XTERRA Northeast Cup (Sport Course) - TriathlonOther

Since this was my first race. I started off in the back and to the right of everyone. Which meant I swam towards the middle of the pond instead of towards the buoy which was on the left. I drafted behind a couple of the guys for a short while until I realized that I was overtaking them. So I swam to the left of them and pushed passed the group. Once I broke out of that pack it was a lot easier because the water was less choppy. I picked up my stroke rate after I rounded the second buoy and maintained relaxed.

I need to sight better and get into a better rhythm when doing so. I don't know if I'd change my stroke rate.

The official time lumped the T1 with the bike and T2 with the run. So the above time is estimated by the split time on my watch.

Very very slow and horrible T1. Since T1 was separate from T2 the race director gave us garbage bags with our bib numbers on there to put all of our stuff in. I had trouble unfolding this bag. Also had trouble getting on the Dreamfar uniform it kept on getting twisted and sticking to my back.

Definitely reduce the amount of crap in T1. Things to get rid of: large towel, shoes I was wearing prior to putting on the wetsuit, and camelbak. Also to pick up the pace a bit while in transition.

Overall the climbs were very very challenging with the mud. Even without the mud the shear length and grade of them would be lung and leg burners. Due to the mud I wasn't able to get traction to ride up most of the climbs during the first mile. Some sections were so muddy I had to carry my bike because I couldn't get both good footing and a good section to roll my bike over. There was only one section of rocks that I didn't want to risk riding.

It was a nice break after the first mile to get on some roads to get some momentum going. Coasting down at 30mph definitely was good on the psychology and also a nice break from the climbing.

Sugar Run and Catamount Trail was WICKED AWESOME SIIICK! Gotta merge the East and West Coast vernacular. I had a lot of fun on these trails. Everything was ridable here even the muddy sections. My cornering and gear selection was excellent. Didn't have to dismount for any of the log jumps. Didn't get stuck in any of the stream crossings or mud fields. Ratched my way through the rocky bits. Pretty much shredded the downhills. I even hucked a 2-3 ft rock ledge to avoid a rocky downhill bit. This by far was some of the best singletrack I've ridden! Too bad it's on private land and I can't return to ride it. Since it was on private land, there were some areas that had barbed wire pretty much a foot away from your arm (depending on your line).

The last off-road trail prior to getting on Mt. Ellen Access Rd my left calf was beginning to cramp from all of the hiking with the bike. Mt. Ellen Access Rd the last bit of road section to T2 was hell. It was a rough pothole surface in the sun. Dropped to a very easy gear to get the cadence up to prepare my legs for the run.

Drop some static weight. Would think carefully about using the Camelbak for a race. With so much hiking I would have done better without the extra weight. And drinking would not be a problem since I was dismounted anyways. I would definitely try to pre-ride at least a portion of the trail before the race. I rode this one completely blind.

Also I would attempt to ride more of the sections and keep a positive look. Even if I rode only for a few yards at least those yards were traversed faster on the bike than off. I would also try to run with the bike more when dismounted.

Had a bit of trouble racking my bike due to the uneven surface. Honestly I thought I was going to knock over the entire rack. Since I was covered in mud I decided to change my socks prior to putting on the running shoes.

Put on the race belt in T1 so I don't have to worry about it in T2. Again I would get rid of the Camelbak.

First half-mile was awkward after mountain biking for so long. Got sort of in a groove until the first steep climb. Everything started cramping during this climb: lower and upper quads, hamstrings, calves. Just kept moving forward even if it was walking. Since coming to a complete stop my muscles would begin to lock up. The climbs were more hell at this point, aerobically I felt fine, my muscles told a different story. I tried side stepping up the hills to ease the work my calves had to do. It seemed to help. Downhills were very tough given how much effort it took to remain in control of my descent. Did I mention my muscles were about done? I tried to keep focus by doing quick checks on my running form. But, the last descent I was soo happy to see the finish line my form really broke down. I just tried to keep under control so I didn't trip and injure myself.

I would eat some gummy bears and take a swig of water in transition and run without the fuel belt. Work on my ascending skills.

As soon as I crossed the finish line I hit up the aid station. Ate several pieces of banana, some stale bagels with peanut butter, and some orange slices. Also drank a bunch more water.


Mud, mud, and mud. Also calf muscle endurance, and the other muscles used when hiking uphill with a bike. Got to do some calf-raises and some trail running hill repeats.

There is a lot of simplification I need to do for my transitions. I also need to run with the bike more when dismounted. The next person in my age group was only 5 minutes ahead of me. I definitely remember leap frogging him during the bike portion while hiking.