Xterra Tahoe City

Race day in Tahoe and although this is my longest triathlon to date, I have been resting more and had more training going into it which proved to be a solid race for me. Probably the best "pacing" race I have done because I was worried about the distance so I kept it mellow for as long as I could. Also the first Xterra that I have gone into "injury free" so it was nice to push an not have to worry about the wrong kind of pain.

The water was cold. C O L D, C O L D, C O L D ! ! ! It was super clear too and when we all got going I actually forgot about the cold (for a little). The swim had two 600 yard loops with a beach run in the middle to mix it up Xterra style a bit. I needed the run in the middle and felt myself slowing a bit towards the end of the second loop. Just in time to get out and run to T1 about a mile up the road.

(Kevin Brown making his way to loop 2 of the swim)

Bike course was sick. SICK!! It has some long climbs, pretty technical, fast descents, slopping turns through the forest and loads of single track. Two laps and pace was so important. I held back just enough on the first lap to push it as hard as I could on the second. I knew the run was going to be a walk/run for most people seeing as it was all up and all down so I let it go on the second loop. After the initial first two climbs there are some rolling features that you can hold momentum on and I got to pass a few crowds of people there. Just before the last decent I was questioning stopping at the aid station and ended up locking up and crashing into it!! haa haaa.... Gatorade all over the pace and things got sticky fast. Sorry race volunteers! What a rookie move.

Going into T2 I got my feet out early and had a great transition. This is the first time I have done this with mountain bike shoes and it went over perfectly. Off on the run and right into a climb through some rolling hills on a paved road, dirt road, single track and back.

(making it through the run)

The run was no surprise as we scouted it out the day before. Steep, over logs and you name it and then just when things started to level out we were flying downhill busting up our quads. Good times and it was nice to finish downhill. I ended up passing a few people on the last few miles which is amazing for me on the run. It was all heart at this point as we were getting into the three hour zone and on the home stretch.

Done. What a day... Clear skies, BBQ to finish and good times and trails all around us. Hope I can still ride tomorrow.

(Kevin Brown and I trying to "ice down" in the water)

I ended up finishing in sixth place and getting some points for the Xterra series. Hopefully, I can put together a season of "non-injured" races and make it to the finals one year.

Here are the official results

Swim:	0:29:28
Bike:	1:57:13
Run:	0:52:50
Finish:	3:17:35

Also posted some pictures of the race and course over here.