Saipan where it all started 4 years ago.

My first Xterra was on this very island 4 years ago amidst a Tsunami, this is where it all began, met some life long friends in the Moore's and the Browns and Xterra racing took off from there.  Fast forward to this morning, where 60 brave souls lined up on the beach where the American invasion forces landed some 70 years ago.  The swim was interesting, a strong current combined with a low tide  made for dolphin swimming where you push off the bottom and stay under to avoid the current.  Too bad I couldn't practice that in the pool with Rich.  I came out of the water  middle of the pack and  hit the pedal to the metal on the the first climb in order to catch up on age groupers.  The bike course is challenging with a lot of climbing.  I passed some peoples but for the most part I was alone on the ride.  A cloud cover was welcome during the assault on Mt. Tapochau  but some strong winds almost threw me off my bike!  The coral section was rideable today which  made it better but those last climbs were taking a toll.  After a quick transition it was time for the run, which is also grueling.  It's a jungle trek!  By that point I have no clue where I stand in the race. As I exit Death Valley I can see a runner ahead of me.  As I catch up I see that he's an age grouper, I passed him, look at my pace on my watch and hope he wouldn't be able to keep up.  All I could hear was the sound of his runners hitting the pavement.  I just hope I had more in the tank than him as I made the right turn heading along the beach with about a mile to go.  Luckily for me I would cross the finish line ahead, claiming my age group and a first overall amateur for the second week in a row and again I have punched my ticket for Worlds in Maui.  Congrats to pro Ben Allen and Carina Wasle for their win.  A big shoutout to Roy who cross the finish line healthy and happy.  Jay for a hard day of racing.  The commander winning his age group, GL for being such an inspiration and to Allison for breaking the Saipan curse.  I also need to thank a few people, first and foremost my fiancée Stephanie who, although stuck in school, was cheering from afar and always support my racing endeavors.  To my sponsors, Caps Westwood Cycle, Synergy/Gray, Sugoi and Vega nutrition, for the products I get to use, I'm grateful.   It's been two weeks of great training and racing, the next couple of days will be for some R and R before heading back to reality.  It wouldn't be Saipan if I don't get to eat some BBQ spam!  Happy trails!

Carpe Diem

Battle ground Saipan

Saipan has seen its fair share of battles, major launching point for the US during WWII.  I suspect it might see its share of mountain assaults tomorrow morning when the gun goes off at Xterra Saipan.  Pro field is stack and it should be a battle both on the men and women, this shall be interesting at the finish line.  The race consists of two 750 m swim laps with a beach run in betweent.  Next is a 30 km mountain bike and finishes with a gruel 12 km trail run.

After a very light workout this morning, we just came back from packet pickup.  Funny enough I have number 120, I had 20 in Guam. Not too sure what the weather has in store so will find out soon enough in the morning.  This is a smaller field than Guam but will be non the less competitive.  We shall see where the chips may fall when the dust settle from amphibious and  land attacks.  Stay tuned for the post race report.  Happy trails!

Carpe Diem

Tale from the trails...Death Valley

Very warm conditions in Saipan we try to have our workout down early in the morning.  Went rode the back side of the course yesterday with the tribe and Alex from Russia.  He's a very strong age grouper and one to watch for sure on race day.  Thx to a person that shall remain nameless ( that's you commander) the climb to Tapochau to hook back to the course was not easy. Mean while GL and Allison found a much better mode of transportation.  With the back side completed and the coral no less slick, we headed to the Tank to Tank swim, a beautiful 1200 m open water swim to WWI tanks with full of  sea life.  This morning, Roy, Jay and myself headed out to ride the first half of the course where Jay would continue on to do the whole thing.  Conditions were dryer than 2 days ago which should be good if it stays that way for race day.  Roy and I than got a ride to Death Valley on the run course to take a look at it.  Imagine a dried river bed with lava and Coral rocks, drops and cave to navigate.  It's another run course where gloves are mandatory.  So that's it until race day.  Very light workout tomorrow.  Just changed my derailleur hanger as I bent my other one on day one.  Two days to go until Xterra Saipan!  Happy trails!

Carpe Diem