Spindleruv Myln, Czech republic

After landing in Czech republic and spending a day in Prague, it was time to head up to the race site of Spindleruv Myln, 2 hours north of Prague. Woke up this morning, build my bike and headed to pre ride the course. The course was well marked and not too hard to find. It is not overly technical but there is a lot of climbing, surprise surprise. I was having derailleur issues and when I arrived at the ski resort I found a bike shop. Why do I always have bike issues when I travel long distance? In any event, I needed a new chain which has been replaced. It's a 2 lap course for the bike. Tomorrow I will be off for a swim and and run and the the race is Saturday, with a noon start, il be able to sleep a bit and go set up my transitions. The weather has been mixed and on the cooler side. Stay tuned for post race update after the race. Happy trails!

Carpe Diem

Five peaks result

I was on mount Seymour yesterday morning to partake in the 8 km trail running race. The weather was cool at over 200 people had registered for the race. Fearful of being mocked ny my friends Roy and Sean I left the Clydesdale division alone and competed in the 30-39 age group. The weather was cool but swarm of black flies made in impossible to stay in one spot without being attacked. The race started going up hill, I know it's a shocker! Snow, mud, roots and rock would great me, which would make the footing treacherous at times. I came in 9th in my age group and 11th overall and I was pleased with the result. I am now packing for Europe for Xterra Czech republic on the 13 and Xterra Germany, both part of the global race tour. The German race is also the European championship and over 300 racer are registered. Follow my blog as I will chat about my training and racing experience abroad. Happy trails!

Carpe Diem

Mount Seymour, part deux

Some of you might know I was supposed to do the five peak trail run at Seymour a few weeks back. The race was moved due to.... Snow?! So it will be this weekend coming that I will be racing. After that I will be off to Czech Republic and Germany for 2 Xterra races. Stay tuned for race result from the weekend. As well I will be keeping you up to date from overseas. Happy trails!

Carpe Diem

Photo from the last Xterra Race

Xterra Vason Island

This weekend I was headed for Vashon Island Xterra. As I was waiting for the ferry, I discovered a tinny leak in my tubless tire. I would have to put a tube as I wasn't able to seal it. I had never been to this island off Seattle and was pleasantly surprised by it's charm. This race was more like a sprint Xterra, with 800 m swim, 22 km mountain bike and 5.6 km trail run. The swim was in a cove and although it was salt water, it felt more like swimming in a lake. The mountain bike course was a 3 loop course with a big hill right off the bad but the terrain was so loose that it was a hike a bike. Overall the bike course was fun. The trail run course was a two loop course and was a very nice course. I would cross the finish line in two hours. Good for a seventh place in my age group and ninth overall out of 95 racers. As usuall, my age group was very fast with some great riders. I forecast a break next weaken with no races on the harizon. Fear not, I should be back at it the following week for the five peak trail serie. I will also be doing Xterra Czech Republic and Xterra Germany in august. Happy trail!

Carpe Diem

Final results at the Vancouver sprint

Woke this morning to another gray day. As I made my way to Jericho, the weather seemed improving. After setting my transition I went over to the water to watchnthe half iron swim. It's nice to see other swimmer and it gave me an idea about the current. The water was cold and it took a little bit to get used to during my warm up. The race started at 7:45 with the first wave being the men's field. A frantic pace ensued with some bumping and grabbing as it usually happens. I exited the water in 8:38, which was my fastest swim time for this event. After a quick transition, I headed on the bike, aware that Sean and Roy were ahead of me. I would book the ride course in 43 min with an average of 36.6 km an hour. Another quick transition and I was off for the run. I gave my best to try to catch my buddy Roy but at the end, he would cross the line about 40 seconds ahead of me. I would cross the line 2 minutes faster than last year and I wad pleased with. Sean would finish second overall and would win the friendly wager with a 40 km/hrs speed average! I would finish 5/58 in the 30-39 and 16/233 overall. I will be down in Vashon island next weekend in Washington for an Xterra race. Happy trails!

Carpe Diem

Sprint at Jericho: friendly wager on the line!

Tomorrow is the sprint tri a Jericho, voted one of the top 10 urban triathlon in the world! I have been roped into a friendly wager with two of my friend who are also doing the race. Sean , who used to race pro and is now a coach and Roy, known as the bike slayer as he's a phenomenal rider. The wager is a cold beverage, the stake is the fastest bike split. A sprint is fast and furious, it's a 500 m swim, 26 km bike and a 5 km run. We will see what happens tomorrow, 7:45 is the start. Happy trails!

Carpe Diem