Race Report: Xterra East Championships 2008, Richmond, USA

Xterra Richmond

2nd Place, 24 sec behind winner Josiah Middaugh

Time: 2:03:12

First into T1. First into T2. First to 9km… That’s all I had.

(Where it all started - James River in Richmond)

Blue and pink caps for male and female pro category entrants lined the train bridge pillars in the James River, waiting for the sound of canon fire that starts each Xterra Championship event here in the United States. I lined up furthest up stream, expecting the pack to be shifted past the first bouy in the crossing of the current before reaching the first of many shallow sections.

Shallow enough to get beached like a whale, treacherous enough to stop you from standing up or dolphin diving. It was always going to be a crazy 1000m in the water, with a 100m across an island off the far shore midway through. I picked a line through some rocks and lead after the island, but Craig Evan and Conrad Stoltz were never more than a few strokes back. Us three touched terra firma together, starting the real racing for the day. It must have been 400m at least to transition one, and I ran this as hard as I could leading it in. 14min to get on the bike from the start, so it couldnt have been much more than 12min in the water.

Conrad has the custom Specialized Trivent shoes for mountain biking (the only pair in the world) which may have helped him get a second or two, but from there its raw watts that hurt watching from behind as it propels him further and further. Compounding that is skill I admire for a lethal biking make up thats just too good.

Craig and I had planned to try and work the early flat open sections, which we did, and even some of the technical we rode together, but every crowd in the forest shouted a bigger split. 40sec, 55sec, 1:05, eventual 1:15 to Stoltz and 25sec back to Craig when I passed the deserving winner of the day fixing yet another flat.

I didnt go much harder, as I was already at max. My technical ability felt better and I rode with more confidence today. So much fun stuff to ride, like a stair tower we went down, or a cement pipe to ride across a stream, or underneath the road through storm water tunnels, as well as rocky lines, rooted climbs, the course really had it all.

Every little up, every switch back, all asked for an acceleration out the saddle. My back was tight towards the end from the intense unusual riding. I had 50sec lead into transition two, thinking I may just have gotten lucky…

The first five kilometres is open and fast and flat, and soon Ruth shouted two were trailing 10seconds back. Soon after we hit gravel and some technical running where I’m more at ease. I was fighting hard, honest, and held that 10sec gap for a few kilometres, till about 1km left, when I could hear the footsteps behind. Josiah was flying, and although I could see the hurt all over his running style, he was still moving better than I. He is one of the greatest guys and well deserving of the victory. He’d given all too.

I really wanted to hold out.

Being disappointed for second is a milestone in itself, and I guess my expectations have shifted. Which can only be a good thing. Thankfully Tyler blew and dropped to finish 30seconds back from me. Andy Noble closed Craig down to finish fourth, and my team mate for the day hang on to fifth.

(Hawaiin)

I am now leading the Xterra USA Series, which is fantastic and a great note for departure to Europe, and the three Xterra’s that lie ahead there. The other point I kept being reminded of was the change from last year, standing on the sidelines cheering the race with a broken wrist. Got to appreciate the good days when they’re there. Grateful to my Father in Heaven for talent and opportunity.

(Men’s Podium: Craig, Tyler, Josiah, myslef and Andy)

Thanks for the support and interest. Ruth had calls from friends, one saying she was telling her boyfriend to stop shouting as “Dan definitely cant hear you”. Sharing the excitement and the journey makes all the difference. Thanks for the emails and comments and txts and calls.

www.flickr.com dghugo’s Xterra Richmond photoset

Categories: News, Race Reports, Xterra, Xterra East Championships, Xterra Richmond


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