XTERRA Worlds

Well.... it's all over. And after the dust had settled, I managed to survive Maui, and grab myself a top 20 finish.

It was a strong race for me. PB swim by a long way. Solid bike time, flying early, before paying the price later. And the run? Lets just say I survived! Whether it was the heat, or I pushed too hard early in the bike, or I just wasn't on form.... the run was a struggle.

Never the less. I held on for a top 20 finish, amongst the classiest pro field yet for an XTERRA Worlds. Coming out of an NZ winter, first tri since June, training around a fulltime job, I'll happily take a World ranking of 20th. Right now, its time for a few pies

As hard as it must have been for her to travel with me to Maui, knowing full well she couldn't race the event she'd been preparing for all year.... she seemed to enjoy the whistlestop trip. And I'm certainly glad she came along. At the very least just because I wouldn't have enjoyed the trip as much if she wasn't there.

Seems it motivated her enough though, and she refuses to let the broken collarbone slow her down..... much. As I type this she's at the Pool, doing kick sets. To be followed by lower body weights in the gym. I already feel lazy

Mt Vic: The Good, and the bad....

Unfortunately, this isn't as positive of an update as I'd hoped to provide. Whilst it would seem I'm in great shape ahead of XTERRA World Champs.... Nic has taken herself with a broken collarbone. Ouch.

On Sunday we looked forward to what was to be one of our final key training days prior to Maui. The ever popular PNP MTB series in Wellington was hosting race 3 on the tough Mt Vic course.
3 laps for Senior Men of a gruelling 9km lap (with 400m+ climbing per lap) was perfect. So a 1500min swim before the race. Race, and run a lap of the course off the bike would provide great prep. The day started well enough, as we both enjoyed a good solid swim.

On to the MTB race and despite tired legs I was soon in a great battle with Hisky, when midway round lap 2 we came across Nic, walking her bike towards us with weird expression on face. Kindly yelling she was ok so as to not concern me, I figured she'd busted the bike, and recommenced battle with Hisk.

In good signs for Maui, I was able to ride away on the last lap for a 'comfy' win, followed by a good run. Not fantastic, but very positive signs for Maui. So for me. All good. Mission accomplished. For Nic.... what was hoped was just a very sore shoulder now looks like 4-6 weeks healing. Frustrated is one word to describe her mood. I'm sure you can all think of many others....

Hisky's Speech.... "It was great to have a yarn with Cabin. Plenty of talk lap 1. Not so much lap 2. And none on lap 3." Kind of summed up the race and effort really!

The man

Just got to give "mad props" to my teenage dirtbike riding partner in crime (thats many yaesr ago now....!), and his latest exploits.

Paul "The Axeman" Whibley, who this morning took his 3rd win of the 2008 American GNCC Championship. All but cementing 2nd in the Championship. Now a factory pro for the FMF Suzuki team. Great example of hard work and perseverance. His road to the top hasn't exactly been short, or easy. I couldn't be more stoked for him.

And how fun does that pic look? Dirtbikes in the mud. Nothing better!

Whoa, check it out....

Amazing. We got some prop's finally from the local media! (Thats a bit harsh as they do publish a story now and then). But this appeared tonight in the Sports Editor's weekly editorial... Nice to get that sort of credit in a paper usually chock full of rugby 'news'. Maybe our under performing professional rugby team is finally starting to wear thin on a few people?

 Oh yeah, and the Whaka 100km? Yip, it was tough. Yip, we went fast, and no, I didn't win. And no, I don't think I've recovered yet. Race was a big step up from last year. A bunch of us drove a pretty brutal pace that not only obliterated the field (including us), but the race record by 20mins+

 Once again my good friend and arch rival Scott Thorne got me. Scott has amazing endurance. He won an age-group ironman world title so thats no surprise. The problem is he now has some pretty mad bike handling skills to go with it. National XC Champion Stu Houltham was 3rd a few minutes after me.

 Nic had a great ride in the 50km. Battling hard to get the better of Monique Avery. Only to have her race messed up by a few non-racers who decided to ride with the girls and 'assist' them. WTF? Why do guys think girls need help in a bike race. They (Nic and Monique) are both bloody strong athletes. Leave them alone. 

Anyway, long story short Nic had established a solid lead late in the race when the guys went down a bit of track that wasn't on the course and she followed. She crossed the line first but realised the mistake and DQ'd herself. So she's a bit pissed about it. The easy 30min run off the bike ended up being a bit quicker than prescribed me thinks?! Nevermind, she's looking strong for Maui!