Guam, when mud attacks!

After so delays getting over to Guam from Saipan, thanks to United airline, Al and I decided to go pre ride the bike course.  We met, Ben Jacqui and Cameron who had just rode a small section, too much mud they said.  We headed out with a couple others thinking we could get out of the muddy section.  Well that was a mistake, 2 hours and 45 min later, bike covered in red clay, we made it back.  The mud was so thick at times it would fully lock my wheels.  Say the least we all hope it dries off, if not, this will be a bike a run more than anything else!  Today I'm off to explore the run course, which mean I will be going down water falls and run or swim through a river.  Wish me luck!  Happy trails

Carpe Diem

It's not always about the bike

I raced in the Tagaman today, being a road Tri I needed to used a road bike, couldn't bring my carbon steed, airline makes traveling with one bike expansive, you can imagine two, so my TT bike had to stay at the stable.  With the help of Local racer Paul I got my hands on a giant, half aluminum, half carbon.  Add some clip TT bars loaned by Derek and installed by Al, pro Ben Allen and I at the last minute yesterday.  To top it all off I decided to race pro, why not.  I decided to wear my Canadian red kit today,  trying to represent Canada and hoping that my Fiancée former colours as an Olympian would bring me good luck as I was still desapointed about my previous week DNF.  It was another early morning with a 6:15 race start in the water.  After setting my transition I went and swim in the water.  The ocean was at low tide and there were spots where it was quicker to walk than to swim.  The pro field was getting its own start, not that it would make a huge deal for yours truly, swimming is not my forte.  As the gun went off, some swimmer went straight in the water where as other ran on the beach to get in direct line with the first buoy.  I liked that ideas so I went along for the ride.  It was a 3 laps swim, I would book the 2000 m in about 34 min, not a bad time for me.  The bike is usually one of my strong suite but with a borrowed bike and little practice time, I wasn't so sure how it would turn out.  It's a good thing this course didn't have too many major hill, as I found out half way at the big climb, the gear ratio was not too friendly, I could barley go up the hill!  The way back was fast, with a tail wind and a gradual descent, I was able to grab some nice speed.  I'd book the 60 km in about 1:48.  After a quick transition, it was time to head on the running course, a flat 15 km awaited, in the warm weather and over looking the blue ocean.  With a tail wind for the first part, things were going pretty well, sub 8 min. Miles on the first 2.5 miles or so.  After that I settled and finished the run in about 1:15 for. Total of 3:40.  This was a fun race, despite racing on borrowed bike and all.  I hope this race will server as a stepping stone for Xterra Guam next week, I will  be back on the mountain bike and hope to have a good race as it appears that my age group has one of the most participant.  Kudos to Al Moore who finished strong as well as Ben and Jacqui, both winning the pro division.  After all, it's not always about the bike.  Happy Trails!

Carpe Die

Tagaman, 17 hours to go

Another week has come and by and race day is almost upon us.  It has been raining on and off today but I was still able to ride and run with Al as we are both taking on the Tagaman race tomorrow morning.  The Tagaman is a road Tri consisting of 2000 m swim, 60 km road bike and a 15 km run.  The gun goes off at 6:15 which makes me wonder how the heck am I going to be able to see the turn buoy when the sun is not up for another 15 min ?! I was fortunate to have a road bike loaned to me for the race so we should see what happens.  Stay tuned for the race recap tomorrow, and for my westccoast friends, hops you're not drowning in the Pineapple Express.  Happy trails!

Carpe Diem

Hash run in Saipan

Yesterday was another beautiful day here, headed out for a ride with Al, still trying to figure out the road bikes so we took our mountain bike.  We rode to Bird Island view point and the Grotto and then back to the hotel.  I forged on for the Tank to Tank swim and had a solid one.  In the evening, we were invited to a Hash run.  The Hash run is a group of people who meet at a specific point.  Then the " hare" or course marker will leave 10 min ahead and will mark the trail with flour, sometimes sending you in wrong directions depending of the markings.  Add the fact that is complete darkness and that you have a flash light and that you are running in rugged country, that makes it interesting.  It was a cool run and at the end, a few beers and Gatorade awaits.  Today is a day off, picking up a carbon road bike that is being loaned to me for the race.  The weather has been nice but I have seen more rain than the previous years.  That said, it's still 30 degree plus.  The weekend is almost upon us which mean its almost race time.  Happy trails!

Carpe Diem

Week 2 in Saipan

The weekend has gone and by and another week of training is upon us.  Went and did the cool tank to tank swim yesterday as well as a 40 min run.  GL, Allison and Cathy departed early this morning leaving Al and I on the Island.  I got a replacement handle bar and today we went for a 43 km ride.  I should take delivery of my road bike today so with Al master skills as a bike fitter, I should be good for a longer ride tomorrow on the new bike.  We are invited with all the off Island competitor to a Mexican dinner tonight so it should be fun to see everyone.  The weather has been on and off with a fair amount of rain but it looks like the rest of the week should be good.  The people here are so friendly and so nice, I highly recommend everyone to come to Saipan and race Xterra!  More to come later this week.

Happy trail!

Carpe Diem

When it rains.....

Woke this morning, feeling good.  The hotel was a short distance from the start of the race, quick rack and was back in my room for breaks.  The usual pre race meal, 2 packets of apple cinnamon oat meal and I was good.  You could see rain could on the mountain, rain.... Really! As the gun went off, the current was fairly strong to the first turn, by the second turn, I needed to have a 50 degree angle just to stay in line.  After a rough swim, I was out of the water, bit slower than I though with a 33 min but I think the course was a bit long, the watch said 1.76 km.  up on the bike and it was raining, I was settling into a rhythm after the climb and was just heading into the single track when the improbable happened.  As I took a turn and went over concrete, I leaned into my left side and my carbon handle bar shattered in half.  That was it for me, race over.  DNF, first time in 3 years of Xterra racing and nothing I could do about.  Very desapointed, roll back down the hill and rack my bike.  I was shortly met by David from New Caledonia, his bike had failed him.  Allison also met us and ad derailleur issues.  We were allowed to run the run course and that was it for me.  2 more races including one more Xterra in Guam.  Happy trails!

Carpe Diem

#60 in your program

In about 12 hours I will be string my transition in the dark, awaiting the sunrise to get in the water.  This will be my third race in Saipan, it's where it all started for me at Xterra.  On the menu, 1500 m ocean swim, 32 km of mountain bike and a spectacular 10 km run through the jungle and old war caves.  18 pros on the starting lineup. It's always a small field here, about 60 racers for the full course, but people are so nice and friendly which make this place such a cool place to race.  It is far from home but it is worth it.  We shall see what tomorrow has in store.  Stay tuned for the post race report and I hope you will follow me.  Hapy trail!

Carpe Diem