Xterra world, one month away!

As the leaf are turning red and falling on the west coast, we are now one month away from Xterra World Championship in Maui. With a field of over 600 of the best off road triathletes from all over the world, stunning vistas and sunny beach, the stage will be set.  For me, it will be a chance to measure my metal with the best, try to see if I can improve from last year's time.  It will also be a chance to see a lot of my friends who are scattered all across the globe, get some sun and look back at my second season as an Xterra athlete.  Training is moving along although an upcoming travel and work schedule will definetly make it harder, but then again, if it was too easy, I probably wouldn't be doing it in the first place.  I'm looking forward to be riding in the pineapple field, feel the breeze of the ocean and conquer the climbs.  People always ask me why I race, I think it's because for the time I'm racing, I feel like I control my destiny and get to share it with like minded people. That's what keep me training and racing.  Stay tuned for the upcoming weeks to the race, I'll share my training,and off course as soons as I get to Maui, daily updates on the course and the atmosphere at my second world championship.  Until then, I hope you're staying fit, where ever your mood takes you and where you live.  Happy trails!

Carpe Diem

Gear 2.0 Trail running

People always ask me if I like running on the road or running in the trails.  I train and have competed on both surface.  Xterra are off road triathlons and trail running is one of the staples of those races .  Now I also have competed in road Tri and half marathons.  My preference, trail by far .  Even if you are a road runner, trail will do you wonders.  Why you ask? These are the few things I have discovered in the past 12 years of training.  First, trails are in nature and no matter what, the trail seem different every day.  Trail running is not as hard on your joint than the pounding on pavement.  I also believe that road runners will benefit from uphills, downhills, which are not as common on the road.  I also think that trail running is good for balance.  All those rocks, roots and change in terrain helps your body being more efficient.  Lastly, and this is my opinion, I have no scientific fact to back it, but I think that trail running is good for your brain.  There is so much information that your brain process while you trail run with the terrain vs the pavement.  No matter what you do, think about adding trail running into your workout, don't forget to get a pair of trail running shoes, you'll enjoy the trails that much better.  For all of you on the westccoast, I hope you're enjoying the weather.  As for everyone else, I hope you are out there, weather its for a walk, run, ride or something you enjoy.  Happy trails!

Carpe Diem

Xterra Canada Eh!

I awaken to fresh snow on the mountains this morning, not too sure what to make of it.  Roy tells me haven't you heard the rain last night?  I obviously did not as I was passed out in bed.  Now I'm not opposed to snow but that usual means temperature drop which translate in cold water, I don't like cold water.  This race was a bit different with two separate transition.  T1 at the lake and T2 by the Nordic Center.  After a short race briefing we were bus down to the lake.  The swim  was a bit different consisting of 3 x 500 meter loops ( allegedly) the garmin would say 1800 m! I don't need more swim mileage but I digress. The water was still cold and for some reason I just could catch my breath.  Smwim time 29 min.  Onto the bike course where the rain didn't do as much damage as I thought .  I thoroughly enjoyed the bike course and I book the first loop in a decenct time.  After a quick refueling, courtesy of a bottle swap by my girlfriend Stephanie , I was on for the second loop and I have to admit, I was grinning, thoroughly enjoying the bike course.  After a quick transition I was off to the 2 x 5km loop.  I was feeling  pretty good and it was time to see if I could catch up to Roy who usually have a 6 min advantage on me off the bike.  As I was closed to finish the first loop I saw Roy on his second, quick check on the watch told me that he was about a km ahead.  I forged on, not sure if I would be able to catch him.  As Inwas approaching the finish line, I could see Roy in the distance but I wouldn't be able to catch him, finishing 2 places behind him overall.  I was happy with my run time, good for 28 fastest time overall.  I would finish 7/17 in my age group, good for 41/150 overall.  Roy would finish 39 and 6 in his age group.  It was nice to have friendly faces at the finish line,  my girlfriend Stephanie, Barb and my good buddy Elbert and his family from Calgary and my 1 year old god daughter Victoria.  Well that is it for the Canmore adventure, next stop the World Championship in Maui!  Until then, happy trails!

Carpe Diem

Xterra Canada : T-15 hours

After a brisk swim this morning, in somewhat frigid water, we went for a quick run with a stunning vistas in the background.  I am looking forward to the race tomorrow and hope for a somewhat warmer morning tomorrow.  I picked up my packet and will be wearing #88 for the race tomorrow.  I'm all prep for tomorrow, just relaxing for the night and letter the pre race jitters settling in.  Stay tuned for a full race report tomorrow aft the race.  Hope you are all enjoying your long weekend, happy trails !

Carpe Diem

Xterra Canada Bike course

As the sun crested over the mountains this morning I was hoping the temperature would go up!  Roy and I headed to the Nordic Center to scout the bike course.  The course consist of two 10 km loops.  A short 2 km from the swim on the first lap for a total of 22 km.  this bike course is awesome, through cross country bike course with some climbs and nice swooping descent.  A few technical descent to add to the mix makes it for a great ride.  Plenty of space for passing and with a hill named EKG you know the gold old heart will be working.  The marking was great and it was easy to find the course.  I'm always amazed how well Roy descends, former down hill MTb racer, he makes it look easy.  This course definetly suites a dual suspension bike better but I will survive with hard tail.  In all this has the making of a great race, let's hope it all comes together on race.  Happy trail!

Carpe Diem

Xterra Canada

After a10 hour drive, around and I arrived in Canmore Alberta, site of the 2012 Xterra Canada Championship, part of the world tour and Maui qualifier.Surrounded by majestic glacier and high peak, the vista is breath taking, only if I could breath easy!  Niched at 4900 feet, this sea level kid is feeling the altitude a bit.  Roy and I got changed quickly and went running one loop of the run course.  Great marking made it easy to find and the run course is awesome.  Single tracks combine with swooping trails with rocks and roots make for a fun course.  Tomorrow we will head over to the bike course.  Stay tuned for more scouting report, until then, Happy trails!

Carpe Diem

The Lance Factor

As I was running earlier I was thinking about Lance, his career and the USADA.  Now I don't give my opinion very often and like everyone out there I don't have all the facts.  Some people know more than me, some don't.  That said I still remember Lance giving the look to Ian Ulrich of Germany at the tour and taking off up hill.   At that moment I was sold and got interested in the sport of cycling.  The reality is that Lance has never tested positive,  and he is one of the most tested athlete in the world.   Has he or has not taken performance enhancing drugs, who knows.  What makes me sad is that many people tend to forget what he has done for Cancer.  His foundation has raised 500 million dollars for cancer research and has helped thousand of people, some I know very well.  It also makes me sad that people are now saying " what does the yellow band signifies now" It signifies the fight against cancer, the hope for a cure, the  reminder of lost ones.  Let's not forget all the good that Lance has done, that you like him or not, he still beat cancer and helped others.  As for the USADA, seem weird that you can go after past performance and only going after one person, looks like a witch hunt to me.


On another note, one week or so before Xterra Canada, stay tuned for the usual scouting report and race action packed in Canmore, Alberta.  Happy Trails!

Carpe Diem