Gear 2.0 Synergy wetsuit

I tried my brand new Synergy Hybrid wetsuit before packing it in for Greece.  I am please to report that its a great wetsuit. I feel really buoyant in it and the different thickness on the different part of the body really works well for me.  I definetly feel higher out of the water and since I'm not the greatest swimmer on the planet, it really helps me.  The shoulder wer quite supple as well and getting in and out was a breeze. My swim time seemed to have improved and i think that part of it is the fact that i Felt so buoyant. I highly recommend it if you are in the market for a new suit. My Hybrid  is packed and ready for the swim in Greece!  Happy trails!

Carpe Diem.

To the land of Olympus

It has been a while since I have posted anything race wise as I didn't have any races on the calendar until now.  In 6 days I will be packing my new bike and will be heading over to Greece for the first edition of Xterra Greece, part of the World and European Xterra circuit.  This is the first time that the Tribe will head over to Greece.  The race will take place at Lake Platsira , about 300 km North west of Athen.  I am excited has I have never been to Greece and also at the fact that I will be part of the first people to ever partake in an Xterra over in Greece.  I can't wait to see all the usual suspect racing and a chance to see old friends.  Stay tune for tale for the trail as well as the scouting report once on the ground. The gun goes off June 15 and it should be a great one!  Happy Trails!

Carpe Diem

Welcoming 2 new sponsors! Gray Cycle/ Synergy Wetsuit

It is with great pleasure that I am now part of the Gray and Synergy family for the 2013 season.  Of you remember back in March I raced in Guam and lost to Stefan Laursen, former Danish Olympic team triathlete and pro.  As it happen he is also the CEO of Synergy Wetsuits and Gray Cycles.  They were kind enough to get me on their team and starting today I will be riding a slick 29er Gray Carbon frame which I just received.  The crew at Cap's is furiously doing the change over and the new racing steed should be up running, just in time for my next race.  Now this frame is so light it's not even funny.  It weighs at 3.3 pounds ( to give you an idea, a BMX frame weighs on average 5 pounds)  I can't wait to take it for a spin.  I also received my brand new hybrid wetsuit and I am taking it for a swim tomorrow, stay tuned for my first impression.  So if you are in the market for a wetsuit, mtb frame, tri bike or carbon road wheel, take a look at what Synergy/Gray has to offer.  If you live in canada please look at these websites for all your needs www.synergywetsuits.ca and www.graycycling.ca

Carpe Diem

In homage of Boston

By now most of us are aware of what happened in Boston.  The despicable acts which created, in a matter of seconds, chaos, suffering, and death.  My thought are going to the family of the injured and the  one who lost love ones in the process.  What the suspect(s) failed to realize is that athletes are a different breed, it doesn't matter that their are pros or just racing for the fun of it, they have one thing in comment, resilience.  I believe that these events will only bring people together and they will continue to participate in such events in greater numbers, in defiance of such actions.  We can not let these people dictate our lives and live in fear.  Lastly, kudos to the emergency personnels, from EMT, fire and police, theses people rose to the occasion in trouble times.  May the suspects be brought to justice swiftly.  Ultimately, people came that day in the face of adversity to stare at evil and decided not to let it prevail.  So go out there, run, bike, swim or exercise, seized the day.  Happy trails!

Carpe Diem

Xterra Guam, redemption

This morning started like every other race morning, I woke up before my alarm, had oatmeal, a little coffee, got in my Tri suite and headed over to transition with Al. I was hoping that the bike would hold, for one race, wondering if all the required sacrifices made to the Xterra Gods would be enough.  Since no Harlem Xterra theme has been done yet , we  were all recruited for the video in transition before the start of the race.  Stay tuned for the results, I will post the link as soon as it is up.  After the dancing it was time to head in the water for a quick swim, where I ended colliding with Dave Torre from Guam causing him a slight cut on his forehead, I felt so bad, the race hadn't even started! Guam is a water start and once the gun went off, I was able to find a pair of feet and draft for the 2 laps, I would exit from the water in 27 min.  It was now time to head to the bike course.  One mile into the bike, on the road section, I hit a bump and one of my seat rail snap, putting my saddle at an angle.  I decided to keep going and not even looking at was wrong, I though to my self, really?  The first 6 km is a road climb and slowly but surely I passed some people.  I would get pass by 2 people on the bike but would catch on to one of them eventually.  The course was well marked and I was able to ride just about everything, except a slick coral up hill.  They added a section this year, riding by 2 WWII tanks, which mean that it added a 5 km overall to the distance.  My bike would survived although by the end my gears were starting to make some noise, I'd book the bike course in 1:53, a bit slower than last year but considering the add on, I was riding strong despite the seat issue.  It was now time for the run, my legs felt sluggish and I'm sure that the canter of my seat did not help.  The run in Guam starts on the road bu quickly ends up going down water falls, that's right, and then through two river sections.  Once out it wad through a bamboo forest, than back on the road with a final turn and running on the coast line.  I managed to give myself a good scrape and woud book the course in 3:16 , good for 21 overall, second in my age group.  I would find out that the guy who beat me in my age was a former Danish Olympic them swimmer and had recorded the fastest age grouper time.  So here we are, another March of Xterra over, it's almost time to go home.  I hope to be back next year, the sun and the racing is good for the soul.  I highly recommend people to come and enjoy theses races, they are something special.  Good friends Ben Allen and Jacqui Slack would win the pros.  Al had a great time and won his age group.  Hope you enjoy the journey, happy trails!

Carpe Diem

Less Han 24 hours to go, Xterra Guam

In less than 24 hours, I will be on the starting line with about 157 other Xterra racers.  It's been a difficult journey this time around as my bike as not been cooperating, broken handle bar and now heading tomorrow with a bent derailleur hanger, too soft to be straighten, no spare with me ( I have 2 but not for the right bike) and none on the island.  The bike shop here did awesome and make the gear worked.  I now hope the the carbon handle bar sacrifice to the Gods of Xterra will e sufficient for tomorrow.  The bike course is also dried up and with no rain in the forecast, if should be a pretty fun bike course.  So here we are, the end of the march of Xterra is near, time for a light workout and get ready for the race, time to forge on, race hard and see what happens.  Guam is such a great place, I really recommend that you consider race here and if you can, do the triple crown.  Stayed tune for the post race report, and if you wonder, I have number #52, happy trails!

Carpe Diem

Xterra Guam, Navy edition

My Friend Al and traveling companion is a retired Navy commander so we are lucky to be staying at the Navy lodge.  Today we went on base for an open water swim and what a sight.  We were able to swim along the reef and be treated by schools of fish, coral and the likes.  This beach on the Navy vase was awesome.  Looks like the sun is out and hopefully the bike course had dried from some of the rain we had over night.  Now if the dry weather can stick around.  After the ride its time to pick up our race packets and go to the pre race briefing.  48 hours to go, happy trails!

Carpe Diem

P.S. GO NAVY