Back from Overseas!!

After some holidays in Japan, I returned home about a week ago. Back into training, I knew I had some races at the end of April but I started surfing the Xterra Calendar to see if there was any race close to me.  To my surprise, the Xterra US Western Championship is in Las Vegas on April 10.  I wasn't too sure if I could go as airfare did not seem as cheap as usual.  After more research, I found a good deal so I am off to an other Xterra race in a couple of weeks! As well, the weather seem much warmer and nicer than rainy BC so it will be good for training if anything.  I should find out this Friday about the lottery results  for Ford Ironman World Championship in Kona later this year, I hope to get a spot, we shall see.  As usual, I will be blogging from Las Vegas about the race and the experience.  Happy Trails!

Carpe Diem

Konnichiwa from Japan

I am currently in Japan for some holidaying after my race in Saipan. I was debating going over with every things that has happened but I figure that I could help them by contributing to their economy by traveling. I'm currently in Hiroshima and went for a run this morning, which took me to a traditional Japanese castle! It is quite cold here and I was even seeing some snow flakes during my run. I ran for 45 min or so and i have to admit, running is a good way to see the city you are in, even on holidays. Happy trails!

Carpe Diem

Stats and after thoughts

I got the official stats at the dinner tonight so I figure I would pass it along for those who are numbers savvy. I was 20th out of the water, I got the seventh fastest bike split, first non pro. I was 13 on the run overall. I was leading my age group till the run and failed to realise that the bullet who went by me was my competition. He beat me on the run by six minutes, he was a strong runner. His overall time was just under 3 minutes faster than me. In was only the second Canadian to attend this race. Xterra pro Canadian Mike Vine had been here many times, winning this race and finishing second last year. Although the Canadian shoes were big to fill, I did my best to represent Canada and was glad of the outcome. I hope you will keep following this season as more races will be added to the calendar. Next stop is the suburban rush, a local adventure race that I have been doing for the past 5 years. I'm now off to bed, I believe I earned my rest. Happy trails!

Carpe Diem

Post race results

I have been weighted, I have been measured and I hope I was worthy. After a Tsunami warning last night, I was up early at 415 in order to get ready for the shuttle to the race site at 5 am. I was please with my position that I pick on the rack as in was close to the bike exit, sadly I was also in a red ant colony but I decided to stay there. Listening to my music I made my way to marking after I was happy with my transition setup. 615 was the last brief before the race. We took a moment of silence for the victims of the Tsunami in Japan. A last minute change on the swim course, due to currents and we were off. The swim course consisted of 2 laps of 750 m each with a short run on the beach in between. The first lap went well and I was please with my split. As I entered back in the water for the second one, things seemed diffent. I was being tossed by the waves like I was in a washing machine! I exited the swim in 26 min. I would later learn that we physically swam in a mini Tsunami, hence why the waves were so rough. I guess I can check that off the list! My transition wasn't smooth as much I had hope to from the swim but I was off on the bike. The bike course starts with a nice uphill, the problem is that we had rain last night and a bit this morning, so the course would be slick. As I progressed through the course I noticed that I was about to loose my bottle cage on my rear seat. With all the Tsunami excitement last night, I had forgotten to tighten the screws so sadly I had to finish my drink from my brand new experience cycling bottle and had to toss it, I know the guys at the shop won't be happy with it but I had no where to put it! Shortly there after, I would loose the bottle cage as well. We were lucky as the weather was overcast. I made my way through the bike course in 1:53 and was happy with my time, I was hoping to be under two hours. I survived the bike course with only a few minor scrapes and fell off the bike once. I had a fast transition off the bike until I realized I had left my running belt at my station, so I had to go back and get it. I was wondering if the bike had killed my legs as I had been pushing hard. The run proved to be challenging, hilly and with the rain very slick. I had to hike some up hill portion as well as "death valley" on the down hill as it was too slippery. The cave on the way down was lit and it was quite cool to go through it. The final portion on the run was on the beach, including a water crossing! As in was approaching the finish line, I had no idea where I was standing in my my age group. I knew I had reeled in a lot of riders on the mountain bike portion but didn't know if that would be enough. I would cross the finish line in 3:35:13 with my run portion being 1:15. Considering the terrain, heat and my legs, I was happy with that. I was handed my time card which was placing me in third place. I hadn't realized but due to my number, they had me in the pro division! The timing crew fix it and put me in my age group, which I placed second in the 35-39 age group. I was fourth in the men's and ninth overall, good enough for a qualifying slot for the world in Maui in October. I was thrilled! I stayed around to see my new found Xterra friends Alen and GL, from Grand Rapid Michigan, cross the finish line. This race was great, the organizer run a first class operation and the locals have been wonderful. I somewhat suspect that this will not be the last time I find myself in Saipan, I will have to return next year for the race. What's next you ask? Some drinks, the pool and a dinner with all the xterra's competitors. After all the bad stuff from yesterday, it will be nice to relax. My thoughts are with the victim of the Tsunami and their family. On that note, happy trails! Where ever that may take you.

Carpe Diem

Xterra Saipan, T -16 hours

I ended up going for a short hike yesterday to scout a part of the run course called my some "death valley" with a few Xterra competitors that. Have met here. This section in down a ravine, with rocks, drops, going through caves and such. It was pretty neat to see but I gather it will be a slow section in order to keep my ankles alive!

I woke this morning and after breakfast, I went to the beach for a 20 min open water swim, followed by nice easy one hour bike ride. That's it till race time. I have prepared most of my stuff for the race already and I just need to pickup my race packet. I can tell you that I will be #119 and that there are 8 guys in my age group who will surely battle for the three slot available for the world championship in Maui. The race will start at 0630 local time so for the west coast it will be Friday at 1230 pm.

I frequently get asked two questions when it comes down to racing: Do I feel prepared and why do I do it. The first is simple, I never feel like I have put enough time, but I think it's normal. As for the second question, I race because I get to see places I would probably never would and always meet great people. As for the second question why I race, I forget about the reality, pressures, stress and disappointment that life throws at us, it's just me, the trail and the thrill of the chase and nothing beats that. I will write a full race report tomorrow. Happy trails!

Carpe Diem, I know I will!

Saipan day 5

There was a get together last night organized by the race director. We were at a nice beach bar and grill and I met some of my fellow competitors. Xterra races have the reputation to be laid back where the mere mortals like me can enjoy the compagny of world champs and pros. This was no different last night and that is what makes it fun, you can actually talk to anyone without pretense. I even witness the "green flash" as pointed out by race director Wolf Mojica, which happens at the time where the sun is about to disappear in the horizon, you can actually see it turning green for a split second!

I woke up this morning and finished packing as I'm leaving the hospitality of my local host and move to the host hotel, the Pacific Island Club. Today is a day off from working out and although it was perhaps needed, I wonder if I should have gone running the run course. I just hope that my trail running experience will help me as I won't likely see it till race day. Happy trails!

Carpe Diem

Saipan day 4

After my ride yesterday I ended up doing a little more touring of WWII sites near where I am staying, north island. Banzai cliff was sadly made infamous for the suicide of many japaneese troup and citizen when they were defeated by the US. They had been so brain washed that to them it was the only option. Many memorial were there and I took the time to take a look at them. I also visited the last command post, a japaneese dug out with artillery and a cave.

I woke up early again this morning, so much for sleeping in on vacation! I went for a bike ride close to where I'm staying and decided to visit the last few site close to home while training. I saw suicide cliff, same ideas than Banzai. I then saw bird island and the grotto, which is a cave where divers can go in. Funny enough I saw more chickens! I then finished my ride and went for a 25 min run. I have been writing my blog at this nice Java beach cafe, who has a great deal for lunch every day and free wifi! Highly recommend it if you are in the area. I saw some riders today on their mountain bike, I'm sure they were racers. One of them was riding a specialized hard tail 29 er, the very bike I was hoping to get for this race. I'm moving to the host hotel tomorrow, not wanting to draw too much on the hospitality of my host. Tomorrow is a off day for workouts but I will still post something regardless. Happy trails!

Carpe Diem

Day 3 in Saipan

I woke up this morning determined to go ride the bike course for the race. I was greeted by an email from the race director with directions. I haven't been able to sleep in so I figure I would try to use the morning coolness to my advantage. Wearing the shop's bike shorts and my Canada jersey, I was off. Race directors are always on the sadistic side of things, and this bike course would not be any different with a major climb right off the bat. Once off the tar and on the trails I met a few people still working on them. I also ran into the race director. We spoke briefly and I was on my way. The course was well marked but I blew a marker so I had to come back the hill I just went down. This course has a good mixture of tar, off road, single track, jungle, high grass and stunning vistas. I think I know why they are calling Xterra Saipan the crown jewel of it's global serie. The bike responded well, I fell only once, which was my fault but that's why I like pre ridding the course, won't take that line the next time. I also got attack by a few trees. Nothing like having barking dogs coming at you though, I even saw a chicken crossing the trail at one point! I was happy with my time considering I was not in race mode, hopefully I can build on that for Saturday. I am amazed at how much people are friendly here, everyone was waving as I was riding my bike. The heat is definitely a factor and I can see why the race starts at 630. Happy trails!

Carpe Diem

Day 2 in Saipan

I went to pay my respect at the Saipan's war memorial yesterday. You might not be aware but Saipan was the theatre of some of the most gruesome and savage battles in the pacific during WWII where the US lost close to 4000 men and Japan up to 24000. Saipan would become the largest air base in the pacific and would be the launching pad for the B29 bombers who would ultimately see the atomic bomb drop on Japan and would end the war. After, I then proceeded to build my bike, which always prove to be an interesting job. The boys at experience always pack it with good care so all I had was to put the pieces together, or so I though?! First I was unable to inflate my wheels, I run tubless tires so I need compressed air, no big deal there is a bike shop in town, so I knew I would be able to take it there in the morning. It always good to have a mechanic look at the bike anyway just in case something happened in the transport. I went to bed early still feeling jet lag.

I woke up Monday morning( we are a day ahead here) and took my bike to the shop. The mechanic was not in so I left my bike in pieces and decided to go look for Nemo. Although I'm racing in 5 days or so, I stil have to workout, just not as long or as hard. I went for an open water swim in the ocean where I saw schools of fish, coral and blue water. After my 52 min swim and my mouth full of salt I decided to go see if my bike was ready. Alas to my dismay my bike was not ready and had some issues. I need a new rotor on my ar wheel, was missing a screw on my rear derailleur, bottom bracket had issues. Finally they don't sell c02 canister, and US customs or TSA decided to take mine, so I have to find something for the race in case I flat. No bike ride today, it will have to be tomorrow where I hope to go scout the race course. The people in Saipan are very nice and the weather also helps. I think I might go to the beach for a bit. Happy trails!
Carpe Diem

Hafa Aida!

I landed in Saipan at 1230 am Sunday morning, I'm very lucky, a gentlemen by the name of Stu, who use to race a lot has loaned me his apartment and his car for my first 4 days on the island, his building manager came and picked me up. I went to bed and was up early,combination of time diffence and jet lag. We are 6 hours earlier but a day ahead which is manageable. I went for a run this morning for about 1:15, it was good to get the legs moving after 24 hours of traveling or so. The island is small but the water is very colorful. I'll be exploring today and probably build my bike. Speaking of bike, it appears that it has survived the trip, minus my c02 inflators taken by U.S customs,what a pain. I will blog everyday until the race so stay tuned. Oh the sun is shunning and it's about 35 degree. Happy trails!

Carpe Diem