Xterra GatorTerra Recap

Saturday May 2nd was my second xterra of the year. I raced in Ruston, La. at Lincoln Parish Park. It was a 800 meter swim, a 10 mile mountain bike and a long 3.5 mile off-road trail run. The race started at 10 am and as usual I was the first to arrive. I like to have plenty of quiet time to calm my nerves. I checked out the run course to find it was very jungle like with vines and limbs and trees. It would take some thinking to keep from tripping and falling. I then checked out the two major hills on the bike to make sure they were fast and smooth. To the water I went with no plans for a wet suit. The temp was 77 and a half and warm. Ten minutes in the water and I was ready to race. Fred sounded the horn and we were off. Dead middle of the sharks, beating and banging with the big boys, I acted like I could swim. At the first buoy it was congested but I didn't freek. Long, powerful, relaxed strokes kept me under control. No water drinking or panic attacks helped me to a PR of 16:17 for 800 meters. Transition was slow for some reason. On the bike started good. At 1.5 miles, the left pedel hooked a root and over the handlebars I went. Jumping back on while loosing only one spot, nerves seems to say it's okay. I caught up and began passing others. Good lines and leg spinning while climbing helped a bunch. As the legs got heavy, the downhills helped with recovery. At mile 7, three guys fell over on a climb, while I smoked past them. Coming up on the Bat Cave, I climbed it with determination. Into transition once again, no socks allowed for a fast time. On the run was much mind games. I chased many people overtaking only a few. At 2.5 miles the got bad. With 2 guys ahead, I passed them both, only to have the smoke me at the finish. No 45-49 year old came past me on the run, so there was hope of a top 3. I finished with 16:17 swim, 55:49 bike, and a 33:46 run for a1:49.20. I took 4th place in my age group. Hopefully this will help with the points race which is the main objective for Utah. I was very pleased with the swim and bike but have to work more on the run. More brick workouts!