AAA – American Adventure Again

Somehow I managed to check 60kg of paraphernalia straight through from Cape Town to Reno without swiping the not-gold-at-all plastic freedom; an upbeat travel prelude soon damped by 1hour of flight delay and a reservation made incorrectly under Daniel Godfrey and not Daniel Hugo. With an 18hour flight, 10hour layover, 7hour flight, and 1 hour drive ahead, bolting down the stylish new Johannesburg terminal stirring up a sweat is not first choice – nor missing the flight.

The Packing Chaos with 15m of Bubble Wrap

I am now in Washington DC, sitting and thinking, then just sitting, sipping on my second round at Starbucks still at the airport as the runways aren’t visible in the misty rain outside. I could have jumped a buss anyhow, but then it was a night of little sleep sitting squashed sideways against an oversized American making me turn to: Australia, Changeling, Max Payne, Music and Lyrics, Forest Gump as an alternative to 5min slumber cycles. All weighting towards time in Terminal C versus White House photo snapping.

So this then the 4th American Adventure. For those tracing the outlines of the journey more recently: I spent 5weeks in 2006, doing a race and a half before crashing and breaking a wrist. I spent 7weeks over here doing three successful races last year this time, before another 6 towards year end for Xterra USA Finals and Xterra World Champs in Maui. I have come to love the small mountain town of Truckee, and the Mandy family who’ve hosted me there. So that will be my base again this season with intentions of

May 2 – Loews Lake Las Vegas XTERRA West Cup
May 17 – XTERRA Midwest Cup
May 23 – XTERRA Southeast Cup
June 6 – XTERRA Northwest Cup
June 14 – XTERRA Atlantic Cup
June 20 – XTERRA South Central Cup
July 12 – XTERRA Northeast Cup
July 18 – XTERRA Mountain Cup

before spending an added week in New York due to personal lure. Which leaves less time in Truckee than I would have liked, but that said, if the racing is not progressing, I’ll back out of one or two, train some, and do the last few again. So we’ll see.

The change in series has made for a heap more travel, which really excites me. New race states, new courses – should be a treat. I hope you’ll follow the rabit trail with me as I try paint a canvas with all the paint I have. So I’ve been instructed from home at least… But thats my intention. I’m realistic about form and where the past few months has me at, and so not all objectives will be results based. Just layer apon layer, keep acquiring experience, expand the sphere of influence, and in turn be influenced.

The first race should be a shebang before during and after in Vegas. Will be driving the 7hours down from Truckee with Emma Gerrard – the second triathlete under coach Gary’s guidance. Am excited.

The last 48hours in South Africa spiralled out of control despite a defiant fight for the antithesis. A few majito’s with post race friends, clearing my apartment half, sorting all the easter bunny surprises from Jeep Apparel, Puma, Specialized and 2XU (such incredible gear – will blog it soon but am now kitted for winter!), lunch with family, massage, evening drinks with friends circle,  Benita, new underwear, CD to post office, collecting and order at Exclusive Books, etc etc. Just a mess. More time for the niggling knee to recover, yes crashed again the day before Grabouw and hurt the ligament above the knee a little… And a few hours in the first real frontal rain of winter which changes the scent of town completely, waking it to fullness along with the cozyness of a fine drizzle draped over the mountain side across town. That mixed emotion in leaving of sadness and anticipation in one knowing its time, and knowing I’ll enjoy being home on the 27th July.

But for now – the American Adventure Again