XTERRA Whistler, Canada

Conrad Stoltz XTERRA Whistler, by Dustin Derkach, Revolve Photography

I have always been spellbound by the crazy “BC” trails (British Columbia, Canada) one sees in the mountain biking videos and magazines. So when XTERRA Whistler came along, I jumped on the opportunity to experience this magical place, its trails and its people.

Monday morning, after a swift 5km run test on the track to check my form, I called Yoeri, the XTERRA Canada organizer, confirming my entry. Tuesday morning I started getting a cold. But with promise of paradise I blindly went ahead- doing all the tricks to ward off the onset of a head cold.

I arrived in Vancouver and was surprised at the cosmopolitan feel of the city. True to XTERRA form, friends were called in and I had a ride to Whistler Mountain. Lo and behold when I saw the host hotel!

Nita Lake Lodge- just imagine it without snow.

Nita Lake Lodge is a luxury spa and my room , bathroom and lounge had views of the lake behind. Post race BBQ had ribs AND Salmon AND burger AND chicken. Not OR OR. AND AND. Clearly they understand triathletes.� The pre race pasta party (and post race beer party) was at the hotel too and was in a class of its own- had lots of laughs with the Colorado Podium boys and our new Canadian lady friends- one whom we promptly dubbed “Fire Cracker”.

The course was really intimidating. Danimal is a black diamond section with all the hairy parts needed for good BC riding. Narrow bridges (some uphill) steep drops off mossy granite boulders, and of course lots of slippery roots everywhere.

My race was a bit eeeh. Thought I felt ok early on, but soon realized I couldnt get my heart rate up- I dont usually race with my Suunto t6- but didnt want to do anything stupid ito my health and upcoming training- so I kept an eye on my heart rate and perceived intensity.

Went into the single track with Josiah and Mike Vine on my wheel and to confirm my “offness”- them gaining so much time so quickly, I started cramping through the single track.

So I pulled the “racing” plug, let them through and enjoyed the experience. (Of Josiah crashing in the next corner- later, I jokingly said: “we just cant trust you with the lead.”) It had been raining lightly overnight, so the roots were wet and really slippery, which made for quite the riding experience. Was a lot of fun. The run was also quite technical, (I was also testing a new Avia avi Stoltz shoe design) and thinking I was cruising home in 4th, I missed a turn at the very end and let Cody and Adam through and dropped to 6th with a 55min run split…

Being the first guy to miss prize money always sucks. Makes me think of my ITU days when in a crowded hotel elevator, Ozzy legend Miles Stewart asked me “Wheres the prize money, Conrad?” Referring to my 21st place, when they payed to 20th…

Josiah and Melanie were both going well and scored solid wins.

The combination of tough course, harsh weather and cold start, I coined the phrase: “Canada up! EH” Will have make a T Shirt for Mel who wanted to be the only pro to wear a little fluffy vesty under her race kit, so she wont be cold … CANADA UP MEL!

Sign me up for XTERRA Whistler 2011!

Read more about XTERRA Canada here, RevolvePhotos� pix here

Here is a quick glimpse of race day. The wet roots carnage starts around 4 minutes…

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