My first Xterra - Am I crazy?

For your first one, go out and have fun and just do what you need to do to finish. Don't get crazy on the bike. If you are unsure about something, get off and walk it. Actually, there's a good chance everyone will have to hike the bike at some point. Each XTERRA I've done has a hike a bike section.

But yeah, you have to be a certain level of crazy to do an XTERRA.

Have a great race and good luck!

OMG - you guys are getting me so amped - I am a little crazy so I have that covered! I just don't wanna be dead last and I will be happy - I think there are only 200 people racing - AHHHhhhhh!!!

My first ever tri was an Xterra.  Loved it!  The bike portion was tough for sure with more than a couple pretty technical spots.  My advice is to not get in over your head and ride your own race.  Be sure not to injure yourself or break the bike.  Walk sketchy sections if you need to.  I guarantee you won't be the only one that has to dismount.  Once you put the bike on the rack, enjoy the trail running!

I am really comfortable riding in the woods - I just realized though that I am going to probably need to pass people. How in the heck do you do that on a single track trail?

I have a habbit of being WAY too nice about passing. I just don't think it is going to be safe to pass a bunch of people. And as far as walking is concerned I can forsee disaser - I bet people are going to be walking up the middle of the trail if there is no where else to walk.

I just posted a bunch of links to past XTERRA threads here on BT in the BT FAQ thread. Hope those help.

If you need to pass, wait for a good spot where there's a bit more room and just say "on your left" and make the pass. Most people are pretty cool about it. Passing is a part of racing, so definitely do it if you're being held up.

Walkers usually try to move off to the side and yield the line to those that are riding (or attempting to ride). I've done some XTERRAs where EVERYONE, including the world championship pros, had to walk. One section was a steep, deep sand uphill, and the other was a rock field where the bikes had to be carried. In the woods there can be logs you have to drag the bike over. XTERRA prides itself on including stuff like this as "features" in the race, not obstacles.

I did my first this year and it was a blast!  They have another one that's local but it happens to fall on the same weekend as my yearly 'A' race.  Believe it or not, I may do both or skip my 'A' race for the offroad tri.

The only thing I could suggest it get some time on the trails with your bike and pre ride the bike course if you can.

I found that I can ride a road triathlon blind, but it REALLY helped me to pre ride the XTERRA course to learn where the climbs and techinical sections are and get some ideas of what a better line might be.

Have fun!


ETA:

Let me add that XTERRA is a lot harder than a road tri (at least it was for me).  It was really easy to cook myself on the bike which left me short on the run.  I'm usually really good off the bike but the XTERRA left me walking for a lot of the uphill sections of the run.

Edited by Aikidoman 2009-08-10 3:23 PM

Thanks for all the tips everyone RR will be up next Monday!!

I have done straight mtb races, and I have raced one Xterra race (but did it two years in a row)  - and the Xterra bike portions were far easier than just mtb course.  Some technical spots but less technical overall. 

Yep. XTERRAs are much smaller and less popular than road tris. 200 is considered big, so a smaller, local race can have quite a bit fewer.

Don't worry if you come in last. You got out there and went for it!

With your background in mountain biking and trail running you will have a blast.  XTERRAs are not crazy, just tris for people who like to get dirty.

Another question >>>>>> I don't have clipless pedals on my mt. bike. Would you recommend wearing one pair of shoes for the bike leg and then switching them out w/ running shoes in T2?

I think that if it is not muddy I should be able to wear my trail/running shoes on the bike. Which would make for a super fast T2!

Yeah, if you're running toe clips just wear your trail runners. Super fast!

My first tri was an Xterra & I had a ball. I was completely drained - totally undertrained & underprepared. After dogpaddling/backstroking/sidestroking my way thru the swim I was almost dead last & beat - once on the bike I was surprised at how much ground I gained & people I passed in the first couple of miles. Then I blew a rear tube - no problem I have a spare - wait a min - where is my pump? Crap! sittin in the garage at the house? This was about 4 miles in to the ride - I started walking/running/walking with the bike - by the time I got back to transition I had resigned myself to giving up - hadn't seen anyone in a long time - but the support & encouragement of those other racers & spectators lifted my spirits - then I began to see a handful of people still behind me - ok - I didn't come this far just to quit - so I left on the run - those spirits fell probably less than a mile in & I continued my run/walk/run routine until about the last mile - I had a very nice pace booty pass me only to stay just out of comfortable sight distance that sparked me to finish under power for that last mile - it was great! I had finally completed a tri - an an Xterra at that! On top of all that I still finished ahead of about 30 people! (Some didn't finish but I count those as well!)

I have no advice other than to say "Enjoy - & don't be so worried about DFL -you'd be surprised at what you can overcome"

Ahh thanks everbody - I love you guys