Conrad Stoltz wins XTERRA Grabouw

Caveman wins XTERRA Grabouw.  2012 is looking good so far. 4 races, 4 victories. (some small and some lucky but a win is a win)

The biggest XTERRA in the world! 2000+ participants. Had to be held over 2 days (Lite and Full distances) to fit everyone in! Testament to great organization, sponsorship and media coverage but also South African’s love for adventure, nature and suffering…

Believe it or not, Caveman 1st individual out the swim. Must be that hectic swim training-click for blog.

Stunning bike course. Other than the all rocks and single track, I really like the Fynbos here. (Indigenous Western Cape vegetation) Checked it out on the pre rides as, there are more rocks and sand here than on the back of the moon.

Long, hard bike and run courses, so I loaded up on fluids and carbs- extra bottle with Clif Electrolyte behind seat and 4 Clif Shots taped to frame.

The night before the race we talked strategy and I asked my coach Ian Rodger: “What are the repercussions of taking too many carbs during the race?” His answer sums up his witty sense of humour: “Winning?”

JB, our own Specialized South Africa videographer shot footage from the chopper. JB also edited the GoPro footage of this bike course in a previous blog. Fanus Oosthuizen from Oakpics.com shot this and most others from his Honda CRF 230. (adorned like a Xmas tree with photography stuff and doodads- and much to my worry- sometimes my wife dangling and bouncing precariously on the back)

Looi hom Fanus!

I had a 2 minute lead on Dan Hugo going into the final single track, but he chafed the sidewall on his rear tire and lost air and time the last few minutes. Too many rocks and ugly high speed sections to safely ride light weight Sworks tyres. A lesson learned before methinks.

The 1st split I got on the run was “4 minutes to Phitzenmeier”, so I largely lost interest in speed and pain and saved it for another day. (like tomorrow (4 days after XTERRA)- SA TT Champs- check next blog…)

I ran with frozen BEX Runners in my hands to manage the dry heat.

Behind me there was a mad scramble for the podium with Stuart Marais blitzing the run for 2nd, Dan in 3rd and Nico Pfitzenmeier just seconds behind. IM legend, whom I have raced since 1989- Raynard Tissink finished a solid 5th.

The best part of finishing!

The great news – Doping Control was there to test the top 3 men and women and the 1st Juniors. The bad new- for once, instead of the proud stream I usually celebrate with within 5 min of checking in, I produced a few puffs of dust… You need to give at least 90ml. I gave a paltry 30ml. So I started to drink water. 3 Liters of it. Thats 3/4 Gallon. I waited and waited and eventually feeling like the dam was about to burst, another disappointing 30ml- at this stage every drop counts.  More endless documentation, checking of numbers, signing, stating supplements and asthma medication. You’re not allowed to leave your “sample” unattended, so you carry it around (see through cup) and miss all the fun outside. No chatting with friends & fans. Wave hi and bye to my inlaws through the window. Haven’t had a single carbohydrate since 6km on the run. Bo n k   i     n       g  . .  .     ..     .

Water was all they had. (You’re not allowed to eat or drink anything other than the sealed bottles they give you)

After 2 hours, felt like 4, just in time for prize giving, the dam did burst, my cuppeth overfleweth and so it did on the entire drive home.