XTERRA Fort Yargo - Winder, GA - TriathlonSprint

Xterra does there races with a mass start...yeah, not a fan. Granted, the number of athletes was close to what I've raced with in the past but swimming with large men all around kind of freaked me out. This start was a wade start and I started kind of near the back and to the side. They announced the start and we were off.

I was concerned about shoulder fatigue because of the full suit and it wasn't really an issue. My normal speed wasn't there but I wasn't concerned. I had a decent pace after I settled down after the start. I felt comfortable, my stroke felt okay and my sighting was good.

My only complaint was with the sleeves. I felt like I couldn't get a good pull because the sleeves make my arms buoyant. Maybe I was imagining it but I had a hard time doing a good deep dig in my stroke.

I am so glad I bodyglided my neck really well because I could feel the "wetsuit kiss" but it wasn't as bad as it would have been without the bodyglide. It left a nice hickey on the back of my neck, though. I didn't even know it had left a mark until I got in the shower and it stung like a beotch.

There was one point when the sun was breaking through the clouds and I could see it when I breathed on my right side under my arm. I remember thinking it was cool and was happy I decided to race. I thought, "I get to race today, there are lots of people who can't say that."

I was sighting off the big orange buoys and the first one looked really far away. I was so glad when I finally got to it. Made it to the furthest buoy and was able to make a good sharp turn. Then I knew I was about 1/2 way through and knew I could make it. I concentrated on my stroke and swam a comfortable pace. I swam until my hand it the bottom of the lake and stood up and unzipped and took the wetsuit off halfway.

I was so glad the swim was over and I made it. I think this is the first race when I was looking forward to getting through the swim to get to the bike.

This seems like an obvious one....but train? I think I've been in the pool 3 times this year.

Got up the ledge out of the lake and sort of jogged to transition. Found my rack and immediately sat down on my towel to take the wetsuit off. When I tried it on the first day and the day before, I had the damndest time getting the stupid thing off my legs. Before the race I bodyglided my legs and it actually came off easier than I expected. It still felt like it took forever but better then the day before.

I got the wetsuit off and while sitting got my stuff on. Helmet, gloves, socks and my MTB shoes. (those shoes have the rachet, what a PITA for races) I stood up and threw on my camelbak. Grabbed my bike and jogged out of T1.

I don't know, not sit down? I know it's free time in a race but with this race my wetsuit took extra time and I wasn't trying to go super fast anyway.

I really liked this course. I ride it all the time but there were a few changes where they rerouted the course. I felt like my pace was good, above normal but comfortable. At the beginning there were some other riders who came up behind me and passed me but after awhile everyone was spaced out and I didn't really see anyone.

I had decided ahead of time that I'd take a GU at the beginning of the bike. The course started on a nice wide, mostly flat section where I could eat it. It was really my best opportunity to take it. I usually ride after a GU but I ate it and it turned my stomach later because I'd swallowed some lake water -- lake water and espresso love are NOT a good combination.

For most of the ride I was playing leapfrog with a woman who started behind me. I was able to keep her at bay for a lot of it because even after she passed me I was able to catch back up on the climbs. I think she finally passed me for good when we came to a set of switchbacks that give me trouble when the course goes this direction. I was anxious about it and I had planned to try but I couldn't. As soon as I knew I wouldn't make it I hopped off and ran my bike. I had to do this one or two more times and didn't care. Running up a hill I have trouble with is better than falling.

I made it back to the start and rode to transition. As I was coming in I saw the overall male winner (the Pro at the race) at the finish line because he'd already finished. Not so much a confidence blow (he is a Pro, afterall) but I didn't want to see that he was done and I still had 5 miles to run!

As always...go faster and practice! I haven't ridden the course in this direction in a couple of months. I need to get better at keeping traction on the back wheel when I'm climbing a hill on loose dirt and sand. (the course was so dry!)

Overall, I was happy with my bike performance. I really just started mountain biking in October and I'm happy with my improvement. THis was an average ride compared to most people (or even poor) but it was a good ride for me. Wearing the camelbak was definitely the right decision. I felt like I had enough water and I wear it while mountain biking all the time so I was used to it.

I think (and hope) that this transition is in with my run time. I'm not sure. If it's with my bike then my bike split is actually better then I thought. If it's with my run then my run split is better. I hope it's with the run.

I came in off the bike and basically threw my gear down on my towel after racking my bike. Took off my camelbak, gloves, helmet and shoes. Slipped on my running shoes and grabbed my visor, racebelt, waterbottle and a GU. Put on my race belt while moving and held my visor in my teeth until I could put it on over my hair.

Not much, this was a decent T2.

By this time it was getting hot. The sun came out on the run while it was mostly overcast while on the bike. I felt great starting out, no lead legs and my pace felt good. I worked to get my breathing under control and followed the course. I was following the bike course and then I got to the fishing bridge. Even though the RD said the run followed the bike, my mush-mind thought that we were supposed to go across the bridge at the beginning of the run and at the end. I go across and runners are coming at me, then I start to think I'm going the wrong way; there aren't any other runners going my direction. Crap, I went the wrong way. I turned around and I probably went an extra 1/2 mile after running out and back. I picked up the CORRECT course and trudged along.

I was running along and was surprised my legs felt good. I couldn't believe I was still moving forward because I was tired and undertrained for the run. I ran, walked a little, ran, walked a little and then hit the 1/2 way point and refilled my water bottle at the water stop. I was so happy to see more water! After that the course picked up a trail I run all the time and I felt like I picked up the pace and ran the rest of the way. I was able to catch a guy in front of me who I'd seen ahead for a long time. He stayed behind until the very end of the run when he was able to pass. I didn't have much left so I let him go.

Um, train more? I really think I do my best running off the bike but I should have run some more. My bike fitness translated well to the run so that saved me. (and my base)

The day before the race I decided to take a water bottle with me on the run. This was probably one of my best decisions of the race. I brought one of my amphipod bottles because they're small. I was able to tuck the bottle in my waistband or hold it without it being a problem. But it's only 8 ounces so I was happy to be able to refill it.

Walked around, stretched a little and grabbed a Gatorade and a bagel.


Not training anywhere near as much as I should have but for what I've done, I'm happy with my performance.


This is a good, fun race. It's a great course for almost anyone; not too technical and a good mix of downhills and climbs. A good way to be introduced to Xterra racing. I would definitely do this race again and not just because it's right down the road from my house.