Scouting report:Run course

I went scouting the run course with a couple of pros and locals today and what a treat. Although the course starts on the flat along the road, after some ascent you end up in the jungle going down a river and water falls! I had water up to my waste at one point. When it's 38 degree Celsius, let me tell you the water is refreshing. We caught up to Jamie Whitmore and her husband. If you want inspiration, search no further. Jamie is a former Xterra world champ who's now competing in the challenged division due to the fact that she lost partial use of her leg from a battle with cancer. She's in the river with crutches, now if that isn't phenomenal, what is? All I can say is that she is sexing the day. We finished our run and I have to admit that with the Saipan race, this is the coolest running course I have seen so far at Xterra. Tomorrow is an easy day for me, light swim, bike run. Sadly I'm leaving my host Eric for the host hotel. So far Guam is awesome! People are very nice and very helpful. I will try to post pictures but my IPad is not cooperating with me! Happy trails!

Carpe Diem

Day 2 in Guam

I woke up this morning and went to the outdoor 5o m pool! Sadly they were closing. I got pick up again by Eric and went for a swim in the ocean were the race will be while he was dealing with transition set up. I had planned to go do the run course but it seemed I couldnt find anyone so instead I went riding the race course again. It was another warm day in Guam and I'm definitely can feel the heat. Tomorrow is run day and I'm suppose to lead a few people on the course since Eric will explain it to me, hopefully it will all go well. 2 days till race day, I found out that I'm the first Canadian ever to race Xterra Guam! I also found out that my age group has the deepest field with 15 guys. I'm sure il have my work cut out for me. Until tomorrow, happy trails!

Carpe Diem

Hafa Adai, from Guam!

After 24 hours of traveling, I was greeted by race director Eric Tydingco who is nice enough to have me stay with his family until friday at which point I will be moving to the race hotel. My flight was a bit late leaving Tokyo so I didn't get to Guam airport until midnight. I woke up this morning after a short night, we are 6 hours early but a day head from westcoast time. Eric was nice enough to get a local rider, Rick, to take me on the Xterra course. As we started our ride, we met some of the pro's including Renata Bucher who I met for the first time in Saipan last year. Rick told me to go ahead with them and that we would meet back at his car. The course reminded me of Arizona, Moab and Maui mixed together with its red dirt, washboard and divets. There some cool descent, good ascent and some nice tar section to recover. I anticipate that the pro's will be fast on race day. Tomorrow it's swim and running the race course. It's sunny and 33 degrees and I'm loving it! Happy trails!

Carpe Diem

The March of Xterra

I am on my way to Guam for the first of 3 Xterra races. For those of you who are not too sure where Guam is, it is an island that sits in the Philippines sea. It was also the scene of some furious battles during War World II. It will take me 22 hours to get there and I will loose a day with the international date line. I'm lucky to have race director Eric Tydingco to take care of me for my first 2 days on the island, at which point I will move over to the race hotel. In traditional Xterra fashion, I'm sure the course will be challenging and Xterra Guam was voted in the top 5 off road triathlons in the world. So stay tune for the scouting report dand my impression on the island, I should be riding the course Tuesday to see what it looks like. Oh, and if you wonder what kind of weather, anywhere from 32-38 degrees Celsius. Hope you will follow me on this journey. Happy trails!

Carpe Diem

Gear 2.0: bonking

For many athlete, the word bonking is synonym with " I'm in trouble" for others, they have the vivid image portrayed at Ironman finish when competitors are crawling through the finish line. I'm lucky, I don't bonk often but 2 weeks ago while on a routine trail run, I started to be in trouble. I was shaking and I could feel that all my energy was dwindling, I was running out of calories. Luckily for me, I always carry something, gel, chomps just in case it happens. I took my gel, started to feel better and continued on. I just bring this up as a reminder, alway carry something just in case, especially when you're in the middle of no where. If you have nothing, don't push through or you will be in serious trouble because your body is telling the tank is on empty. Happy trails!

Carpe Diem

Team Canada

A few weeks back I applied to race as an age grouper for Canada for the ITU cross world championship in Alabama in May. Unsure if my race resume would cut it, I was happy to receive an email telling me that my application was accepted. I will be racing fornCanada on May 19 in Phelam, Alabama. More important, I will be able to wear the Canadian colours while doing so, which i think is very cool. Stay tuned for the March of Xterra and my trip to Guam starting next weekend. Until then, hope your workouts or goals are moving along. Happy trails!

Carpe Diem

On the road to the South Pacific, one Xterra at a time!

It's been a while since I have had a chance to post anything as I had to attend some personal matters. For some, this time of the year is the off season, for me I am 1 month away from racing! Where you ask? Well I am off March 4 to Guam for the first of 3 Xterra races that I will take part in. Race day is March 10 for Xterra Guam, described in Tri magazine as one of the top 5 Tri to experience in the world. I will then move to Cebu, Philippines for Xterra Philippines on March 18. Finally I will be back to Saipan, the crown jewel of Xterra which hold a special place as it was my first Xterra race last year, which will take place on March 24. I will make sure to share my experience, the inside scoop and the race course as I move along. I am also happy to announce that Cap's and Sugoi will be part of my sponsors for the 2012 racing season. If you know anyone else that would be interested, send them my way! Hope to see you along the way or maybe inspire you. Until then, happy trails!

Carpe Diem