Skinned alive - Xterra Michigan
May 19th, 2009 by Dan Hugo
Xterra Midwest Cup - Battle Creek
4th - 2:05:27, 2min11 behind winner Conrad Stoltz
A report in short: Much better performance than in Vegas two weeks prior with a comfortable swim in the front pack. It was only 1000m though, and not enough to split and spread as would have been good for the 32km of tight twisty single track of a bike. But I made my first mistake, while trying to get my feet into my shoes on the bike. I’d glad-wrapped the toes of my shoes, and so doing seemingly restricted it a little. That, together with the frozen feet and fingers, made it near impossible to get my feet in. One in, the second came off. Riding with my shoe in hand, I thought to myself, self, we’ve made a mistake here… But at a near stand still I forced the brick of a frozen foot into the shoe. Eventually managed to get past three riders at a rare opening, and set chase to Stoltz.
I was stunned at my riding, and felt great. But in the cold my eyes were watering, and I felt my right lense start shifting about. The course is incredibly fun, with one section of bmx type pumping through a trench built for war practice in the previous generations. I stopped when the lense finally popped out, and luckily I saw where it fell to the ground. Managed to get it back in, gravel and all while forgetting my glasses with the spectator. So now fearing my eyes would especially be struggling with the cold air, I pressed on. Somehow they held.
I’ve never panic’d as muh in transition. My feet were numb, and fingers useless - I could not get my Puma’s on. I ran what felt alright, but it wasnt fast. Last too much time on a very fast flat run. I felt I could do another two laps at the same splits, but not any fast. Perhaps the cold, perhaps just a need for more speed work. I got caught on the 2nd run lap, at kilometre 6 or so, by a flying Josiah and Mike. So despite my three little setbacks, the major fault was my lack of leg speed. I’ll keep at it.
Stoltz and Melanie McQuaid both had very impressive wins again, as in Vegas. Congrats to both.
For more photo’s from Michigan, link here to Flickr Set.
Five days rest, before putting together a better day in Bama. Thanks for the support and interest.
P.S. - Didnt even try get my gloves on in the cold. Could not feel my hands, and did not know till after the race that I had shifted skin off my thumbs…
| 4th in Michigan | Nashville Southern Living |
May 19th, 2009 at 10:47 am
you mentioned that you were a Popsicle in the race…a freezing lake and a tree hooded bike race would make a man frozen. I am confuzed why you showed your right hand…your left hand had a worse “burn” then your right.
May 19th, 2009 at 7:35 pm
Well Done Dan. Not bad. Just remember - There is no such thing as bad weather, just bad gear. To be honest that glad wrap…..
May 19th, 2009 at 11:26 pm
I was wrong in my comment. Now that I think back on it, your left hand was worse then your right hand. But of course you know that since it is your hands
Hopefully your next race will be warmer and you won’t have frustrating moments like your contact falling out. Good luck!!