 9 go on to World's in Germany on February 24. Or you can knock off FastSplits' Winter Duathlon series with running and skiing at night under Weston's illuminated ski track.

Who says, the future begins in California. Winter is waiting. I look forward to seeing you out there.

Go to www.wintersports.com and www.channelmultisport.com for additional information.