Race Report: Xterra Southeast Championships, Alabama, USA

Xterra Alabama:

2nd place, 16sec behind winner Conrad Stoltz.

Swim:21:04

Mtb: 1:05:40

Run: 39:30

Total: 2:06:14

(Second rendezvous in the USA for 08)

If I were to start racing the bike leg when getting out the car, I’d have wrecked myself on the first few corners. I was ready to kill. Wesley thumped some Rock Zombie on the drive to Oak Mountain State Park to get me ‘pumped up’ as they’d say here in Bama, for the second Championship race of the Xterra USA Series 2008.

I dont know if warming up was beneficial or detrimental, with the temperatures soaring as high as the humidity levels. I got back from a light jog drenched and grabbing for drink. Even the swim warm up in water measured at 81 degrees at 8am didnt cool one’s core much. One just was warmed up - period.

(Getting Transition Prepped)

I was happy to be off to cracking swim start, and lead out the right hand side of the pack. Fast but not fast enough to latch onto Craig Evans, local Xterra hero’s feet, but fast enough to get onto some fast as girl’s feet. For some time at least. I lost her on the second lap of the 1500m swim, but it had been enough to put some time into the lead pack, including fellow countrymen with rank number 1, Conrad Stoltz.

(Swim course in the Oak Mountain Lake)

My advantage out the swim was nullified by a freak out in transition. I just about lost the plot (not professional at all), as my helmet wasnt where I’d placed it on my bike handlebars. I couldnt see it, I couldnt see it. I screamed for help in reflex, but what could anyone do. It wasnt far from my feet, but the 15 seconds of panic shook me a little. It was also enough to let Stotlz and another by before entering the single track some 500m down the asphalt. Passing was tricky at best, and by the time I could get round, Stotlz was disappearing out of sight along the twists and turns of the Oak Mountain Red Bike Route totalling 29km.

Nothing was smooth about my riding. I was over cornering, over breaking, clipping roots, and all with a back tire that felt flat, but in fact was nothing but normal. Flustered I got to half way with a 1:30 split to Stotlz and Evans who were together, and 30sec back to 4th. This was also the start of the 3mile climb. I grabbed some extra hydration from the feed zone, settled into a good rhythm, and tried to close. On the plateau I passed Stoltz putting a tube into his tire - a sad sight for anyone. Not far on, I could see Craig and from this thought it might be my day.

I rode the technicalness at Blood Rock smoothly, to a cheering crowd, and conservatively made my way passed and over the section I broke my wrist at last year - with a smile of course. One ghost laid to rest. Playing it safe, I gave 10sec to Evans on the descent, and soon heard a rattling behind me. Stoltz. What a class act. He was pushing as hard as I’ve seen any riding, and technically came up fast enough to inspire an apprehensive rider to hast.

1min Ruth shouted as I ran out of transition, chasing Craig and Conrad.

Temperatures were now soaring, and getting into the Oak shade seemed bliss. I was moving really well in my Puma Complete Racers today, an encouraging feeling after working specifically on my run off the bike since Xterra Temecula three weeks back. Taking my USN gels seemed critical to stay sustained and avoid cramping. One must have lost litres today.

Not long after passing Craig Evans into second, we hit the first of many steep roller coaster climbs. Thats my kind of running - strength running, and I closed to within 5 seconds of Conrad. Encouraging yet mind numbing to recognise his form being able to be there after repairing a flat. Real inspiration.

(Another one two for number one and two)

Most collapsed into the medical tent for an IV drip. Some even had three. I felt in control, far more so than at Temecula. A good sign for the 4 up coming races: Richmond, Wales, Czech and France.

(Girls podium)

(Men’s podium)

A great day for the series ambitions too, with none of Temecula’s top five repeating a top five barring Stoltz and I.

(Plans for tonight…)

www.flickr.com dghugo’s Xterra Alabama photoset

(All the photo’s I have thus far)

This entry was posted on Monday, June 9th, 2008 at 12:47 am and is filed under Conrad Stoltz, Craig Evans, Race Reports, Xterra, Xterra Alabama, Xterra Alabama Photo's, Xterra Alabama Results, Xterra Southeast Championships. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.