Xterra Whistler

As I woke this morning, I felt lazy, tired.  I then remembered an article written by Chris "Mecca" Mccormack, one of the most successful Ironman about motivation.  The gist of it was that even pro's at time were not always motivating during training session, and although this was a race for me, it helped me focus and start getting motivated for my race.  The gloomy and cold weather was not helping but than I thought about Xterra France and I saud to myself " Can't be worst than that"  As I headed to transition with my Buddy Roy from Brab's condo, a mere 2 min ride with my music in one here I thought to myself, there are worst things I can be doing on a Sunday morning.  This was a small field, probably around 60 racers for the full course.  After setting my transition and scoring a end rack right at the entrance, I went to get body mark.  After a quick swim before the start, the gun went off at 8 am sharp. This race was very spectator friendly with 2 750m loop, 2 technical bike loops of about 12 km and 2 short run loop of about 3 km each.  After a 27 min swim or so, it was now off to get on the bike and to chase Roy, how had just left transition.  The bike course is great, and with name such as the fountain of love, dwarf nebula and Pinocchio's furniture we were in for a treat.  I have to admit that marking on the bike could have been better, Roy and I were victim for a couple wrong turns and  would again be victim of another wrong turn during the first lap.  As the second lap started, with the rain amplifying, which would make roots and bridges a bit more treacherous, I was actually having a better time, without any wrong turns.  I knew Roy would be ahead for a good 6 min off the bike and as I got off on  the run, I started passing people.  I must have passed close to ten runners but would ultimately not catch Roy, that will have to be for another day.  As I cross the finish line, Roy, Barb, Connor, Anne and off course Stephanie were there to great me.  This was definitely a nice bike course, very west coast and challenging but not so much that it could not be enjoyed. Off course a nice sunny day would have been better but such is life as an Xterra racer.  Next stop is the Xterra Canadian Championship, part of the global tour, in Canmore, Alberta on the labour day long weekend.  I know have to step up the training and perhaps find a race in between.  As for now, time to rest for  a bit.  Stay tuned for some training updates and Gear 2.0.  Until then, Happy trails!

Carpe Diem

Scouting report from Xterra Whistler

Is it summer yet? I arrived this morning in one of the mountain biking Mecca, Whistler to pre ride the bike course with my good buddy Roy in order to get ready for the race on Sunday. Gloomy and cold weather was on hand . After a false start of 3 km where Roy blew a side wall, we came back, put a new tire and head back out again. This bike course would not deceive. In typical Whistler fashion, it had some short power climbs, tones of single tracks and bridges. Some rocky section and swooping descent. Overall, a very nice bike course, and much different than France. The weather might be interesting on Sunday so we shall see. Stay tuned for more updates and the post race report. Until then, happy trail! Carpe Diem

Post race report from France

I woke up this morning to the sound of thunder and torrential rain, which is not good! The start time was quite late here in France with a 2pm.  I knew that rain coupled with the fact that the short course was racing in the morning would equal a chewed up course.  The transition was very spacious with double racks with numbers up above, which is easy to sight.  The gun went off sharp at 2 pm and 700 racers plunged into the water of the lake in Xonrupt.  This swim was a one 1500 m lap and it was a bit crazy until the first buoy.  I was out of the water in 27 min and was pleased with it.  As you all know, what would be an Xterra without a few crashes, it seem that I would have to pay my dues to the gods of xterra with 2 crashes withing the first km.  One not too bad, the second one a full over the handle as I was pushed off my track and hit a depression.  Enough for me to have to take the tools out and having to fix my handle bars.  I was off again but I knew that the course would be muddy and that I would have to fight my way through.  1/3 into the first lap, there was so much mud that my chain started sucking up, which caused me to have to either get off the bike up hike of really slow down in order not to snap it.  At the end of the lap, they had a natural jump and if you took it fast enough you could get some sweet air time, problem is the angle would cause the bike to lean forward, but I had paid my dues so no crash.  The second lap was misery, mud, more mud, chain suck.  I also broke the cardinal rule of racing, I used the nutrition on the course although I had never trained with it, it was either that or bunking.  I finished the bike course in 3:15 and to date this has to be the longest Xterra bike course, 39 km with 5000 feet of elevation gain!!! Quick transition and off to the run, which consisted of a 2 5 km loop.  After the first 10 min I found my legs and forged on, booking the run in about 48 min.  Overall time of 4:35, 185 overall.  This was definitely a hard race, due to the climbing and mud.  It was nice to have Dave and Stephanie cheering for me!  I hope you enjoyed the journey, as for me its time for some R and R.  I will be back at it for Xterra Whistler, until then happy trails!

Carpe Diem

In the country of Asterix and Obelix!

Gaule, 50 BC, the Romans are invading, Asterix and Obelix with the help of the druids are drink potion and fighting.....

2012 France, Gerardmer- Xonrupt  Xterra France

Well Asterix and Obelix where some of my favourite comic characters when I grew up, some of you might not have  heard of them but being in Franc made me think about it. As I was looking at the course profile I thought to myself., 2300 feet of climbing is not too bad.  Not the smallest but not the biggest I have seen, until I realised it was per laps and there were two of them!!!  I went riding the course yesterday.  I was lucky to run into my good friend and Xterra Pro Renata Bucher as she was coming from a run.  She was kind enough to loan me a CO2 canister and after chatting for a bit I was off riding.   This course is what I would call a typical European course, big climbs, more climbs and just to add a bit, more climbs.  Some fast descent and a couple flat section.  Some muddy section and with more rain on the horizon and the fact that 720 in the Championship race coupled with another 500 in the short distance, the course should be very interesting comes race day.   I will be off running the run course today. I'm not too sure what to sacrifice to the Xterra Gods for nice weather come race day, but a little mud never hut anyone.  I think I could use some magic potion from Asterix to make me faster on race day!. Stay tuned for more updates and the post race comments.  Happy trails!

Carpe Diem