Category: Race Reports
XTERRA USA Champs. Plumbed the deapths of empty legs, but won 6th XTERRA USA Series title
photos by Rich Cruse photography
by Rich Cruse
What a weird, weird day.
XTERRA Mountain champs results. Ogden, Utah
Just a quick blog before prize giving.
This “Mountain champs” really lives up to its name. Tons of climbing (ow), high altitude (ow), but fortunately also plenty of single track (yay) and lots of rocks. (yay) Snow basin was the venue for the previous Winter Olympics and appart from the excellent venue, the organization here is top class, and the people are very motivated to showcase Utah as a sports destination.
The pros swam without wetsuits and the amateurs with- resulting in quite a punch up all the way to the 1st bouy. Then most people blow up. (too fast, too much altitude and maybe too much punching and dunking) I lost some time in the swim, I guess about 1 minute to Seth Wealing, Craig Evans, Brandon Rakita, Linda Gallow and Mike Vine was less than a minute back.
My legs felt a bit rusty to about halfway up the 3000ft climb, but then it started getting better. I took the lead at about 1/3 of the way up and had no idea what was going on behind.
The water point volunteers were admiring the natural beauty when I got to the 2nd water point, so I missed the bottle (by about 10 meters) and it quickly became “situation critical mate” as I only had I sip left in my bottle. Quite worrying as I needed water to take my Clif Shots with.
Right at Snow Basin (T2 and finish) Mike Vine came up from behind. On the loosest, steepest part of the climb I dropped my chain, and lost about 5 seconds putting it back on. Mike passed me there and the TV camera loved it! I had to run up the rest of the hill (it was too steep to get back on) and soon Mike spun out and had to run too. So we ran head to head, eventually remounting and then trading the lead up the really steep climb to 8000ft. The TV crew was on a dirt bike ( yes, I was jealous) and captured the suspense on tape. Or SD or whatever they use in TV cameras nowadays. At the very summit I gathered all my strength and sprinted past Mike to lead into the twisty, rocky single track back down to Snow basin where the run starts. (7000ft)
I rode the single track pretty well, but stayed cautious as I could not risk getting another flat this year. To be in the running for my 6th XTERRA USA Series Champs title I needed a solid result here in Ogden.
I started the hilly run with a minute lead on Vine, and of course the water point people were so surprised to see the 1st runner they forgot to give him water. Even though he yelled “WATER” at the top of his lungs in his best American accent.
So I tackled the ski slope (in the upwards direction) with a dry mouth and only 1/3 of the calories I usually take in a race.
Fortunately I still have some blubber left over from our European trip and my energy levels seemed fine. Parts of the run was extremely rocky and there was no way of picking a line- it was nothing but rocks. I ran in the Avia AVI Lite which offers a fair amount of cushioning over the rocks and mine shaft descend for only 10.2oz.
With about 2 miles to go I thought I could ease back a bit. Wheazing for air and stumbling at a snails pace was getting old really quick. I looked back and of course there, about 20 seconds back comes a charging Vine. I tried to pick up the pace and of course right then the blubber on my backside voted me off the island. It said: “No more lifting and putting down of feet untill we get some carbs” Carbs were out of the question as the finish was 10 minutes away and of course I had no water. And even if I did have water I would have blown a gasket if I had to hold my breath for the 2 seconds it takes to swallow. So I told myself “you are the World Champion, cowboy up and behave like one”. I summited with maybe a 10 second lead and then plunged down the 1 mile deep mine shaft to the finish. Of course the TV crew was on it but by then I was falling so fast hurting so much and muscles were cramping so badly (dehydration) that I wasnt not even ogling the pretty dirt bike. (it was a Suzuki DRZ 400)
XTERRA Mountain Champs results, Ogden, Utah
photo by Rich Cruse
Just a quick blog before prize giving.
This “Mountain champs” really lives up to its name. Tons of climbing (ow), high altitude (ow), but fortunately also plenty of single track (yay) and lots of rocks. (yay) Snow basin was the venue for the previous Winter Olympics and appart from the excellent venue, the organization here is top class, and the people are very motivated to showcase Utah as a sports destination.
XTERRA Snow Valley
Just a quick post. Its 1am and time for bed.
I raced the Avia XTERRA Snow Valley today. On top of a 30 hr training week it was not a cake walk, but the race went well. Felt strong all around. Also, I got to spend the weekend with the folks from my shoe sponsor Avia: Ed, Ike, Kenny Souza and fellow pro Shonny Vanlandingham. Shonny continues to improve at XTERRA and won the womens race and got 3rd overall. She almost “chicked” James Walsh from Mud, Sweat and Beers fame. But then he spent all day moving yesterday, and all I can say is “dude, I know your pain.” (See next blog.)
I am absolutely honored to be helping in the design of an Avia trail racing shoe. Today I tested a new sole pattern and the loose, sandy conditions here was a perfect test. We are hell bent on building a race winning shoe, so expect something light, fast and flashy. The shoe may even bear my name. W O W.
Ed in the “Victory or death*” shirt. Me with the silly grin. Ed’s wheels- the green ones. My wheels- the silver 29er. Specialized Stumpjumper.
XTERRA France pictures
Finishing is fun Photo: Jacvan
Check out http://xterrafrance.free.fr/
