Saturday, June 30, 2012

Xterra Arkadelphia

That's not really the name of the event, but I have issues with purposely mispelled words.  So, I am renaming this event.  Results can be found here.



This is the second year I have raced here so the course was familiar.  However,  the bike course was changed.  It was two 5.5 mile loops with a two mile section of road to start and finish.  Coming off a solid race at Eureka Springs I had high hope for this race, really wanted my first podium finish.

Fancy digs right on the lake and 10 minutes from the race start.


Swim:

There were actually two triathlons going at the same time, a sprint road tri and the Xterra.  Unfortunetly,  the Xterra swim started as wave three of the day so I had to swim through 20-30 swimmers.  I was good training for me and I can definetly say that I have made great improvements with my open water swimming.  Out of the water in 16:47 for the 880yds, 1st in my AG.

Bike:

This time I had my nutrition taped to my top tube(last race I forgot my gels at T1).  Overall I am pleased with my bike.  I had a bit of a drop mid way through the first lap, but I found my legs for the second lap.  15 miles in 1:28.

Run:

Again, I am pleased with the run I did.  3.5 mile in 34 minutes

Overall, I missed the podium for my AG by less than 7 minutes and first by 12.  Loved the course and i am going back in October for the Epic.

Sunday, June 17, 2012

Finding My Limit

This is a quick,short race report for Xterra Euereka Springs.

First I should start with a little history of me and my race here last year.  It wasn't a good race for me, I got beat up on the swim, had a slower than expected bike and cramped on the run.  This race kicked my ass last year.  So, understandably, I was a little nervous going into this race. 

I got great advice from my coach the day before, he told me to remember that I have done the work leading up to the race and to smile and enjoy the day.

Swim:

Really, I had a great swim.  Way different from last year.  I was able to pick my starting spot, get to the right of the main group and swim at my pace.  Finished the swim about 20th  15:30 for the 880yds.  Most importantly, I wasn't fatigued coming out of the water like last year.  Big plus!

Bike:

The bike course is 13 miles in length, it is a rough 13 miles.  Three big climbs and many technical sections make this course one of the toughest on the Xterra circuit.  That being said, I went out cautious.  I was riding the course very well, cleaned all the major climbs and only had to walk one technical section on the backside of the lake.  The only major mistake I made was forgetting my nutrition at T1.  I rode strong up to about 1hr40 min, I think I found my limit.  I have to take on some kind of calories before this point.  Finished the bike 1:30.

Run:

It's really sad that I had no fuel on my bike because I really think I could have put together a great race.  I came out of T2 surging, I wasn't going to let this race beat me again.  However, half way through the first climb of the run I knew it wasn't going to be my day.  My time was faster than last year but not what I was hoping for.  Time 1:12

Overall I am really stoked about my race.  I beat last years time by 35 minutes.  I was properly fueled to start the race, but I failed to put enough calories in my body during the race.  Lesson learned, on to the next race.

Saturday, June 2, 2012

XTERRA Eureka Springs

Just a week away!  I have ridden the course a couple of times in the past week.  This is the Dryest I have ever seen this trail this early in the year.  Should be some fast times next Saturday.