EXTRAORDINARY XTERRA EXPERIENCE IN MAUI, HAWAII…
November 19th, 2008 by adam
Aloha from hot Hawaii… I don’t believe any other 17 year old has ever been this excited to do anything before and it was everything I expected! I, Adam Grant, 17 years old from La Lucia Ridge, Durban, am the proud owner of a ‘survivors’ medal and flower lei earned at Xterra World Championships in Maui, Hawaii on Sunday 26 October 2008.
Adam Grant and Conrad Stoltz
This was definitely the greatest experience of my life so far! My first international race and I have learned so much – you do get jet lag after 36 hours on the plane, you can lose your luggage and have no clothes for a week (at least I had my bike!) and you can learn so much from the world’s greatest athletes.
Race registration took place at the Maui Prince Hotel in the town of Makena on Maui and we stayed about 18 kilometres away at the Maui Sunset Resort. Everything in Maui happens at snails pace – that was till race day! People are so laid back, they even speak at half-speed: a great way to calm the nerves before such a big event. Even greater was learning that Dan Hugo, South African Xterra Champ and fellow Team Jeep athlete, would be staying with us for the week.
What a week – daily sessions: swimming in the crystal clear waters, cycling on the specially prepared practise bike route and running the last section of the run route over lava rocks on the beach. Attending lectures at the Xterra University with great athletes like South Africa’s own Conrad Stoltz (3 x winner of Xterra Worlds), Julie Dibbens and Mike Vine. Getting advice from other great athletes like Brian Smith, an American pro who came 3rd at Xterra 2007 and of course having Dan around guiding me every step of the way.
Race day arrived hot and humid. 600 of the world’s greatest Xterra athletes representing more than 60 countries hit the clear seas at 9am. At 17, I was the second youngest male athlete in the field, racing in the u19 age group. The 1.5km swim was a breeze and I entered the bike transition in 41st position – I felt really strong…
Rushing into T1
Till I got on the bike and realised I left my legs in the transition area. The bike course is everything it is said to be – up the side of the volcano, to ‘The Plunge’ on the other side, over lava rocks and through rain forests. Absolutely awesome. Just a pity I did probably one of my worst bike times ever over the 35 km course… But thank heavens for small mercies, at least I made it onto the run leg. So many didn’t due to mechanicals or the heat.
Adam starting the ride
11 kms of the most awesome running ever. The last 3km on the beach with the waves lapping at your feet as you are crossing over lava rocks and best of all – The Finish Line! 15th in my age group and 224th out of 600 athletes, not bad for a rookie! I will be back, another 2 years in the u19 age group and I came home with a wealth of experience, knowledge and as Dan would say: ‘I have learnt a new course.’
Facing the same golf course hill...
I also swam with turtles, went on a helicopter trip over rain forests and volcanoes and missed 2 weeks of school. Thank you to my parents and family, Max and Clint and everyone at Team Jeep and my Clifton College Family for your support, giving me this extraordinary opportunity to race at this unbelievable little piece of paradise.
Chopper view of Maui
