The Journey to Xterra World Championships - Oct 2013 Maui

Living in Richmond it's hard to stay away from XTERRA when it rolls into town each June. In 2005 after moving from Minneapolis I witnessed my first race and then convinced my wife to run and a buddy to mountain bike for a relay team the next year. At the time, I had no idea how to mountain bike and from an outsider looking in at XTERRA, the full event looked to be intimidating as well as unattainable. I had been deep into racing road bikes and doing on-road triathlons since 1993 after college, but mountain biking...that was insane. After having a blast at the relay I had one thought in mind. I was going to do the full XTERRA Championship course.

Fast forward to 2009 I raced the full XTERRA East Coast Championships and have never looked back. In my journey to get here I knew I had to be the best mountain biker I could and really started to race the VA circuit. Once I hit the local race scene there was always one team that impressed me not only in the standings but in attitude and that was Design Physics. I knew to race well I had to ride with the top guys and approached Jason to ride with DP. Jason didn't know me from Adam but Toddy Green vouched for me and soon I was part of the DP family. Honestly without following you guys and gals on the trails and the tips I don't think I would be the rider I am today.

One morning in August when I was traveling for work, Kate called me at 6:30AM in the morning.  We had received an email giving me a spot at the XTERRA World Championships. Apparently my XTERRA Richmond Race got me in. So, 5 yrs after my first XTERRA I finally qualified for the the World Championships. This had been a reach goal since I started mountain biking. At first, I was not going to go. It was a roll down spot but after some urging from my beautiful wife, Kate, we decided to accept and start the planning process. This was a once in a lifetime opportunity and Kate was not going to let a fun trip to HI pass her by. Then started the three month build to get ready for the race. 

I knew it was going to be tough, but tough was not even close. I had a great training build from Aug to Oct. and worked closely with Jim McGehee at One on One Endurance on the prep. I have worked with Coach Jim since getting serious about XTERRA 5 yrs ago and without his structure and keeping me on track for training and racing I would never be in the shape I am in to compete. A week before the race we were off to HI!

The race headquarters was the Ritz Carlton Resort at Kapalua on Maui. We checked in and got a room upgrade to boot. So the week was starting off well.

First order of business was to get out on Wednesday, build the bike and pre-ride the course. Now everyone said it was power to weight ratio course and they were not kidding. Again when I mean not kidding....I mean not kidding. I went out with a bottle and a little food thinking 20 miles, no big deal take it easy and get a lay of the land. 3 hrs later I returned. This was by far one of the most brutal, steep, dry courses I had ever ridden. I believe the bike climbs went from sea level to close to 3,000 feet by mile six or so. Then a series for descents and repeat climbs hit you over and over until you get to the last 4 miles which are so some super, sweet, technical, single track sections. The entire course is on a former pineapple plantation so the smell of pineapples and guavas are everywhere.  I was able to ride that day with racers from Alaska, Texas, Italy, South Africa and New Zealand. A truly unique experience. Here's a pic at mile 6 on the pre-ride.

The run on the race follows the first 3 miles of the bike and then descends for 3 miles. This was a climbers paradise. For me it was going to have to be a race of conservation at times and all out racing at others. On Thursday, I hooked up with some folks I had met at the Richmond Championship race and we scouted out the swim. The swim was going to be an M shaped course which meant you had two entries and two exits on the swim with a 200m run in between. It was critical to know the currents as well as the surf. The water was known to have some big swells and be a bit tough. Ironically when it comes to racing, swimming is my strongest of the three legs so the rougher the water on race day the bigger the smile on my face would be.  Kate took some great shots of us in the water.

The waves were pretty spectacular. The week was a ton of fun leading up to the Sunday race. There were dinners, pro clinics to attend and just some lazy time at the pool. What impressed me the most was the caliber of amateur athletes from around the world that are at this race. The running joke between Kate and I was how ripped everyone looked around the hotel. With 800 racers, you could spot an XTERRA athlete a mile away. A bit intimidating to say the least.

The night before the race, we hung out at the start to get in the vibe.

Racing morning crept up soon an I was ready to rip.

The race had three wave starts. Pros first, 5 min later all men, 5 min later all women. So mass start with 500 plus men racing for the first buoy 350 meters out. Whats crazy about this race is the media coverage they have. A helicopter following the race, numerous scuba cameras under the water, which freaks you out when you swim over them. Then cross motorcycles on the bike and run course.

The crowds where huge and and the energy level was over the top. Exactly why I love XTERRA. I had a solid swim getting out 70th or so out of 500 + or - for the men...Feeling good. Great start

This is where it was tough. I went from 70th to mid 200's off the bike. I clearly struggled on the climbs, but was able to bomb the descents and made up a bunch of spots on the last 4 miles. I took in great nutrition and was hydrated.  It was all going to come down to the run. After holding back a bit on the bike I knew I was in good shape for the the 10k up the mountain that followed.

The run is typical my tough sport. Even though I came from a running background, I have lost races more the a few times on the run. Today was not that day. I picked off at least 5 guys in my age group on the run and was able to bomb the descent. I went to some dark places in my head on the run, but was able to dig deep and come in strong.

I ended the day 37th for 40-44yr olds. The pre-race had 82 in the field with 71 finishers. The 40-44 is the largest field at XTERRA World Championships and often one of the most competitive. I have to say what I truly love about racing XTERRA is that it is not much different then mountain biking. The people are awesome and this being a international race was no different. On the bike or run as someone was around you they gave words of encouragement or a pat on the back. XTERRA are like no other triathlon.

Our neighbors had two bottles of champagne delivered to our room when we arrived back after the race. Thanks Grace and Vince!

There was a lot of emotion after the race for me. It was a 5 year journey to get to this place. I met some great new friends from around the world. What I love about doing big races is that it changes you. I makes you step up your game, rethink how you train, and how you can get better. Make no mistake, I want to come back to HI. This year is about stepping it up and racing the bigger races,  races like XTERRA Vegas, Alabama, Richmond, USA Championships in UT  and then hopefully Worlds again and doing it on a hard tail Giant 29r will be the bomb.

I could not have gotten to this race without the help of some great people. Design Physics Racing for getting my groove on the mountain bike, Andrew and Jesse (Formally) at 3Sports in 2013 for getting the orange crush in top shape. Coach Jim McGehee at One on One Endurance.  Last and most important the crazy support of Kate. She helps me keep things balanced, in perspective and motivates me more then anyone I know. She also inspires me daily in her achievements to be a great Mom, athlete and wife.

Hawaii 2014...who wants to go?