Xterra Camp Eagle

Xterra Camp Eagle, Rocksprings Texas
Regionals 24th March 2013
1st overall 1:48:39

A weekend of back to back racing or maybe NOT. Saturday morning in Dallas had me set for a hard weekend of efforts but the weather had its timing down to a T. With the arrival of 5:30am, I pealed off the warmth that is my duvet and started scrounging to get my gear on, sink down a quick breakfast and bike over to Cooper Fitness Center as my warm up before a transition setup for the days racing. Winter taking its last grasp at straws providing us with a brisk morning, I reminded myself it could be worse (after watching Milan-San Remo 2013). I sucked it up and focused on the work ahead. I got 250m into the swim when I heard some strange shouting and yelling. Looking up I was told to exit the water, my immediate thought  was that I was disqualified but shortly after leaving the water I was informed there had been a lightning strike not too far away. The race was delayed and I made the decision to pack up my gear and make my way to race number 2.

My song choice for the weekend.

Now in Rocksprings TX for the second race and we would be treated to some terrific weather again.  The race day temps in the low 40F with wind chills at 38F and wind gust of 20MPH made for some consideration of clothing choice for the bike and run portion. By the time I made it into T1 my face was numb and I had lost feeling in my feet and hands. I had opted for full fingered gloves and a long sleeve jacket for the bike portion, I slipped out of the wetsuit scrambled to put my jacket on and now with frozen hands i could not zip the jacket. I decided to take off with the jacket open appeal to a batman look a like and find opportunity on the course to close it up. I spent the first 2 miles on the bike spinning at a rapid cadence to get the legs warm. Had lost a glove off the end of my handle bars in the transition so instead of turning to get it I dropped the other one and rode without. My legs came around sooner than I anticipated and with a quick glance through the trees I noticed 2nd place on the switch backs several seconds back.

 I put my head down and cranked out a solid effort to put enough time between him and I. I would not see him until we crossed the finish line. T2 was a messy transition but with the first actual race of the season I never set high expectations. I managed to shed the jacket, rack the bike, slip on shoes, take off my helmet in a decent time and head out onto the run. Leaving the transition without a time split I ran the first mile at a comfortable effort and started to crank up the intensity for the middle section. I managed to roll my ankle on what im told are called "baby skull rocks", need no explanation there. I slowed my pace on the 3rd mile to prevent further injury but when I got a sniff of the finish I turned the pace back on to take the victory. Some reassurance that im on the right path with my training and should see more results this season.

Official Results

Big thanks to Joel Grimmett at Race Revolutions for providing a great race. I will unfortunately be missing the next regional Xterra to try my hand at Xterra West Coast Championships in mid April and the following week ITU San Diego Championships.

Xterra Press and Media Center wrote an article and recap

John Chung Photography

Orange Seal crew and their results.

The suspension bridge about 200m from T2 gives you those jelly legs.

#1

Xterra World Championships

Xterra World Championships

Official result

A big thank you to  George "Boo" Bryant my coach, friend and mentor, Alan Pocock, Fred Milller, Patrick Herron for getting me to this race. My sponsors, Cadence Cyclery, Orange Seal Cycling, Elite Performance Chiropractors, Jon Poe at Peak Physical Therapy

Yet another race morning, although this time Its, 2012 Xterra World Championships. The top athletes in the sport will come from far and wide to test themselves against the natural elements and other athletes .

Today Ive awaken to the sound of a rooster echoing in the distance. The realization that im on Maui, Hawaii island  is surreal and in a few hours ill embark on the toughest race of the season. Its all come down to this one point, the arrow head had best be sharp because the war begins today. Last night was a late night with a tsunami warning issued because of a 7.7 earth quake off the coast of Canada B.C. Fortunately my home stay is geographically positioned high enough not to be in any form of danger. Although it would become the safe haven for many others. 

My morning routine has not changed, I brew a pot of coffee, cook up my steel cut oatmeal, add some good magic, a tbls of Almond butter, cut a banana and throw in some other secret ingredients and then wait patiently for the "storm".

 

Now at the race venue getting body marked and setting up my transition with my support crew and new friend Hiilani, a Scarlet Macaw. MORE PHOTOS HERE

There is a window of opportunity before the start now to get in a quick warm up and send blood flow to the muscles that will serve as the mechanics for the days work. The beach is riddled with a contrast of moving bodies, out in the ocean now and look back to find a tree that I will use to sight my landing upon my return to shore. The ocean current is noticeable, pushing me from right to left as I look out to sea to spot the first buoy. I hear the call for athletes to line up on the waters edge. A beach with 700+ athletes all on the same page. Now paused to hear the canon blast with anticipation, the racer to my left and right ready to pounce. 

The calm now turned to a frenzy of bodies scrambling to the water, in an instance I notice a small pack of guys to my left as we head out to the first yellow buoy. I latch on to the trail of bubbles and turmoil. So far the swim was going to plan. We navigate through the "M" shaped course with a brief run on the beach. Chance to look around and see where im at. Im happy with my midway position and the work our group has been executing is enough to make contact with the back markers of the pro field who had a 1min advantage on us. 

Running into transition I switch thoughts to the bike. I glance left and notice a competitor who won in my age group the year previous year. A spark of confidence to be leaving the transition together. We make our way up the golf path ascent away from the Kapalua Resort and into the hillsides of forest, sugar cane and pineapple orchards. I decide then that I would sit his wheel and gauge my efforts where necessary. 6miles onto the course and feeling strong but reminding myself to be patient. It was until mile 7 or 8 that I made my move and went past him and found more time between us on the descent taking the occasional direct line to optimize the time gap. At this point of the race I had about 45-60sec on my competitior with two more guys up the road.

I had made a conscious effort to leave some in the tank for the run portion but found myself spent in the 3rd mile of the the demanding uphill run course. I took my body to a new destination  of pain but still could not hold off the swarming pack. I crossed the line totally spent, collapsing at the feet of one the officials. I went into this race with the idea of leaving it all on the course and collapsing at the finish line was perhaps not the most gracious but it played toward the sum of my day.