XTERRA WEST (Temecula) Championships

3:55:13/ 150/319 OA/ 7/12 AG

Swim and T1 29:55 (1500 M Swim)

Bike and T2 2:10:10 (they say 19.5, my GPS says different, 22.5)

Run 1:15:08 (5.5 mile run)

Well to say that I learned a lot about myself and my training would be an understatement. To be fair I cannot be disappointed as this is my first experience at this distance and course in an XTERRA, but I had no idea my times would be near what they were.

Sarah and I woke up at 4:30am; I loaded my truck, had a pb&j and left the house by 5:00am. We arrived and parked at 6:30 and went up to do the check in and that took about 15 minutes as a lot of people were still getting there. The temp at 7:00am was already over 70 degrees, and I went to get body marked. I set up my transition area and got everything ready. They announced that wetsuits would not be allowed as the water was right around 72 degrees. It was really exciting to see the top pro’s in XTERRA all at this event, they had a lot of tents and the expo was well set-up and I was pretty stoked on how cool it was to be there, trying not to think about how hot it was. Sarah was there helping me with all my stuff, and she was standing in line for me at the body marking while I staked my spot in transition. Thanks to her many times for all her support, I wouldn’t be the triathlete I am without her! My parents and sister showed up around 7:30am and I chatted with them for a bit. Did a quick little jog and then got ready to go down to the water. I had some help putting sunscreen all over any exposed areas and was ready. Swam about 200 yards warm up and headed back to the beach. I was starting with the 15-39 male and female age groupers, 2 minutes behind the pro wave.

The mini cannon went off and I had a pretty good start and got into a good pace. I was feeling good and getting a good draft off of some people. At what I estimate to be about 2/3 of the way through the I began seeing different color caps (the lead of the AG after mine) and I found some legs to follow for almost the rest of the race. I exited the water and felt pretty good except for that it was probably almost 80 degrees at about 8:30am. I struggled to get my stuff on, that I usually don’t in a regular triathlon (camelback, gloves, etc.) and finally got out on the bike.

The bike started off alright, with probably about 800 feet of climbing in the first 3 miles. It was mainly fire road and although I have a pretty light full suspension MTB, I know that I had too much bike for the course. I felt alright riding, albeit slow trying not to push too hard on the hills and after the first lap it was getting pretty hot, probably around 85-90 at this point. We did another lap on the bike course and this time that 3 mile/800 foot climb section was wearing me down, and the heat was getting brutal. I struggled through the last 3 miles or so of the bike, after running out of water with 3-4 miles to go, I made it to transition after seeing my family there cheering for me. Usually I will recognize my “fans” during the race but I wasn’t feeling good and I felt bad not smiling and saying Hi but I just couldn’t muster it then. I got my run shoes on and dropped my camelback and got my visor on and headed out on the run. (This is when, in retrospect, I should have put on more sunscreen).

It was probably about 95 degrees at this point, later I found out at the peaks of the hills the temp was hovering 105 degrees. There is no shade or cover on any of the course, but thankfully there was a breeze, although it was a warm one it was something! I ran the first half mile out of transition until I hit the first climb. I ended up walking up most of the 600 foot ascent and I was getting punished, I pulled the top of my one piece down around my waist (and this is when my gel flask must have fallen out, which I noticed about 2 miles later). I was taking in a ton of water and Gatorade and felt like I was hydrating properly given the conditions, but it was something else that the heat was doing to me that wasn’t letting my muscles fire. I ended up walking about 2/3 of the run course and finishing in 3:55. I placed 7/12 in my AG, and although not the result I was hoping for I was proud of myself for finishing in that kind of heat and with the difficult course.

I know I have a lot to work on for the next month and a half for the half ironman and I am glad this gave me a wake-up call that I need some more miles in my legs and I am rejuvenated and excited to train harder, feel more confident, and ready to really show what I know I am capable of. Another side note, this event as well as Xterra Real was extremely well run, and professional. Definitely one very top notch and well run event that made me feel almost professional.

Couple interesting facts:

Run Ascent: 1,490 feet/5.5 miles

Bike Ascent: 2,900 feet/22 miles

Exiting the Water:
Out of T1:

Back into T2:

Out onto the Run Course: