Xterra World Championships, Maui, HI Race Report October 29th 2007

It’s been a week since the race and I’ve had time to reflect back on the whole experience. I’ve shared a lot of it with friends, clients and fellow mountain bikers. All of whom have made me feel very proud that I persevered with my training, the workouts, the racing and recovery needed to make it through a very long season..

Last years’ race saw a lot of human and mechanical carnage. Deep cuts from the insidious lava, mangled derailleurs, broken chains, twisted rims, ripped sidewalls, flats and more flats. I was more concerned about flatting than I was about finishing. I became obsessed with the question “How much pressure should I put in my tires!” The course is unlike any I have ever ridden. I’m used to riding roots, rocks and shale. Obstacles that pretty much stay in place. Here, in Maui, the terrain is mostly deep red sand with loose lava rocks that jump up to meet you. You can be cruising down a downhill at warp speed and all of a sudden you fishtail, the bike goes out of control and then you’re crashing into the kiave thorn bushes and more lava rocks.

With this said, and having just raced at Xterra nationals in Lake Tahoe 3 weeks prior, my goal was to not race but to experience the Xterra World Championships. I was here to have fun, not get injured and to cross the finish line with a smile.

Pre-Race:
During the few days leading up to the race I had a chance to acclimate to the heat and full sun. Since the mountain bike course was on private property, we weren’t allowed to pre-ride it. But we were given permission to ride part of the run course. Maui, though beautiful in some areas, is mostly arid, barren except for scrub and kiave thorn bushes and unshaded.

kiave thorn bushes seem to be everywhere. On the side of the trail, in the middle of the trail, basically everywhere. It was recommended that I switch from a lightweight tube that punctures easy to something new to me – slime tubes. These tubes are self-sealing and help prevent flats, except when you don’t seat them correctly. Needless to say, I was unaware of how to use them and preceded to pinch flat within the first 3 miles of my pre-ride. I was dumfounded and thought about nothing else for the next few days.

It was at the pre-race dinner that I was unbelievably lucky to have met up with Ken (also from NY state) who took the time to explain why I flatted and what to do. I followed his advice and needless to say – I was calm and confident that I wouldn’t be on the side of the trail fixing a flat!


Race Day

The Swim
1.5k. 2 laps with a 50m run on the beach between laps. 3 foot swells with a slight current from the north The swim was counterclockwise so I positioned myself way off to the right so that I wasn’t swimming against the current. I was able to catch a draft off a group of swimmers who swam just a little bit faster than I do on my own. No elbow bashing or rude swimming. So I kicked back and enjoyed the swim portion of the race. I didn’t see the turtles that usually hang out in the area but I did see the scuba TV crew. That was kind of cool.

The Mountain Bike
Almost 20 miles of double track. Somehow it was almost all uphill! Or so it seemed. I rode the first major uphill aka HeartBreak Hill (4-5 miles long) somewhat comfortably. Unsure of what was to come I had previously decided to ride the course conservatively. So I stuck with my plan. Good thing I did. The course got much harder.

After HeartBreak Hill, there were a lot of rollers. I was still doing okay. But then came Ned’s climb. Another 4 miles of steep uphill. Full sun and tired legs. It actually was less stressful to push the bike than to ride some sections. But the reward was the downhill. A section called The Plunge. Infamous for the number of people it takes out each year, I was somewhat nervous. But since I was towards the back of the pack, I had an almost clear line down this steep, loose section. I got to ride it without worries. What a hoot! Cleaned it! but the ride wasn’t finished, I still had another 6 miles of downs and ups to get back to the transition area.

T2
I mention this transition because I made the time cut-off. A true concern. As I was leaving transition to begin the run, race director Dave Nichols (the Big Kahuna) was there to give me a big hug, encouragement and a kick in the butt to keep running. I knew then that I would finish the race.

The Run
7 miles of uphill (actually 3 miles of it at the very beginning), red sand and lava (lots of it), downhill, running on the beach, through Spooky Forest, through a lava field, more beach and then the finish. I was one of the last finishers but the remaining spectators and crew were amazing. Cheering me on with such enthusiasm they truly made me feel special. Whit who puts everything into his commentating/announcing, was there at the finish line to greet me with the best finish ever.

I proud to say “I Finished!” Thirty five athletes did not. I placed 8 out of 10 in my age group (45-49). 114 out of 131 women. This was truly the most difficult race I have ever done. Could I have raced harder – yes. Does it matter – no. I had a wonderful experience – A true celebration of life!

2007 Xterra National Championships, Lake Tahoe, Nevada.

Some of you have heard and others have not -- it's official I qualified for Xterra World's in Maui on October 28th. I actually was given the slot before I raced at nationals this past weekend! An amazing chain of events took place.

Long story short.
I arrived in Tahoe sharing a condo with 4 women and 1 male racer that I had never met. I originally was supposed to room with some others racers but that fell through. Friday night, Heather and I were talking and she told me that she had qualified at the Regionals at Richmond VA. Heather had placed 2nd 5 minutes ahead of me. unfortunately (but fortunately for me) she had to withdraw from world's just 2 weeks ago. That meant her slot was going to roll down to me! Dave "the big Kahuna" race director gave me the "You're in" the day before race day (and just before I went for my first swim in Lake Tahoe). I think I didn't even feel how cold Lake Tahoe was!

Okay, now for the race....
The Swim:
400 racers mass start in Lake Tahoe at Incline Village at 9am on Sunday. 58° water. 2 laps. 1.5k. Almost 20 people were pulled out during the first lap. Crystal clear blue/green water. It's absolutely amazing to swim and se the other swimmers around you. I stayed pretty warm for about 1 1/2 laps. Then my hands went totally numb. Thanks to my sister, I had a brand new Blue Seventy wetsuit that fit like a glove. Wore an aqua sphere neoprene shirt underneath instead of a tri top. A TYR latex/spandex cap under my race cap and swim socks. The swim took me 37 minutes. Not fast but I'm extremely happy with it. I swam well - no hyperthermic thrashing this time (LOL).

Pair of socks for my hands for the 1/2 mile run to the transition area. (I actually was able to warm up my hands enough to put on my shoes and helmet).

The Mtn Bike:
21 miles or so.. Started with the road and then a 1600 foot climb up Tunnel Creek Trail. Lots of sand and gravel. This 2.5 mile "hole shot" lead straight into the infamous Flume Trail. 4 miles of tight but oh so fast single track with incredible views of Lake Tahoe if you dared to look. I was told that there were actually spotters (men hanging from ropes) on the sides of the cliffs just in case you chose to go off trail. This trail then opened up into more double track with another 600 vertical gain. Then it was back to the single track and some kick butt technical downhills. Cleaned almost all of it. it was a blast. Finally the trail merged into the Tunnel Creek trail and it was a screaming downhill to the transition area. I had hoped for 2:40:00 on the bike but it took me 2:55:00. (I think I underestimated the course a little).

The Run.
10k urban trail run around the condos at Incline Village. Fun. Tight with lots of turns and stream crossings. Not fast but steady. 1:04:00.

The Finish:
I crossed the finish line in 4:49:24 to the announcer (his name is Whit) singing Happy Birthday to me!! Couldn't have asked for a better birthday. Swam in 58° water. Rode some awesome single track in the snow (yup it snowed several inches the day before) met some absolutely great people that I will see again and qualified for World's.

Would someone please pinch me. I'm really not sure this is real.
Mahola,
Dorothy