Scouting report from Xterra Whistler

Is it summer yet? I arrived this morning in one of the mountain biking Mecca, Whistler to pre ride the bike course with my good buddy Roy in order to get ready for the race on Sunday. Gloomy and cold weather was on hand . After a false start of 3 km where Roy blew a side wall, we came back, put a new tire and head back out again. This bike course would not deceive. In typical Whistler fashion, it had some short power climbs, tones of single tracks and bridges. Some rocky section and swooping descent. Overall, a very nice bike course, and much different than France. The weather might be interesting on Sunday so we shall see. Stay tuned for more updates and the post race report. Until then, happy trail! Carpe Diem

Post race report from France

I woke up this morning to the sound of thunder and torrential rain, which is not good! The start time was quite late here in France with a 2pm.  I knew that rain coupled with the fact that the short course was racing in the morning would equal a chewed up course.  The transition was very spacious with double racks with numbers up above, which is easy to sight.  The gun went off sharp at 2 pm and 700 racers plunged into the water of the lake in Xonrupt.  This swim was a one 1500 m lap and it was a bit crazy until the first buoy.  I was out of the water in 27 min and was pleased with it.  As you all know, what would be an Xterra without a few crashes, it seem that I would have to pay my dues to the gods of xterra with 2 crashes withing the first km.  One not too bad, the second one a full over the handle as I was pushed off my track and hit a depression.  Enough for me to have to take the tools out and having to fix my handle bars.  I was off again but I knew that the course would be muddy and that I would have to fight my way through.  1/3 into the first lap, there was so much mud that my chain started sucking up, which caused me to have to either get off the bike up hike of really slow down in order not to snap it.  At the end of the lap, they had a natural jump and if you took it fast enough you could get some sweet air time, problem is the angle would cause the bike to lean forward, but I had paid my dues so no crash.  The second lap was misery, mud, more mud, chain suck.  I also broke the cardinal rule of racing, I used the nutrition on the course although I had never trained with it, it was either that or bunking.  I finished the bike course in 3:15 and to date this has to be the longest Xterra bike course, 39 km with 5000 feet of elevation gain!!! Quick transition and off to the run, which consisted of a 2 5 km loop.  After the first 10 min I found my legs and forged on, booking the run in about 48 min.  Overall time of 4:35, 185 overall.  This was definitely a hard race, due to the climbing and mud.  It was nice to have Dave and Stephanie cheering for me!  I hope you enjoyed the journey, as for me its time for some R and R.  I will be back at it for Xterra Whistler, until then happy trails!

Carpe Diem

In the country of Asterix and Obelix!

Gaule, 50 BC, the Romans are invading, Asterix and Obelix with the help of the druids are drink potion and fighting.....

2012 France, Gerardmer- Xonrupt  Xterra France

Well Asterix and Obelix where some of my favourite comic characters when I grew up, some of you might not have  heard of them but being in Franc made me think about it. As I was looking at the course profile I thought to myself., 2300 feet of climbing is not too bad.  Not the smallest but not the biggest I have seen, until I realised it was per laps and there were two of them!!!  I went riding the course yesterday.  I was lucky to run into my good friend and Xterra Pro Renata Bucher as she was coming from a run.  She was kind enough to loan me a CO2 canister and after chatting for a bit I was off riding.   This course is what I would call a typical European course, big climbs, more climbs and just to add a bit, more climbs.  Some fast descent and a couple flat section.  Some muddy section and with more rain on the horizon and the fact that 720 in the Championship race coupled with another 500 in the short distance, the course should be very interesting comes race day.   I will be off running the run course today. I'm not too sure what to sacrifice to the Xterra Gods for nice weather come race day, but a little mud never hut anyone.  I think I could use some magic potion from Asterix to make me faster on race day!. Stay tuned for more updates and the post race comments.  Happy trails!

Carpe Diem

Gear 2.0 : road and trail shoes

I purchased a couple of pairs of runners and thought I would share my thoughts on them with you. The first pair is the Asics Gel Noosa Tri shoe. This shoe is build for road racing and is very light. The colour scheme is funky and to be honest I like it. It's very comfortable without socks for at least a 10 km or so. I ran a half with it without socks and got a few blister. Overall I really like it but I would probably recommend it for sprint and Olympic distance, especially if you are a heavier runner. Although I love the shoe, I'm not too sure I would wear it for a full Ironman. I probably pushed it for a 70.3. Overall I highly recommend it if you are looking for a fast light road race shoe. The second pair I purchased is the Salomon Misson X trail shoe. Now I am a big fan of Salomon for the trails, that brand has been with me in all my off roads adventures from Mexico to Guam and Saipan. The Mission X is advertised as a cross over from a trail shoe and if needed can be used on the road for shorter distance. After going on a trail run on the weekend I was happy with them but would add this caution: if you're looking for an aggressive stable shoe for roots and rocks, this might not be the right choice, that said its light and performed well in semi dry conditions. I hope that all of you have had a chance to get out there this summer. As for me, the adventure starts again in a week where I will be leaving to compete in the so,d out and highly coveted Xterra France Championship, part of Xterra world tour. As usual I will be blogging about my experience and the race, hope you will join me. Happy trails! Carpe Diem

Grand Rapids half Iron

As I woke at the crack of down before the race, I couldn't imagine a better setting than the Moore's kitchen, looking directly on a still river where the swim would take place as the sun was rising. Transition was a short 5 min bike ride from the house which is even better! With 1200 athletes registered in sprint, Olympic and half, the transition was quite big. I was in the second swim wave and the water was quite nice and it was a wetsuit swim! On the way back, sighting was very difficult as the sun was just at the right angle making it impossible to see. I was pleased with my swim time and it was now time to head on the TT bike. I knew this course would be fast and I was hoping for a good day on the bike. Luckily I didn't get any issue I was able to sustain a 35.9 km/hr pace for the 90 km. after a quick transition it was time to head for the half marathon. By the the sun was out in full force and temperature was close to 30 degrees. My pace was good on my first 10 km but alas I wasn't able to hang on on the second lap. I was still please to run a respectable 1:48 on the run although I was hoping for a little faster time. I clocked the half at 4:58, reaching my goal of a sub 5 hour half, bearly mind you. Al and Allison both finished their Olympic Tri as well. Another good friend nicknamed C2 also finished the sprint. What great time I has visiting and staying at the Moore's for this event. I couldn't have asked for more. I now have to rest a bit, I also have some nice blisters on my feet. The next race will take me to the heart of Alsace in France for Xterra France in July. As usual, i'll be blogging about my experience. Until then, I hope your enjoying some sporting activities and good friendships just like I did. Happy trails! Carpe Diem

Team V

I'm currently in Grand Rapids, Michigan for a 70.3 this weekend and visiting friends. I was invited to go ride with my friend Al's riding group. They are middle aged men meeting once a week to go road riding. I was assured this would be an easy ride, of course I believed him until we are in a pace line doing about 47 km/hr, granted with a tail wind, but I was thinking to myself, I have to race in a few days. What great time it was but it thought me a lesson, never think that a bunch of middle age men will take it easy on a road bike. The evening was concluded with food and drinks and what better way to end. I'm glad I was able to go ride, these guys definetly seized the day. Until Sunday, happy trails! Carpe Diem

Getting ready for my first 70.3 of the season!

This weekend coming up I will be racing in my first and perhaps only 70.3 of the season. 70.3 or half ironman distance is a 2 km swim, 90 km bike followed by a half marathon (21.1 km) So I had to ditch trail runners, mountain bike gear for the road flats and the Tri bike. This Sunday I will be in Grand Rapids, Michigan visiting my good friend the Moores and the Browns. I'm already back east for family affairs so this will just be a short trip on my way back to the coast. I have to admit I usually don't have a bike when I visit my family so to be able to ride next to the St-Laurent river was pretty cool and a good way to train and forget about the daily stress. It should be interesting to see what happen in Grand Rapids since this distance is a bit further than the Xterra races. Speakingbor wich, I will also be heading to race Xterra France in July, but on thing at a time. So stay tuned to the Grand Rapid Tri result and post comments. I hope you are all out there taking advantage of the warmer weather. Until then, happy trails! Carpe Diem