ITU race report from the deep South!

I was in a bit of an unknown territory this morning, a swim with no wetsuit or no speed suit allowed, this should be interesting. On race morning I'm always a bit nervous, but adding the fact that I was wearing the Canadian colors, it seemed to add a bit of weight on my shoulders. This race format was different and the men get their own start. I exited the water in 30 min, not as good as I hoped for but not as bad as well. Off to a fast transition and out on the bike course, trying to reel the competition. You have to understand, this bike course did not have a lot of room to pass, which makes it hard at times for me to pass faster swimmers but slower riders. At one point, an American rider past me, on the right, without even announcing, to add he pushed me and I ended up crashing against a tree. He never said a thing or even apologisied. I got up on my bike and forged on, trying to recuperate the time, position and people I had passed. There was one big climb on this single track course, although long, it was gradual. Once I arrived at blood rock, a section that deserved that name, I elected to get off my bike and run it. After that it was mostly down hill back to transition. I had a another fast transition and headed out on the two 5 km loop. The run wnt well, minus a fall close to the end of the first lap. I would book the course in 2:39 , good enough for 13/29 in my age group with 8th fastes bike split in my age as well. This race was a very neat experience and the usual suspects Al, GL and Allison were also racing. In addition, great job by Pete Lombard from Gum, whom I met when I raced there. NHL raced the entire course with a broken rib, what an inspiration. As for me, my next race will take me to Grand Rapid, Michigan in 3 weeks for a traditional 70.3. Time for me to rest. Happy trails! Carpe Diem

News from the deep south!

We are about 24 hours away from the race. This is definetly a bit different since the ITU is involved. I'm looking forward to race, 8:05 start for the men. The course consist of two 750 m laps, 24.5 km of mountain biking and 10 km trail run. I think this will be a fast race. Again, this will be a special day for me, wearing the Canadian colours, having my family name on my kit, very cool. The weather is supposed to be nice and warm, just the way I like it. Time for an early bed time, will shall see what comes of it tomorrow. Feel free to follow the action at www.xterraplanet.com As usual, I will post my post race impression about the race tomorrow. Hope you will follow me, Happy trails! Carpe Diem

On the road to the ITU world cross championship

After a long day of travel yesterday to Pelham, Alabama I was up early this morning. After a quick breakfast and putting my bike together, I headed over Oak mountain Park, the theatre of this year's ITU world cross Championship. The bike course had been shorten a bit but it is a very cool course. Mostly single track with twists and turns, it will be a fast course. One big gradual climb and the more descents awai with a few tricky section. This will be a non wetsuit and no speed suit race for the swim. It will slow me down a bit but I guess it will make for a fast transition! Weather is beautiful and the race should be fun. A stacked field of 29 in my age group with only 2 Canadians and one South African to compete against team USA. I picked my race packet today as well, I wispoke wearing #254 for this race. Tomorrow another light swim and a run, race starts at 8:15 local time. Feel free to check it out. Il keep posting updates. Until then, happy trails! Carpe Diem

Racing for Canada, what an honor!

In just about 11 days I will be in Pelham, Alabama for the ITU cross world championship. I am fortunate that I wll be wearing the Canadian colors with the Maple Leaf. I will be joined by a dozen or so Canadans, some age groupers, some pros, in representing Canada. I just got my race kit a few days ago, pretty cool to see your name printed on your race kit. I'm looking forward to race and see all my Xterra friend down there. Training is moving along but I also know the the competition will be fierce, my age group tends to be extremely fast so will see what happen. Hope you are all getting out there's the weather is getting better. As usual I will be blogging as soon as I arrive in Alabama next week. Until then, happy trails! Carpe Diem