World Championship: when it's time to test your metal

I woke this morning at 6 am, Xterra's are a little more civilized, they start at 9 am. I made my way to GL condo where I would also meet Al and Pat and then head on a 5 min ride to transition. Before I left, I broke the top of one of my water bottle, really?! After setting my transition, I headed for stamping, where my race number was applied on my arms, and my age on my calf. I then moved on to sunscreen application and I was set for the start of the race. We were lucky to be blessed by an Hawaian Kohuna before the start. I have been fortunate to race in some big events along the years, nothing make me realize more when you see the helicopter flying and filming the start. 9 o'clock sharp and the canon went off. I decided to seed myself on the inside, a choice that I would regret on the first lap. The water wasn't rough but by the time I got to the first buoy, it was so chaotic that I was pulled under a few times. After rounding the second buoy, things seemed to be a bit better. A short run on the beach and I was back in the water for the second lap. I would ultimately exit the water around the 33 min mark, and to be honest, I'm a bit desapointed with my time. After a quick transition I off on the bike for a 30 km, 4100 feet of elevation gain course. Now I had been riding the course a few times this week and new what was in store for me but I have to admit that it felt warmer this morning on the course with no wind to cool off. I picked up a cold bottle of water before the big climb only to loose it 5 min later! Bad day for water bottles it seemed. A guy from Bresil offered me some of his water, I thought that was a very nice gesture. The course was very dusty and ad I approached the turn where I fell Monday, I was prepared for it. Some more fast decent and I was heading back towards the transition, good for 1:52 on the bike. Although I was hoping to be faster, I was happy with my time. After a fast transition, I was out for the 10 km run, with another 1200 feet of gain. I ran well, despite my size I'm usually a strong runner. I did past some people on the run and with the last 1/2 mile on the beach and a nice climb to the finish line, I was glad to cross at around 3:23:10, good for 34/71 in my age group and 226/628 overall. It was also nice to have my sister and brother in law to cheer me on as well ad Allison, Cathy (Al's family) Chris and Michelle who were also there to cheer Al, GL and Patrick. We all finished, which is great!
I'm glad that attended the Worlds, I surely plan to try to qualify for next year! I wanted to dedicate this race to my mother, although she wasn't here to watch, I'm sure she would have enjoyed it. It's now time for me to get cleaned up and head to the dinner, where World Champions and age groupers will be crowned. I hope you enjoyed the journey, I sure did. Happy trails!

Carpe Diem

The calm before the storm

Today is pre race day, after waking up I headed to the host hotel and did a light workout with my friend and Xterra racer Al. 30 min of spinning on the bike, 20 min run and a 15 min ocean swim was on the schedule. The weather is nice and hot and rumors are that heavy waves won't hit till tomorrow afternoon, so I hope. As much as I would like to be in the sun, I'm staying inside where I can relax, hydrate. Tonight is the night of champion's dinner, then hopefully a good night of sleep. Race jitters are already here and likely won't go away until the canon goes off on the beach at 9 am local time, signaling the start of the 2011 World Championship. You can follow on twitter and Facebook via Xterraplanet.com. As for me, well as usual I have my time goals, I'll let you know how it turns out. There are about 60 guys in my age group, so the competition will be fierce. I will endeavor to give you a full race reports tomorrow after the race. Feel free to pass my blog along anyone you might think maybe interested. Happy trails!

Carpe Diem

Tapering for the world

I went snorkeling this morning with my sister and my brother in law. Not sure that counts for training, fear not I would be at it later. Got sunburned though, not too badly. After the snorkeling, it was time to buy a few souvenir from the world championship at the expo and off for my workouts. 30 min light run and a 20 min ocean swim was on the menu, which I completed with my friend Al. Tomorrow is a rest day, I'm going to a Volcano, I will probably try to stay out of the sun as well. Stay tuned for more updates as race day is coming soon. Happy trails!

Carpe Diem

Number pick up, Lance sighting, the world gets closer!

Today was packet pick up, I will be #255 for this race. I headed out on the bike course again, this time with Patrick. Another warm day would greet us on the course. I was happy with my ride, knocking 5 min off from Monday and no terrible crash this time. Patrick was ahead of me but he had decided to do another small loop so while was waiting at the checkout I saw Lance flying by, with his radio shack jersey. Well that was sighting, at least I can say that I saw the man in flesh! He did the course twice today apparently. I personally think he will win, he looked in phenomenal shape. After the ride it was more time at the beach practicing entry and exit in the water with Patrick, Alan, Allison and GL. Tomorrow will be light run nd light swim. Happy trails!

Carpe Diem

Scouting report: swim and run

I headed to the beach this morning to swim and hopefully feel a bit better about the monster waves. After a crash course from Al on entering and exiting the beach, we were off in the water. I ended up practicing exiting a few times. After the swim, we ended up running the race course. I good mix of climbing, single track and flat with a beach run at the end and a few stairs. This should good. Tomorrow is race number pick up and another ride of the bike course. Weather is nice and a steady 28 degrees. Happy trails!

Carpe Diem

Scouting report: Bike course

I woke up this morning and headed with my steed in order to ride the course. The theme of the day would be climbing. Leaving the beach, the course takes us through the Ritz property and then under the highway. More climbing would great me. The course is wide and it reminds me of some of the Europeen courses. Some great vistas along the way. Some good descent, not overly technical but of loose red dirt and sharp turns. I found out the hard way just after mile marker 11, takingba turn too quicknin loose dirt, I scrape my left hip pretty good, bike was fine and I forged on. I book the course under 2 hours for 30 km which I was happy with. Not so happy about my scrapes, seems like polysporin is my friend. Tomorrow swim and run although the water is very rough here. Happy trails!

Carpe Diem

Aloha :on the road to the Xterra world championship!

There is something to say about islands, the smell of burned wood, the sun and waves crashing. I arrived late last night and alas this morning I couldn't sleep in so I built my bike and headed out for a workout. After close to an hour of riding on the road followed by a 30 min run, I was ready to go pick up my sister and her husband at the airport as they are coming to spend the week with me. The sun is shunning and it is a solid 29 degree. Tomorrow I will be heading to ride the bike course, taking a first look at what's in store for me. I ran into my good friend GL Brown today on his mountain bike as I was coming back from taking a look at the beach where the race start. The Moore family will be coming soon as well and the reunion from Saipan will be complete, in addition, GL's son Patrick will be here as well which will make the Czech reunion complete. Finally, The one and only Lance Armstrong will be racing, how cool is that! Stay tuned for the scouting report from the bike course tomorrow. Happy trails!

Carpe Diem

Gear 2.0 : bike mechanic

You would be surprised what difference it makes to have a good bike mechanic in your corner when you race. I have been lucky, my good friend Chris Lane was a wizard with bikes but when he got out of the industry, Jason and the crew at Cap's Westwood in Maple Ridge took over. Jason has been a great help and has made sure that my racing steed is fine tuned and ready for the world's. Even last minute emergency were looked after and that my friends it's service money can't buy. That you race the world's or any loca race, make sure your bike is in good order, it will make your experience that more enjoyable. Tomorrow will be my first post from Maui, on the road to the Xterra world championship. Hope you'll follow the adventure during the week. Happy trails!

Carpe Diem

Gear 2.0: Rims and tires

Some of you might recall that I had the misfortune with my rear rim at Xterra Canada. I ended upgrading to Easton XC90 rims. I decided to get the matching pair, which would shave the weight of my bike by one pound! Theses wheels are true tubless wheels, which in my view is a must for racing. The also come with a sturdy hub. If you are in the market for new rims for a 29 er at a reasonable price, Easton is definitely your choice. When it comes down to tires,the choice is endless. My number one choice for racing is Kenda slant six, a good overall tire with a good grip for many different terrains. If you need something more aggressive, muddy conditions I recommend the Nevegal by Kenda. I will be using the slant six for the Xterra world in Maui. Speaking of which, I will be blogging every day starting sunday the 16 about my training, experience and island life! Happy trails!

Carpe Diem

Gear 2.0: overstraining

Although I'm not an expert, I have been racing in the multiple sport business to recognize the tell tell sign of overtraining. These are by no mean an exhaustive list but I have experienced it at some point or another. Craving sugar is usually a good one for me, I try not to eat to much of it but when I start craving it every day the bells start ringing. Another signs can be disrupt sleep, fatigue, lack of motivation, grumpy. Whe you have a couple of those signs, it might be time to ease off on your training. Your body is trying to tell you something. Remember always have some fun when training or racing and take the time to enjoy what's around you. Stay tuned for more gear 2.0 as the Xterra world championship approaches. I don't have any races until then but I will be relating my experience in Maui as soon as I land on October 15. Untill then, happy trails!
Carpe Diem