The triple crown, march of Xterra review

Who would have thought that 16 brave souls would embark on the triple crown of Xterra. They came from the US, UK, France, Australia, Japan, Austria, Switzerland, Guam and as usual yours truly from Canada. What an adventure it has been, from the waterfalls of Guam, the giant crowds in the Philippines and the though but beautiful Saipan course, what a feat. I have had a chance to speak with pros and age grouper alike and seen some fierce competition and stories unfold. Xterra is where it's at if you ask me, the people are so nice and anyone will help you if they can, no matter who they are. The weather has been great and personally I was able to hit a few personal goals, early in the season. I hope this journey might have inspired you to go out there and play and challenge yourself, I know it did for me. Happy trails!

Carpe Diem

Triple crown is over, race report from Xterra Saipan

This was my second year racing in Saipan and it holds a special place for me. It was site of my first Xterra, this is where I qualified for the world championship, I swam in a tsunami and met the Moores and the Browns. An early start again to beat the heat, I was lucky to bum a ride from no one else than top triathlete Renata Bucher. With an arrival in transition at 5:20 for a 6:30 start, there were no lights out just yet. I felt tired, I'm fighting a cold( who gets a cold in the tropics) but I was determined to have a good race, this being the last one of the triple crown. The current was strong this morning and I would soon find out that at the second turn boye, it seemed that I would go backwards at times! I was out of the water and off to the bike portion,which features 2800 feet of elevation gain and some technical descents. I manage to fall and bruise my palm on a non technical section, don't ask me how, but what is done is done. I forged on and got to transition 3 min slower than last year and headed out on the run. The run is fun, technical and grueling at the same time. Some steep climbs but then some very harsh rocky decent. You even go through a cave that was used during the second World War. Once you exit the jungle, it's a beach run to the finish. I would cross the line in 3:27:41, good enough for a third place in my age group and a personal best by almost 7 minutes from last year. This past three weeks have been pretty cool, I have met some awesome people in Guam, Philippines and got to see Al, Allison and Cathy in Saipan. I got to train with some pros, I biked and run in places that most people will probably ever have a chance. I escape injuries for the most part and I have to say, Jason and the crew got my bike so dialed in from Westwood Cycle Maple Ridge that I didn't have any major issues apart from my pedals. I hope you enjoyed the journey, I know I sure did. It's now time for me to hit the lazy river at the PIC and enjoy the rest of my vacation. If you wonder whats next? Xterra Las Vegas April 14, until then, happy trails!

Carpe Diem

The day before the storm....

Last stop of the triple crown, Xterra Saipan, the crown jewel of Xterra. I woke this morning to rain, I thought the many sacrifices to the god of racing such as my iPod in the wash, pedals, crash, heart monitor breaking were enough to keep the course dry! The sun is blackout so it should dry some of it, I hope. After 2 weeks of racing, the pro field is so close that I can see a show down happening on both the male and female side of things. In the age groupers I know a battle is about to take place in my age group with Pete and Cam from Guam who bested me in that race as well as Sublemente, local from Saipan who beat me by 3 min last year. So the stage is set, and at 6:30 tomorrow morning, the gun will go off race like no others. Stay tune for the post race report, until then happy trails!

Carpe Diem

Death Valley, a Saipan run course

Another early morning as I was off to run the course of Xterra Saipan, called by some of us "Death Valley". A mix of pros and age grouper headed out, staging one car at the start of the trail, the other one at the end so we didn't need to run the beach. Our little international crew had Switzerland, Germany, US, Guam and Canada in the mix. The Saipan course is cool and with Guam, is my favorite of all Xterra. At one point we are going down an old creek bed and then enter a cave used by Japaneese forces during WWII, how cool is that. During the race they even place candles in it! This was my last hard workout for the week. Tomorrow will be a light workout in the morning and then that will be it. Happy trails!

Carpe Diem

Saipan, the crown jewels of Xterra

Saipan, for those of you who are not familiar with, was the stage of some furious battles during WWII. The movie windtalker depicts some of it if I recall. This morning I was out to go pre ride the bike course with a couple of pros. Now people might think, why would I do that? Two reasons: one, I learn a lot watching them ride, two, not many sports do you have the chance to do so. The Saipan course is a challenging one, 2800 feet of elavation, close to 40 km in length. Add the relentless heat, technical descents and some monster climbs and there you have it. A quick stop at a market for a cold power aid and we kept on going. After the ride we met more of the racers and local for the tank to tank swim. How cool is it when you get to swim to old WWII tanks, still in the water! It's now time to relax before I got to Taco night, which will be a gathering of racers and some one house for tacos. My friend Allison and her dad Al are doing the race as well this year. For Allison, it will be her first kick at the can for a full Xterra, as for Al he raced here last year and he will also join me in Alabama for the ITU world cross as an age grouper for the US. Tomorrow will be a look at the technical part of the run, which is pretty cool, you go through a cave during the race. Until tomorrow, happy trails!

Carpe Diem

Post Xterra Philippines

It had to sunk in, it was such a cool atmosphere in Cebu yesterday, the crowds were awesome, to be cheered on like that for most of the race was something I will always remember. It was also my first top podium as an age grouper in my Xterra racing, something I won't soon forget. My bike is packed and another 12 hours of traveling is awaiting me to make my way back to Saipan, sadly a lot of that is lay overs at the airport. Looks like some of the tribe is traveling on some of the same flight than me so at least il know a few people. Saipan is hailed as the crown jewel of Xterra and holds a special place for me as it was where I made my formal debut as an Xterra racer and qualified for the world championship last year. In addition I will be racing with my good friend Allison and her dad Al Moore. Stay tuned for the post from Saipan, until then, happy trails!

Carpe Diem

Second stop of Xterra triple crown, Xterra Philippines

24 hours earlier..... I decided to ride one of the technical section not far from the start, steep, lava rocks, you get the picture. I'm not wearing gloves, it's a light ride. First time down no problem, coupled with the 2 yesterday I'm feeking pretty good, let's do it another time just for food measure, that was a bad idea, I crashes, and road rash both knees, destroy my hands. I'm not a happy camper. 24 hours later.....

I'm still feeling not happy about the crash from yesterday, I know I'm a better rider than that, my confidence is not great for this race. I wince and the thought of salt water on my open wounds. Early breakfast at 415 and then off on the bus at 5 am, the race site is about 35 min by bus. To boots, since I washed my IPOD, I don't have any music for the ride. I arrive at transition and de decided to make the best of it, I'm in the Philippines after all. I set my transition, head to body marking, wish a good race to some of the I got to meet, very quickly as I don't want to disturb their routine. It's time to head in the water, I jump in, it's actually not too bad, my spirit rise, maybe il have a good swim today. The gun goes off t 7 am sharp, swimming is always my nemesis, I scout a set of feet, who ever they are they have a Guam race kit, which means they swim in the ocean more often, I decide to hang on. The ocean is for sure choppier than Guam, I will end up booking the swim just under 30 min, I'm happy with that. Quick transition and off to the bike course, 36 km, 2 loops including the nasty down hill where I crashed. The neat thing about this race is that the streets are packed with people and it's awesome. The bike course is a series of dirt, road with steep climbs and technical bits. At the end of the first loop, I decide that I will dismount and run the down hill where I crash. On the second loop, one guy decide to draft me, which I don't mind until he bump into me and them passes me. He looks like he could be in my age group but is going fast and I decide to save some energy for the run. I would book the bike portion under 2 hours, I'm happy with that. Of to the 10 km run, a mystery as I wasn't able to pre run it. Again, the road is line with people, some neat section where you run on small trails as well as bamboo bridges, and the local wildlife, which could very well be served for dinner next! The heat is bearing down on me but I'm still moving along, a short beach run, coupled with wat running and then it's the road to the finish. I have no clue where I stand in my age group at this time. As I approach the chute, I see the finish line being raised, I'm thinking, that's nice they are doing that for everyone, I gues I didn't know but I was the first to come through for my age group with a total time of 3:12:42 a good 4 min or so from the second place. I have to admit, this race was awesome, great organization, tones of goodies and now some hardware to bring home. I'm off to Saipan tomorrow for my last stop in the triple crown serie. Make no mistake, this will be a though race with great racers in my age group including some of the guys from Guam as well as a local from Saipan who bested me last year. It's now time for beers, I think I have earned it. Until the next post, happy trails!

Carpe Diem

Scouting Report: bike coursevXterra Philippines

Picked up my packet this morning at the beautiful Crimson Resort, I wish I was stating there but it's a bit to expansive for me. I will be sporting # 299 for this race. From the Crimson our bikes were loaded in a transport truck and a bus was awaiting to takeus to the race site, which is a good 50 min away! I was lucky again today to pre ride the course with a bunch of pro such as Renata Bucher, Olivier Marceau to only name a few. The course is not marked so we had a local guiding us. First, the course is different from last year, as I gather from Renata who did the race. It's a mix of open road, dirt and grass. Some short steep climbs as well as a few technical rocky bits. Overall I think it will still be a very fast course for the pros. The overall mileage is around 35 km, split in 2 loops. Haven't had a chance to see the run course but my understanding is that it's not too technical. The heat though will be punishing and hydration will be the key for this race. Tomorrow will be a light workout for me and then we are racking the bikes. We are having pre race dinner in town hosted by the Governor. Stay tuned for the race reporton Sunday, until then, happy trails!

Carpe Diem

Day 3 in PI

I was lucky enough to have a training partner this morning, one of the top xterra female and pro triathlete Renata Bucher. That's what's great about Xterra, you can have a chance to do that, just like last week I was riding and running with some of the pro males. Our workout would and old fashion brick, bike and run with some interval work at the end of each session. As we were finishing our bike intervals, one of my pedal unravelled from the crank, for some reason it has seized and each pedal stroke was unscrewing it from the crank! You may recall that I loaned a tube to Renata in Guam, hoping to buy some Karma! Well it was paid in full today as she happens to have a spare pair of pedals, the same brand I use, that she has graciously loaned to me for the race. I'll have see if mine can be fixed but I doubt it. She just saved me! Any how I was able to do the interval run with her and after some difficulty taking the pedals, as I was sweating so much from the workout, I came back home. Tomorrow is packet pickup and finally going to scout the bike course. Until then, happy trails!

Carpe Diem

Day 2 in PI

I woke up this morning feeling much better than yesterday after being up for 22 hours. I headed out for a run before the heat of the day. My IPod is on the fritz, so his my heart rate monitor so I figure it was time to look around me. I have to admit that I had a bit of an uneasy feeling while running. People would say hello, but others would look at me with contempt in their eyes. This in turn made me realise again how lucky we are in Canada and I'm greatful for the opportunity that I have. After my run, a quick breakfast and it was time yo build my bike, which got me a few looks and onlooker from the staff and some of the people staying here. Seems I won't be able to ride the course until Friday when I pickup my package and the shuttles are functioning. Mum off to explore the main city, until next post, happy trails!

Carpe Diem

Second stop of the triple Asia/ Pacific triple crown: Cebu, Philippines

I got up at some ungodly hour this morning for my flight to the Philippines. I arrived in Cebu in the morning, looks like my bike made it ok. It feels more humid here than in Guam. The race course is quite far and I'm not sure if I will be able to see it before Friday as its registration and they will provide shuttles in order to scout the course. I was to tired to build my bike so I went for a short swim I the ocean where I was just being punted by the waves! I will probably built my bike and go explore a bit to tomorrow. Until then, hope you're having fun whatever you do, happy trails!

Carpe Diem

Xterra Guam, afterthought

I woke up this morning, the sun is shinning and I'm famished. I was thinking how great this race has been. First, the local have been so nice like Erin, Rick Julie and of course Eric and our race director and is wife to only name a few! The running course was by far the most spectacular one I have seen in my short Xterra racing career, what a treat! I know Guam is far but I highly recommend this race, no wonder it's in the top 5 off road triathlons to do in the world and is now is a qualifier for the worlds in Maui. Lastly where in the world and name me another sport where age grouper and pros play beach volleyball at 1030 at night by a bar? That's what Xterra is all about. For all of you that made this stay so memorable, thank you! Happy trails

Carpe Diem

Xterra Guam, post race!

I was up bright and early this morning, couldn't even see anything in transition the first 30 min! I set up my transition, got body marked. I bought a few Karma points this morning,mgiving a spare tube to pro Renata Bucher, I figure it couldn't hurt really, she would end up winning the pro women division. The race director has been nice enough to point out I was the first Canadian ever to race in Guam, he also put the pressure saying I was a contender in mynage group, so mmuch for keeping a low profile! The swim was a 750 m lap, twice but no run on the beach. Alas my goggles were leaking, I exited the water in 31:52, slightly desapointed andbknoeingbi would be behind the 8 ball in my age group as there were some fast guys. As usual the pro rack was empty but there was still bikes in transition. I set a fast pace on the tar section hoping to gain some grounds. I past some riders and exited into the single track. If Mars was rideable it would probably look like the Guam bike course, a see of red dirt! I had a relatively clean ride, no crash and a few dismount. I rolled in transition with a bike split of 1:47, not bad but I was hoping for a bit of a fast time. As I was exiting the transition, Eric, the race director, announced that I was sitting in third position in my age group. I was looking forward to the run especially the river section as the temperature was around 37 degree Celsius. I took a wrong turn on the run and I knew I wasn't going the right direction, this was corrected quick enough but as I entered the water fall I saw a guy that look like he would fit my age group. A quick question verified that he was indeed in my age group, it was time to turn it up, I didn't want to get passed. The river section was very refreshing. I saw Jamie Whitmore husband and after a quick hello I kept pushing on. The last section was "beach run" more like a beach swim!!! I would cross the line in 3:17 good for a third place in my age group and 18 of 123 overall. This would also secure a spot for the worlds in Maui in October! So now it's time for compression, food and a the party tonight!!! Stay tuned for next weeks adventure which will take me to Cebu, Philippines for Xterra Philippines. Until then, happy trails!

Carpe Diem

Xterra Guam, less than 24 hours!

I woke up this morning and went to the race site for a short swim, bike and run. I racked my bike and that was it for me, at 830 it was already 33 degrees with humidity! I went back to my host Eric Tydingco to pack up, do some laundry and be ready for my transfer to the hotel. I can't tell you guys enough how lucky I am to have had a chance to stay with him and his family. It 41 degrees and I'm staying inside so my body is fresh for tomorrow. Mil have plenty of time after the race to enjoy the weather. I' ll be wearing number #89 tomorrow. The course should be fun and with close to 165 racers, it should be a good challenge. As usual I have my personal time goals but I'll share that with you after the race. Until then, happy trails!

Carpe Diem

Scouting report:Run course

I went scouting the run course with a couple of pros and locals today and what a treat. Although the course starts on the flat along the road, after some ascent you end up in the jungle going down a river and water falls! I had water up to my waste at one point. When it's 38 degree Celsius, let me tell you the water is refreshing. We caught up to Jamie Whitmore and her husband. If you want inspiration, search no further. Jamie is a former Xterra world champ who's now competing in the challenged division due to the fact that she lost partial use of her leg from a battle with cancer. She's in the river with crutches, now if that isn't phenomenal, what is? All I can say is that she is sexing the day. We finished our run and I have to admit that with the Saipan race, this is the coolest running course I have seen so far at Xterra. Tomorrow is an easy day for me, light swim, bike run. Sadly I'm leaving my host Eric for the host hotel. So far Guam is awesome! People are very nice and very helpful. I will try to post pictures but my IPad is not cooperating with me! Happy trails!

Carpe Diem

Day 2 in Guam

I woke up this morning and went to the outdoor 5o m pool! Sadly they were closing. I got pick up again by Eric and went for a swim in the ocean were the race will be while he was dealing with transition set up. I had planned to go do the run course but it seemed I couldnt find anyone so instead I went riding the race course again. It was another warm day in Guam and I'm definitely can feel the heat. Tomorrow is run day and I'm suppose to lead a few people on the course since Eric will explain it to me, hopefully it will all go well. 2 days till race day, I found out that I'm the first Canadian ever to race Xterra Guam! I also found out that my age group has the deepest field with 15 guys. I'm sure il have my work cut out for me. Until tomorrow, happy trails!

Carpe Diem

Hafa Adai, from Guam!

After 24 hours of traveling, I was greeted by race director Eric Tydingco who is nice enough to have me stay with his family until friday at which point I will be moving to the race hotel. My flight was a bit late leaving Tokyo so I didn't get to Guam airport until midnight. I woke up this morning after a short night, we are 6 hours early but a day head from westcoast time. Eric was nice enough to get a local rider, Rick, to take me on the Xterra course. As we started our ride, we met some of the pro's including Renata Bucher who I met for the first time in Saipan last year. Rick told me to go ahead with them and that we would meet back at his car. The course reminded me of Arizona, Moab and Maui mixed together with its red dirt, washboard and divets. There some cool descent, good ascent and some nice tar section to recover. I anticipate that the pro's will be fast on race day. Tomorrow it's swim and running the race course. It's sunny and 33 degrees and I'm loving it! Happy trails!

Carpe Diem

The March of Xterra

I am on my way to Guam for the first of 3 Xterra races. For those of you who are not too sure where Guam is, it is an island that sits in the Philippines sea. It was also the scene of some furious battles during War World II. It will take me 22 hours to get there and I will loose a day with the international date line. I'm lucky to have race director Eric Tydingco to take care of me for my first 2 days on the island, at which point I will move over to the race hotel. In traditional Xterra fashion, I'm sure the course will be challenging and Xterra Guam was voted in the top 5 off road triathlons in the world. So stay tune for the scouting report dand my impression on the island, I should be riding the course Tuesday to see what it looks like. Oh, and if you wonder what kind of weather, anywhere from 32-38 degrees Celsius. Hope you will follow me on this journey. Happy trails!

Carpe Diem

Gear 2.0: bonking

For many athlete, the word bonking is synonym with " I'm in trouble" for others, they have the vivid image portrayed at Ironman finish when competitors are crawling through the finish line. I'm lucky, I don't bonk often but 2 weeks ago while on a routine trail run, I started to be in trouble. I was shaking and I could feel that all my energy was dwindling, I was running out of calories. Luckily for me, I always carry something, gel, chomps just in case it happens. I took my gel, started to feel better and continued on. I just bring this up as a reminder, alway carry something just in case, especially when you're in the middle of no where. If you have nothing, don't push through or you will be in serious trouble because your body is telling the tank is on empty. Happy trails!

Carpe Diem