Day 3 in PI

I was lucky enough to have a training partner this morning, one of the top xterra female and pro triathlete Renata Bucher. That's what's great about Xterra, you can have a chance to do that, just like last week I was riding and running with some of the pro males. Our workout would and old fashion brick, bike and run with some interval work at the end of each session. As we were finishing our bike intervals, one of my pedal unravelled from the crank, for some reason it has seized and each pedal stroke was unscrewing it from the crank! You may recall that I loaned a tube to Renata in Guam, hoping to buy some Karma! Well it was paid in full today as she happens to have a spare pair of pedals, the same brand I use, that she has graciously loaned to me for the race. I'll have see if mine can be fixed but I doubt it. She just saved me! Any how I was able to do the interval run with her and after some difficulty taking the pedals, as I was sweating so much from the workout, I came back home. Tomorrow is packet pickup and finally going to scout the bike course. Until then, happy trails!

Carpe Diem

Day 2 in PI

I woke up this morning feeling much better than yesterday after being up for 22 hours. I headed out for a run before the heat of the day. My IPod is on the fritz, so his my heart rate monitor so I figure it was time to look around me. I have to admit that I had a bit of an uneasy feeling while running. People would say hello, but others would look at me with contempt in their eyes. This in turn made me realise again how lucky we are in Canada and I'm greatful for the opportunity that I have. After my run, a quick breakfast and it was time yo build my bike, which got me a few looks and onlooker from the staff and some of the people staying here. Seems I won't be able to ride the course until Friday when I pickup my package and the shuttles are functioning. Mum off to explore the main city, until next post, happy trails!

Carpe Diem

Second stop of the triple Asia/ Pacific triple crown: Cebu, Philippines

I got up at some ungodly hour this morning for my flight to the Philippines. I arrived in Cebu in the morning, looks like my bike made it ok. It feels more humid here than in Guam. The race course is quite far and I'm not sure if I will be able to see it before Friday as its registration and they will provide shuttles in order to scout the course. I was to tired to build my bike so I went for a short swim I the ocean where I was just being punted by the waves! I will probably built my bike and go explore a bit to tomorrow. Until then, hope you're having fun whatever you do, happy trails!

Carpe Diem

Xterra Guam, afterthought

I woke up this morning, the sun is shinning and I'm famished. I was thinking how great this race has been. First, the local have been so nice like Erin, Rick Julie and of course Eric and our race director and is wife to only name a few! The running course was by far the most spectacular one I have seen in my short Xterra racing career, what a treat! I know Guam is far but I highly recommend this race, no wonder it's in the top 5 off road triathlons to do in the world and is now is a qualifier for the worlds in Maui. Lastly where in the world and name me another sport where age grouper and pros play beach volleyball at 1030 at night by a bar? That's what Xterra is all about. For all of you that made this stay so memorable, thank you! Happy trails

Carpe Diem

Xterra Guam, post race!

I was up bright and early this morning, couldn't even see anything in transition the first 30 min! I set up my transition, got body marked. I bought a few Karma points this morning,mgiving a spare tube to pro Renata Bucher, I figure it couldn't hurt really, she would end up winning the pro women division. The race director has been nice enough to point out I was the first Canadian ever to race in Guam, he also put the pressure saying I was a contender in mynage group, so mmuch for keeping a low profile! The swim was a 750 m lap, twice but no run on the beach. Alas my goggles were leaking, I exited the water in 31:52, slightly desapointed andbknoeingbi would be behind the 8 ball in my age group as there were some fast guys. As usual the pro rack was empty but there was still bikes in transition. I set a fast pace on the tar section hoping to gain some grounds. I past some riders and exited into the single track. If Mars was rideable it would probably look like the Guam bike course, a see of red dirt! I had a relatively clean ride, no crash and a few dismount. I rolled in transition with a bike split of 1:47, not bad but I was hoping for a bit of a fast time. As I was exiting the transition, Eric, the race director, announced that I was sitting in third position in my age group. I was looking forward to the run especially the river section as the temperature was around 37 degree Celsius. I took a wrong turn on the run and I knew I wasn't going the right direction, this was corrected quick enough but as I entered the water fall I saw a guy that look like he would fit my age group. A quick question verified that he was indeed in my age group, it was time to turn it up, I didn't want to get passed. The river section was very refreshing. I saw Jamie Whitmore husband and after a quick hello I kept pushing on. The last section was "beach run" more like a beach swim!!! I would cross the line in 3:17 good for a third place in my age group and 18 of 123 overall. This would also secure a spot for the worlds in Maui in October! So now it's time for compression, food and a the party tonight!!! Stay tuned for next weeks adventure which will take me to Cebu, Philippines for Xterra Philippines. Until then, happy trails!

Carpe Diem

Xterra Guam, less than 24 hours!

I woke up this morning and went to the race site for a short swim, bike and run. I racked my bike and that was it for me, at 830 it was already 33 degrees with humidity! I went back to my host Eric Tydingco to pack up, do some laundry and be ready for my transfer to the hotel. I can't tell you guys enough how lucky I am to have had a chance to stay with him and his family. It 41 degrees and I'm staying inside so my body is fresh for tomorrow. Mil have plenty of time after the race to enjoy the weather. I' ll be wearing number #89 tomorrow. The course should be fun and with close to 165 racers, it should be a good challenge. As usual I have my personal time goals but I'll share that with you after the race. Until then, happy trails!

Carpe Diem

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