First XTERRA in....................................

how many years??? Gosh it has been so long since my last off-road tri than I can't recall. Maybe 2006 at Richmond?? So......................since my return from Sabbatical I have been doing some tri training so I decided to sign-up for the Charlottesville XTERRA with some pals from NOVA.

The Truth in T1

I rolled out of town to stay at a friend's (Scud) house near Charlottesville and arrived at about 7pm. After a hearty meal from Subway and some amazing ice cream from a shop across the street I kicked back at Scud's house and went to bed at a reasonable hour after prepping a few bottles.

The next morning came fast and me, Kevin, and Don (from Philly) were up at 5 and I was out the door at 5:30 so I could get to the race in time for packet pick up. 

After my requisite multiple visits to the loo I was ready for the swim and because of water temps no wetsuits allowed..........bummer...

The swim went well and although I have no idea of my split I felt surprisingly rhythmic and was having fun. This was a 2 lap effort and slogging through the mud at the end was the only part I didn't enjoy.


In to T2 and I was on the fat tire pretty quick and out on the trail. I was riding pretty well until about the half-way point when I lost my shifter and was stuck in the big ring...........Sheesh this meant I had only a handful of gears and could not climb any hills. Well..........I could climb hills but just not on my bike so I was working my shlepping skills up some short, steep, hills in the heat of the Shenendoahs. This was when Dr. Kathy cruised by me!

Pierre and Dr. Kathy post-race

 Shortly after losing my shifter I lost a bolt in my suspension so whenever I pushed too hard on the pedals or stood-up the real wheel would torque and the chain would rub against the tire!! So at this point I was just trying to limp in and not damage the bike any more.

Me, Dr. Kathy, and Pierre with his Single Speed!!

So, overall a slower bike leg than I had hoped but I finished in one piece and was off on the 4mi run leg. I ran a heck of a lot better than I thought I would after the frustrating and exhausting bike leg and passed a few people, was smoked by some 18 year old kid, and finished strong. 

Well done by Kathy who was 1st overall woman and Pierre was 7th overall.


JOCMO: Hmmmmmmmm.....had to think about this one. I guess it should be a Tri Moment? I was not last and was definitely racing all day so that is the moment from this blog entry.