The world is not enough....

Today was race day and I was fortunate to take part in my 3 world championship in Maui.  The weather was nice, sunny and hot.  Shockingly no calamity fell on us today!  No jelly fish, Tsunami or high surf.  Close to 800 people would take part and as I would later find out , 92 guys in my division alone.  After a blessing ceremony the gun went of for the pros and than 2 min later it would be the men.  I started far right as the current was pushing right to left but could have been a bit further.  The swim course is 1500 in a M design, the first peak being 500 m away so by the time you're running on the beach to head back to the water, you're 1000 m into the swim. I had hope to have a better swim time this year but when it was all said and done, it was about the same.  After a transition that could have been a bit faster I was off on the bike course.  This year was a beast with 32 km, 3600 feet of climbing.  I decided to ease of on the first half so I would have something left for the second half. This would pay off as I would be able to tackle the twist and turn of the last few miles and pass people.  Off to T2 with a decent transition and I was off on the run.  Another though run with close to 1200 feet of climbing and a beach run.  I was hoping to be running the same time than last year but I knew that the bike course had taxed my legs, I'd finish slightly slower than last year on the run.  I ended up finishing 26 in my age group and was quite please with it.  This wasn't an easy race and the hot weather did not help either.  Congrats to all my friends that finished, Al, Allison, GL, Roy, Sean and Patrick. Happy trails!

Carpe Diem

Less than 24 hrs to go

Short ride, run and swim today and than it was out of the sun and off my feet.  The weather is turning which means it's going to be hotter. You could already feel it.  In true Xterra fashion, there are three warning for tomorrow.  Flash flood. High surf, box jelly fish.  Pick you poison, I hope non of them comes to fruition.  So race starts at 9 am Maui time which noon pacific.  Feel free to follow at www.xterraplanet.com  Tonight is the mandatory race briefing, dinner than an early bed time.  No marking tomorrow, we have tattoos to apply ourselves.  Stay tuned for the race report.  Happy trails!

Carpe Diem

T-2 days to worlds

Today started with a workout in the pool with Sean and Roy, 1300 yards or so. I then went on my own to ride a bit of the mountain bike course again,  wanted to take a look at the last three miles of the course which is quite twisty and turny.  I even saw Xterra legend Conrad Stoltz from South Africa, a quick hello as he is such a nice and classy guy and I kept going, I think he was stopping to figure out the right line for the section.  Wasn't happy with the way my bike was shifting so it was time to send it to the mechanic for an adjustment.  Tomorrow will be a light workout, haircut for charity and resting my legs out of the sun and finally race dinner.  Happy trails!

Carpe Diem

Open water swim, the DT Fleming factor

Today was a swim at DT Fleming, site of the open water swim.  Now you never know what kind of swimming condition you will get. The shore break wasn't to big today but it was still hard to swim up there.  The Kahuna, Dave Nicholss, director of Xterra was there to get some of the markers and it look far! Oh well we shall see  on race day what the water brings us.  I also did a nice brisk run at the end of the day.  Weather is great and tomorrow will be time for more swimming and a light ride of parts of the course.  It's going to be a beast on the weekend.  Also got my race number #433 and we have nice Xterra tatoo with our last name on it, very cool.  Stay tuned for more updates!  Happy trails!

Carpe Diem

Scouting report: revamp bike course at worlds

Today was the day to sample the bike course in full.  I was aware that changes had taken place  but hadn't seen it all.  Now some people won't like this course and some will.  Let's start with the facts:  there is more climbing total of 3600 feet over 32 km or so.  There is also more single track at the back end of the course. It's very twisty and will be slow at time due to fresh cut grass as well as soft and sandy sections.   I think this will be slower for sure and will have to pace on the first half of the course.  Like my friend Al said, you only have so many matches to burn before the box is empty.  I do feel that this course is more suited for mountain bikers than roadies but will see.  They don't call it worlds for nothing so it shouldn't be easy.  Stay tuned for more updates from Maui, until then, happy trails!

Carpe Diem

T -9 days, when the world comes together

It' s the time of  the year where leaf are falling, days are getting shorter.  This also means that it's the time of the year where ocean swim, beach running and mountain biking in pineapple field is just around the corner.  Xterra World Championship, a chance to test your metal against the best of the best, under gruelling  conditions.  It's one of my favourite time of the year for the past couple of years and this year won't be any exception. Alas my lovely Fiancee won't be able to come as she needs to study for finals.  On the other hand, I am looking forward to see the usual suspects, tribe members that I have been fortunate enough race and have fun with.  I also always enjoy chatting with the pro's that I have been fortunate to meet, train and race with.  Xterra is really a different feel when it comes down to it.  I'm sure this year won't be any different.  We swam in what was left of a Tsunami last year, so you never know what mother nature will throw at you.  The race will take place again on the grounds and around the Ritz Carlton in Kapalua.  This event will be 1.5 km of open water ocean swim, 30 km of mountain bike and 10 km trail run.  I will be heading to Maui on Monday to train, acclimatize myself and have a bit of  a holiday.  As funny as it sound, it helps me decompress from the day to day stress and make me appreciate how lucky I am.  So stay tuned for the scouting report starting next tuesday from Maui!  Happy Trails!

Carpe Diem