Xterra SE Championship race report (Richmond, VA)

Today I completed my first Xterra race ever. What a blast! This experience is very different from any road/"normal" triathlon. The three biggest differences to me were:

1) 100% pure adrenaline for the entire swim and bike. 85% adrenaline and concentration required on trail run. You have to be focused and there is very little pacing, especially on the mountain bike.
2) Dirty. Makes for great fun. Crashes, dust, water crossings. Huge variety.
3) Friendly. Egos are waaay down. No elitist mentality. The pros are hanging out with everyone giving tips and very approachable. Everyone else is trying to help each other understand the swim challenges and helping fellow mountain bikers out of ditches.

I learned a great many things about Xterra and triathlon in general today. Here is my version of my day.

The sport version of the race began at 8AM. Because I was with a friend who was racing that race I arrived early to rack my bike for my Xterra Championship race at 10:30AM. I immediately learned that I had nowhere to put my e-tabs as it was going to be 94 degrees by afternoon. I solved this problem with some tape borrowed from the bike mechanics. I also learned that laced mountain bike shoes are not good for triathlon. Can't believe I missed that one. I was able to rack my bike very close to the bike in/out because I was so early. I also racked about 10 feet from the pros - Melanie McQuaid, Jamie Whitmore, Conrad Stolz, etc. Very cool.

Once my transition was set up I grabbed my camera and went to body marking. After body marking I headed over to the start of the sport race. 500m swim, 15k mtn bike, and a 5K they had to do. Got some cool pics of the swim start then proceeded to get good pics of my friend Missy Grant who went on to take 4th overall in women! Congrats Missy!

Once the sport race ended it was time to get to the swim start for the Xterra, a 1200m swim, 40K mtn bike, and 10K trail run. I made sure all my gear was set including my spare shoes which I took out of T1 since they would be waiting for me at the swim exit. It was, after all, about a 400m nasty run from swim exit to T1. Somebody recommended I put my bike gloves with my shoes so I could put them on as I ran to T1 to save time. Great idea it seemed.

At 10:33, just two minutes before the first group was to begin, a train went across the bridge directly over the swim start area. It was surreal as the train blew its horn and the cannon to start the first wave sounded. My start came 4 minutes after the elite start. Bang!

As usual, I began a conservative swim using my mediocre bilateral breathing technique. And, as usual, I stopped swimming bilateral about 50 yards into the swim. Let me tell you about this swim. It was unique in that its in the James River so there is current. And the race organizers have to get very creative to get the 1200m fit in. And there are many spots you can actually stand up in the swim (and many people do). Thankfully I had done a swim clinic on Friday so I knew a few secrets. One was to keep swimming and don't stand on the rocks. Despite all the advice I had received it was all neutralized since I quickly fell into my horrible habit - the left breathing "comfort" stroke where my left arm crosses the centerline weakening my stroke. This slows me down tremendously. After rounding a few buoys I began breathing right and improved my stroke slightly. But now I had to contend with a lot of sighting since I have no idea how straight I swim with right breathe. To make a long swim story short I'll tell you two things. One, this was the most confident I've ever been in an open water swim. And I had no wetsuit. That is good. Unfortunately I neglected to execute several of the tips I had received on how to swim in specific areas that have heavier current. This meant a more zig zag swim with some real hammers into river current. Overall swim time 31:10. About 2/3 back in my age group. Got passed by many 40 and overs as well as a few women. But learned a lot.

Upon exiting the water I had a good run to T1 and felt great. I had put my gloves on only to discover I'm the only fool with lace up shoes on his bike. T1 turned into my longest transition ever due to this and complications with my camelback. I was glad to get out of there.

Once I was on my 12 year old Specialized Stump Jumper things got better. The course began on the parts of the trail I knew well and I began the passing game with a ratio of about 5:1. I passed 5 for every 1 that passed me. Pretty good I thought. And remember that its a lot tougher to pass on singletrack which comprised about 75% of this bike course. Overall my bike was pretty good I thought. After all this was the fourth time in 5 years I had been on a mountain bike. I had to run my bike 6-8 times and I only had one minor crash. I was even able to hammer all the way up some parts that riders with fancy mountain bikes were walking up. My bike strength and general endurance definitely helped. About 1/2 of the entire 40K was on a stretch of pretty challenging singletrack I had never rode. But I kept up and kept passing.

The bike was great too because I talked to riders, stopped to help those who were crashed or broken down, and just generally enjoyed hammering through the hills and trees. In some areas there were crowds cheering riders as they attempted challenging descents. I never embarrassed myself in front of the crowds. I even got a few "you go honey" and "looking strong" comments. They probably say that to all the old guys on old-fashioned hard tail bikes. The end of the ride came faster than it felt like it took. 1:46 total at over 10MPH average.

T2 went waaay smoother than T1. Nothing notable there.

The run is my fun. While I didn't scorch the earth I did feel pretty good about my 10K. A far cry from the 38-42 minutes I can pull off on flat earth but solid for the weather and the terrain. I was never passed on the run and I suspect I made up 30-40 places with passes during the run. I kicked it into high gear for the last 1.5miles and finished very strong and not feeling blown up. Run time 50:49.

Nutrition during the day:
T1 - none
Bike - 3 gels, 40 ozs gatorade endurance, 15 ounces water, 2 e-tabs
Run - 30ozs gatorade endurance, 20ozs water

I finished #21 out of 45 in my seemingly-ultra-competitive bracket. I was mildly disappointed in that until two veterans of Xterra I was racked up next to told me that is great for this race considering the competition that travels from all over to do this unique race. That made me feel even better about the day. I will be curious to see my overall standings.

I loved Xterra. I will be back to that lifestyle after IM Wisconsin.