Saipan, back to where it all begun

Four years ago I did my first official Xterra, it was a Tsunami year, I met the Moore's and Brown's and it took off from there.  Forward 4 years later we are back at it, adding army to the mix.  We went pre riding the course this morning and were fortunate to ride with a couple pros from Austria and one from South Africa.  This course is in my view more challenging than Guam with more single tracks and trickier section covered on coral stones.  Theses stones are so slippery when wet that it makes it impossible to ride.  Today was no exception and that section was wet.  All the other section were the same and it was nice to be riding and get used to the course again.  We took off early as the heat can be punishing but even at 830 in the morning, it was quite warm.  The temperature was showing 34 degrees at the end.  Luckily there is a nice little store where you can buy cold drinks half way through the ride.  The ride up mount Tapochou is still brutal and I'm certainly not looking forward to it on race day.  There will be time for more riding but later il go for a light run and tomorrow will be doing the famous tank to tank swim where we get to swim to some old WWII tank that got stuck during the invasion.  Stay tuned for more updates, until then, happy trails!

Carpe Diem

Guam, when all the planets align

I woke this morning nice and early, breakfast consisting of two packets of apple cinnamon oatmeal.  We arrived in transition with 45 minutes to spare, having racked our bikes the previous day, all we had to do was to setup and put air in the tires.  Speaking of which, my front tire was low and I hope this was not the result of a slow leek.  The gun went off on time at 7 am, in order to beat some of the heat of the day and the 120 racers or so were off. The water was tranquil but the sun was at the right angle making it hard to sight on the way back.  Swimming felt good, I was trying to remember what my friend Rich had instilled in me from our weekly meeting in the pool.  It felt good but I couldn't find any feet to latch on.  I came out of the water fairly fresh but was hoping for a better  split, no time to dwell on it, had to catch up on the better swimmer, not knowing where I was.  I would be ultimately be 30th.  Smooth transition on to the bike. The first part is a long stretch of paved road, perfect to put the gloves on, grab some calories and start the long climb to the trails.  I got into a rhythm  and started passing people.  I was caught by a kiwi pro but I latched on his rear wheel and pushed a bit more to get some momentum. He would quickly dismiss me on another climb but I was glad for the effort.  Once in the trails I was alone for a little while but could also hear the distinctive sound of a biker trying to catch up.  After riding by a couple of war world II tanks my pursuer caught me and I let him lead, hoping to capitalize on his trail knowledge to pick the best lines (he was a local).  I was also worried about my tires but they seemed to be holding.  After exiting to another paved section with a steep down hill, I decided to pass the same guy that had passed me earlier and get some distance, he looked like he could be in my age group.  Back in the trails for the last off road section I would catch Pro Renata Bucher just before the green monster and was taken aback as she is usually not seen by me until the finish line. The last section of the bike course is a steep road descent to the finish.  I told Renata she could draft me and Switzerland got on the Canadian express to T2 grabbing some 60 km/hr speed on the descent.  I was really pleased with my bike time, gaining 12 min from last year on a longer course.  Another quick transition and I could see Renata in the distance as she was now playing catch up with the 2 pro females ahead of her.  Now the run course is by far one of the coolest on the circuit, one out of the heat you head down water falls and run in the river!  I could still see Renata in the distance.  Than the TSN ( that's ESPN for my American friend) point happpened.  A left arrow to take you out of the river had been missed by the two leading female pro and Renata missed it as well till I yelled at her "Arrow left". Just like that Renata had taken the lead.  After going under the highway and nearly giving myself a concussion for standing too quickly and hitting my head on a metal beam,   We both made our way to the finish and in true class that she is, Renata let me cross the finish line ahead of hers.  I finished the race in 3:03, which is a PR for me.  Good enough for overall on the amateur field and 8th overall.  This was one of those races where all the planet aligned just right.  Now let's not forget about the rest of the tribe! As I was running out I saw Roy coming in on the bike, which was awesome knowing that he's battling health issues that most people would stay put.  By the time I finished Al was already on the run.  Alison and GL came in with plenty of time to spare before cut off so everyone would make  finish the race.  So what's next? Heading out to Saipan for the week for a second race.  I also need to thank a few people, first and foremost Steph for looking after me, Cap's Westwood for all my bike needs and the awesome bike tuning.  Synergy/Gray, Vega and Sugoi.  Stay tuned for more post from Saipan, as for me, it's banquet and award night.  Happy trails!

Carpe Diem

8 hours to go to Xterra Guam

Quick post before the race, bikes are racked, bags are packed and bottles are done.  Expecting a warm one out there tomorrow.  it's almost bed time although always hard to get a good night do sleep the night before a race. Race starts at 7 am sharp with 2 x750 m loop swim followed by 35 km of mountain biking and a stunning 8 km run down water falls. Very competitive field in my age group at least 15 to 20 guys, this won't be easy.  I'll be number 20 in your program.  Stay tune for the post race report.  Happy trails!

Carpe Diem

Scouting report from Guam

After waking up to rain and wondering if the course would bev dry, the tribe went for an open water where I proceeded to sun burn.  Nothing like water and sun while your swim to burn your bike.  That said I saw some great marine life and a few school of fish.  We had a quick lunch and Al, Roy and myself met Rick who was our guide while GL and Allison would go run.  I always feel we are on Mars once we enter the trails in Guam, red dirt and rock make for quite the site.  We were also joined by SA pro Nico.  Poor Roy bailed on one of the technical descent but that would be the only casualty for the ride.  Al was riding well despite coming from a harsh winter on the east coast.  The course winds it's way through some old WWII tanks which is pretty cool. I forgot my camera today but we will ride tomorrow again so I will take some photos. Still jet lagged so it will be an early night for me.  Happy trails!

Carpe Diem

On the road again, Guam and Saipan here I come, or sonI hope

I'm writing this blog in the early hours of the morning, as the trek has started for Guam and Saipan Xterra 2014, I'm now in Japan waiting for a bus to switch airport to catch our last leg to Guam with travel companions Allison and Roy, I must ponder...was the sacrifice of a carbon frame two weeks ago to the Xterra gods was not sufficient to grant me smooth sailing? ( I wrecked a carbon frame due to my rear tire out of true which shaved almost all the carbon layers) One of my bags is MIA at this time, between aiport, continents who knows where.  I'm looking foreward to sun, heat and racing.  I feel like my training has been going well.  I have focused on swimming and with the help of my buddy Rich and his swimming tips, hope it will pay dividend in the water.  Speaking of bikes I'd be lying if I didn't thank my bike mechanic Jason and the awesome crew at Caps Westwood Maple Ridge store who flipped my bike in record time as well as Gray and Shaun the Canadian rep for getting a frame in about 36 hours!  I'm also looking forward to see the usual suspects and the tribe at each races, always nice to see everyone.  So stay tuned for tails from the trails, scouting reports and race report as it is after all the March of Xterra!  Happy trails

Carpe Diem