Xterra World Championships
10th amateur 25-29
Off Road Triathlon
Maui, Hawaii
The Red Dust Settles
Stand up paddle board and active recovery session.
I had a different demeanor, this year, walking into this prestigious event. I knew that with my struggle just several weeks prior, I compromised on fitness to be healthy coming into the event and rightfully, it was the correct decision. I had to assess my goals, and, naturally, set new ones. To be healthy was the priority goal and focus for this race. Anything else was a bonus. I had some long travels to Maui, splitting it into a two day travel session, but would eventually arrive in Maui on Sunday evening a week before the race. Psychologically that was enough time, almost an instant reset for the mind. This race is always one of my best experiences for the season. Hawaii is a magical place and whatever woes one has are soon a thing of the past with this majestic calming island life.
Surprisingly I was enjoying the suffering up the climb
The following
day set as an easy day after some long travels, and set up the week for good
vibrations. Pre-riding the course on Tuesday with Ben Allen & Jaqui Slack, an Australian and British duo, along
with several other athletes, gave me
an indication of what to expect on race day. At this point in the game, a few
days out from the main event, balancing fatigue and form was the primary focus
for me.
Post race ride with my favourite bird. Hi-ilani.
Race morning
was like many previous. The conditions were hot with the air standing still, as
the trade winds had decided to rest for the day which made for some extreme
humidity levels and a greater emphasis on hydration/nutrition for the day.
During the race I consumed four 16oz bottles on the bike and one 12oz for the
run. I had also frozen 3 zip lock bags with water and cut the tips off so as .they
melted it would sprinkle across the body keeping my core temperature low and
delay fatigue levels. It worked like a charm. I would use the other two for the
run when the sun would be at its highest in the day. A great tip to use for
future races and one that is used by 4x Xterra
World Champ, Conrad Stoltz, is to simply hold the ice bags in hand while
running and allow your body to do the rest.
I had a respectable
swim staying toward the front of the 500 other male athletes. I came out the
water in good time, losing less than a minute to one of my key rivals and
possibly a top amateur swimmer in the field. I knew I could out bike him and
upon arriving in T1, I managed a quick bike count noticing only 4 were missing,
I eventually would catch him around mile 3 which allowed me to put time between
him and I, leaving me scrambling on the run to maintain position. I arrived in
T2 in 5th. The sun showed its ferocity during the run and my lack in
concentration had me sprawled out on the trail unexpectedly. I had tripped on a
tree root and took a tumble in some branches. Let me tell you, it hurt! The run
quickly went from a smooth trot to a messy final two miles, as fatigue levels
started to rise and hot conditions weathered the body. The 250 yard beach run
to the finish line seems to sap any energy you have left and for the second
year in a row this course proved its worthy of much respect. I would eventually
slip to 10th on the day.
GoPro camera action and hypoxic breathing drills Napili Bay
With a
training/racing season that turned slightly pear shaped toward the end stages,
I was happy to walk away from Xterra World Championships with this
result. Finishing 10th in category, even with the showing of a
stacked field, top 50 overall amateur was a satisfactory result and consistent
with last year (also considering I had lost a lot of fitness as explained here.)
Congratulations
to all 803 athletes that made it. Special mention to Ken, my fellow friend and
athlete I coach, on finishing his first Xterra Worlds. Tick that one off your
bucket list and welcome to “G-ville”. Also to the Kapuna, inspirational to see
a 76 year old man, Ron Hill, who came back from a broken pelvis weeks prior and
finished this event. Ahead of the game for sure!
Now that the season
has come to an end, I can look back taking many positives away. A big lesson on
being patient, controlling the competitive monster within, correct periodization, balancing rest vs. training and note I am
moving forward with a clearer picture for the 2014 season, I anticipate higher
levels of focus on the details. I would also like to take this opportunity to
thank everyone who helped me in some way or form this season. There have been
many people and I am humbled and grateful for your support.
To my
sponsors at Elite PerformanceChiropractors I am thankful for
all that you do for me during my training and racing season. I cannot imagine a
training schedule without the support and advice you give me to keep my body in
check.
To the guys
at Cadence Cyclery of McKinney, thank
you for the continued service on my equipment, Giant Bicycles and providing a
solid foundation to fuel my training and racing regime. You are a key part of
my young career in this endurance game of cycling and triathlon.
Post race get together and a spill in the red Maui
CycleOps For your consideration to have me on
your grassroots campaign and support I receive on discounted products is
appreciated.
Managed to find energy for one last run with Ken, an athlete I coach, as we finished the last beach run.
It was a good
day for my SkinStrong products from
anti-chafe to sunscreen I stayed protected all day from the harsh conditions,
beach sand in places it shouldn't be and the relentless sun beaming down on me
all day a great product and worth a mention for sure.
Orange Seal Cycling thank you for keeping me rolling and
my tires inflated, an innovative and continuously evolving product, never a
problem with new tire setups.
Also, a big
thanks to the many individuals in my
life that make an impact to me daily and have supported my racing in more ways
than I can count. Thank you.
Cheers till next time.
Cheers till next time.
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