Xterra world, one month away!

As the leaf are turning red and falling on the west coast, we are now one month away from Xterra World Championship in Maui. With a field of over 600 of the best off road triathletes from all over the world, stunning vistas and sunny beach, the stage will be set.  For me, it will be a chance to measure my metal with the best, try to see if I can improve from last year's time.  It will also be a chance to see a lot of my friends who are scattered all across the globe, get some sun and look back at my second season as an Xterra athlete.  Training is moving along although an upcoming travel and work schedule will definetly make it harder, but then again, if it was too easy, I probably wouldn't be doing it in the first place.  I'm looking forward to be riding in the pineapple field, feel the breeze of the ocean and conquer the climbs.  People always ask me why I race, I think it's because for the time I'm racing, I feel like I control my destiny and get to share it with like minded people. That's what keep me training and racing.  Stay tuned for the upcoming weeks to the race, I'll share my training,and off course as soons as I get to Maui, daily updates on the course and the atmosphere at my second world championship.  Until then, I hope you're staying fit, where ever your mood takes you and where you live.  Happy trails!

Carpe Diem

Gear 2.0 Trail running

People always ask me if I like running on the road or running in the trails.  I train and have competed on both surface.  Xterra are off road triathlons and trail running is one of the staples of those races .  Now I also have competed in road Tri and half marathons.  My preference, trail by far .  Even if you are a road runner, trail will do you wonders.  Why you ask? These are the few things I have discovered in the past 12 years of training.  First, trails are in nature and no matter what, the trail seem different every day.  Trail running is not as hard on your joint than the pounding on pavement.  I also believe that road runners will benefit from uphills, downhills, which are not as common on the road.  I also think that trail running is good for balance.  All those rocks, roots and change in terrain helps your body being more efficient.  Lastly, and this is my opinion, I have no scientific fact to back it, but I think that trail running is good for your brain.  There is so much information that your brain process while you trail run with the terrain vs the pavement.  No matter what you do, think about adding trail running into your workout, don't forget to get a pair of trail running shoes, you'll enjoy the trails that much better.  For all of you on the westccoast, I hope you're enjoying the weather.  As for everyone else, I hope you are out there, weather its for a walk, run, ride or something you enjoy.  Happy trails!

Carpe Diem

Xterra Canada Eh!

I awaken to fresh snow on the mountains this morning, not too sure what to make of it.  Roy tells me haven't you heard the rain last night?  I obviously did not as I was passed out in bed.  Now I'm not opposed to snow but that usual means temperature drop which translate in cold water, I don't like cold water.  This race was a bit different with two separate transition.  T1 at the lake and T2 by the Nordic Center.  After a short race briefing we were bus down to the lake.  The swim  was a bit different consisting of 3 x 500 meter loops ( allegedly) the garmin would say 1800 m! I don't need more swim mileage but I digress. The water was still cold and for some reason I just could catch my breath.  Smwim time 29 min.  Onto the bike course where the rain didn't do as much damage as I thought .  I thoroughly enjoyed the bike course and I book the first loop in a decenct time.  After a quick refueling, courtesy of a bottle swap by my girlfriend Stephanie , I was on for the second loop and I have to admit, I was grinning, thoroughly enjoying the bike course.  After a quick transition I was off to the 2 x 5km loop.  I was feeling  pretty good and it was time to see if I could catch up to Roy who usually have a 6 min advantage on me off the bike.  As I was closed to finish the first loop I saw Roy on his second, quick check on the watch told me that he was about a km ahead.  I forged on, not sure if I would be able to catch him.  As Inwas approaching the finish line, I could see Roy in the distance but I wouldn't be able to catch him, finishing 2 places behind him overall.  I was happy with my run time, good for 28 fastest time overall.  I would finish 7/17 in my age group, good for 41/150 overall.  Roy would finish 39 and 6 in his age group.  It was nice to have friendly faces at the finish line,  my girlfriend Stephanie, Barb and my good buddy Elbert and his family from Calgary and my 1 year old god daughter Victoria.  Well that is it for the Canmore adventure, next stop the World Championship in Maui!  Until then, happy trails!

Carpe Diem

Xterra Canada : T-15 hours

After a brisk swim this morning, in somewhat frigid water, we went for a quick run with a stunning vistas in the background.  I am looking forward to the race tomorrow and hope for a somewhat warmer morning tomorrow.  I picked up my packet and will be wearing #88 for the race tomorrow.  I'm all prep for tomorrow, just relaxing for the night and letter the pre race jitters settling in.  Stay tuned for a full race report tomorrow aft the race.  Hope you are all enjoying your long weekend, happy trails !

Carpe Diem