xterra indian peaks

XTERRA Indian Peaks: 8-1-09

I have to start this report by telling you of a sad passing of my friend’s dog, Cali. She died in her sleep earlier this week and was 3 years old. Ben Madden and his wife, Lindsay are very sad with her passing. I stayed with them the night before the race to give them some company.

My goal was to win this swim. It was a time trial start, and I was the 5^th and last pro to start. I passed everybody but one guy by the first or second buoy. I tried to get the last guy, but couldn’t, but I still knew I had the fastest split on the swim.

The bike was much more technical than Beaver Creek. It slowed everybody down, so that helped. I had such a big lead on most of the pros that it took some time for them to pass me. I wiped out once, but landed on my feet, and had a good time.

I hammered the run. It was a great course… extremely technical. I love trail running like this and I flew. I had less than a mile to go, and somehow took a wrong turn. The trial died out, and I was stuck in the trees with a slight clue as to where the finish was. I bushwhacked my way through the woods and found the swim start and eventually the finish. I wasn’t too happy with getting lost, but at least I had won the swim.

I think next year my mountain biking skills will improve enough for me to be much more competitive.