XTERRA Sky High

Tubing is not the ideal day before a race activity, but what the hell. It was like 98 degrees, and our good freinds with an awesome boat invited us out last minute. We had a great time, even though I'm pretty sure I cracked a rib about 2 seconds after Kristin caught this photo of me holding on for dear life.

Didn't bother me at all for the race, or for 2 days after, but I'm really feeling it now...

Anyhow, on Sunday I left home at 3:45am and drove the 3 hours to Grafton Lakes (a little northeast of Albany, NY). Arrived, signed in, warmed up and was ready to race. The race started about 30 mins later than planned because heavy storms had rolled through the night before and there were some trees/debries that needed to be cleared from the trails.

Swim: Started with a 300 yd beach run then 500 yds swim, then 400yd beach run and 500yd swim. I took it easy on the first beach run, and jumped in the water towards the back of the pack and then maintained a steady pace. Was 10th after the first loop, and then 4th after the second and into T2.

Bike: Came out of T2 next to a buddy of mine, we worked together for the 2.5 miles or so on fire roads, but then when we got to the single track and hills I couldn't hang with him anymore, and just rode my own race for the rest of the 20K bike leg. Course was technical rocky and muddy/slippery.

Run: Super technical single track, with lots of boulders and mud, one long steep climb up a fire road and then back down down before completeing the loop around the lake. I felt great, was focusing on my footwork, and was making up ground on the 2 people ahead of me, but just didn't have enough to catch them.

Finished 9th overall, 3rd in my Age Group with a 1:44:27

Official Results HERE

Muddy day, here is the bike after the race...

Right now I'm ranked 1st in the Northeast Region for XTERRA Races (M30-M34)... That will change over the next few weeks as there are a few races that I will be missing. I'm sure Dave and a few others will overtake me... But I should have enough points to remain in the top 8 now, and thus earn a slot in Nationals!!!

Oh yeah, I tried out these Aquasphere Seal XP goggles for the first time. They were perfect, no leakage at all, no fogging, very comfortable, and great open water swimming visibility. Think I'm going to stick with them for a while.