Mike Vine's XTERRA Road Trip

Hello all,
thought I'd send a report on my latest road trip, a triple header with XTerra events in WA, CO, and the Mountain Championship in UT. Three races in 13 days which was welcome after 7 weeks without an XTerra. With 2 wins and a close 2nd the racing was a total success... think I'm back in the game!!!

First up was a new venue called XTerra Black Diamond located near Seattle. For me this was a low key tuneup race, which I always enjoy. The Pac NW needs a quality XTerra and this one is it with superb venue and ideal course with some of the twistiest mtb trails of anywhere. Best part was the organization was top notch with full community support. What a treat to finally race on some rooty and slick trails in the Pac NW. I had one decent wipeout which wedged my shin bone hard however it hardly slowed me down and I finished in 2 hrs flat, 9 minutes ahead of 2nd place... not bad with a field of 175 racers.

6 days later we were in Vail racing against the Colorado guys on their home turf at the Beaver Creek Resort XTerra. This one had a decent payout, almost as much as a USA Pro Tour event so there would be no holding back, even with the big Mtn Champs race looming 1 week later. With course designed by AR and MTB World cup champ Mike Kloser it was sure to be tough, and it was - there was 4000+' net vertical with racing at elevations from 7500' up to 9300'. Oddly I always race at my best up high, even coming from sea level. I had a great race and won. Swam my best swim of the year and fastest bike split landed me into T2 with a big enough lead to hold over the upstart Branden Rakita and the local favorite, turbo-runner Josiah Middaugh who also happens to be winner of the last US Pro Tour event in Richmond. Although... I could have been fortunate that Josiah was feeling a recent 5-day Adventure race in France.

Ann and I spent the next week in nearby Keytsone CO staying at 9300' which was fine for acclimating however trying to recover at that elevation i wasn't doing a whole lot of exercise! We should have gone to Utah sooner however staying in Summit County and riding there at the bike park for the first time in 3 years - the site of the original Mtn Championship course - was a trip down memory lane and a total blast.

So we drove to Utah on Thursday and reconned the Mtn Championship course at Snowbasin( site of the 2002 Olympics dh ski ) on Friday. While riding, Ann was stung by a hornet on the lip which became scary when her face swelled up. we're talking mutated space alien here... Hee Hee!!!
luckily not anaphylactic, just really bad swelling however she went to the hospital for a shot to be sure.

In the race Saturday I was snailbait off the swim start and figured I'd blown it coming out 2 min down on the three leaders( the last week in Vail i swam in right behind Branden Rakita, one of this week's 3 leaders ). However Conrad Stoltz, the reigning world champ and race favorite, came out only a minute ahead and even better on the early stages of the climb i could see I was gaining. I lost some ground on the middle section with a 5 min descent I hadn't pre-ridden, then continued past Seth and Branden and caught up to Conrad by the lodge at 6400'. He dug in and battled hard and we exchanged the lead several times going over the top, which was at about 7200'. Heading into the descent Conrad went ahead. Here i was thinking I would take it... it was just a matter of keeping Conrad in range until T2 then outrunning him. Little did I know. Conrad had that descent nailed( only ~800' drop to T2 but lots of pedalling and blind corners ) and surprised me with nearly a minute lead by T2. Over a short 30 min run that would be tough to catch him. So I nearly ran him down but not quite... i was 10 seconds behind at the finish. The results are actually inaccurate saying I finished 31 sec behind... the gap was 10 seconds and there is the picture to prove it. i finished in 2:21:41(not 2:22:03 like the results say!), exactly 10 sec behind. I was going to leave it and not be a weenie about it but since I found the picture I decided the results will have to be corrected.

Note this was a high profile event with 30 min tv episode which will be nationally syndicated in 2009 as part of the XTerra Adventure Series.

The big races are coming up now... USA Champs in Tahoe Oct 5 is next. A near identical course to Utah with altitude and elevation profile.

Many thanks to my sponsors... they're the best.
Intense cycles, Fox Racing Shox, Mizuno Footwear, Michelin rubber, Maui Coupon magazine, blue Seventy, Vega.

and our homestays on this trip... we stayed with great people in every town.
Matt and Kathy Morrisson in Black diamond!
Dan and Carmen Weiland in CO!
good to see Dave Clymo in Keystone after 3 years!
Rachel and Andy Waters and family in Ogden Utah!

Andrew Marsh's Race Report

XTERRA Point Series Director, Andrew Marsh, (riding to the right of RD Toby Mollett in this picture) made his way out from North Carolina to help out with XBD. Not sure if he was worried about us rookies or just wanted to get back to God's country, but we're glad he was here. He works hard!

Here are a few excerpts from his race report that you can find at http://www.xterraplanet.com/news/dsp_content.cfm?id=2276.

Check out xterraplanet for a WEALTH of XTERRA info, other great stories, and how our local athletes are doing in the points series

"How awesome was the 1st Annual XTERRA Black Diamond off-road triathlon?
For the first two answers you'll have to ask one of the truly fortunate that came out to Sawyer Lake Park to experience this race. As the 3rd question - one answer = totally!!! A stunning setting - beautiful lake - jamm'n bike - ripp'n run - and great post-race food and fun pushed this inaugural event high on to the "Don't miss this race!" list."

"With some authority it can be said that this Bike course is like no other. Epic? No - not really. It's not Tahoe's Fume Trail. Fast? No - not really. It's not quick/open like AZXTR. Scenic? While certainly pretty - no - it's not Crested Butte. What do you call 15 miles of roots, rocks, bumps, jumps, logs, bogs, short ups, quick downs, screaming straights, and a mandatory calf-deep creek crossing? The two loop format gave riders the opportunity to test their oxygen depleted memories and/or take a new line over the roots they wiped out on the first time. Technical? Yeah - but it's not over the top crazy. Fun? Depends who you ask!?! This 100% off-road, 95% single track course was a momentum killing ride that worked you over and was totally doable at the same time. We'll just simply call it ear-to-ear grin, Grade A, 210% XTERRA!!!"

XBD Impressions by Mike Vine & Keri Grosse

We asked for quotes from Mike and Keri - our male and female overall winners - about their race experience at XBD.....and because the quotes are so smashing, we are exploiting them on the blog. Maybe it will convince you to join us next year!!

Keri Grosse:

"The race was exactly as I imagined an Xterra triathlon would be - almost an adventure race with swimming in water lillys, island hopping in the fog, bike portaging through waist deep creeks and winding and sliding through a wet, mossy, rooty serpentine bike and run course. I was totally impressed with the perfectly placed volunteers and aid stations. The attention to detail was amazing with chip timing, tiki torches on Xterra island (not to mention a guest appearence by Wilson of Castaway fame). There was so much going on I forgot to gun it for the speed trap so obviously I will be back to try that. Overall I was amazed that this was the first presentation of this race as it was so well thought out. It was obvious that the race directors are athletes, have a sense of humor and take pride in their work. Thanks for the opportunity to ride in the best xterra experience I have had so far".

Mike Vine:

"XTerra BD was a great experience with its superb organization, pristine venue, and one of the most challenging mtb courses around. The people there were all friendly and enthusiastic too. I really enjoyed the mtb ride with some of the Pac Northwest's finest twistiest, tightest track... I didn't know a course could be so twisty!! Great to see a true mtb course that challenges even the most experienced riders. Actually I was hoping it wouldn't be as demanding as it was since I'm racing another XTerra in Vail only 6 days later!!!
See you next year,Mike"

Tara Brown's Epic Race Report

A short story, when compared to War and Peace, about my triathlon experience

When Alison asked on Saturday evening (8/2/08) if I wanted to do a triathlon the next morning instead of our scheduled 15 mile run, my initial reaction was “holy crap, are you kidding me?! I might drown!” But then in my mind I heard the words of a friend that I always have the option of responding to the unknown positively, too, and should try that more often. So I thought, “Okay, this will be a new experience, it’s just a workout, we’re not trying to qualify for an iron man…”

The tri was in Black Diamond and consisted of a 1 km swim, 15 mile bike ride, and 4.25 mile run. We figured it would be a nice, family, Seafair-wannabe triathlon for the people who live on Lake Sawyer. Swim a bit, bike the streets of Black Diamond, and run around the lake. Should be doable for even us measly marathon trainers.

After getting about 4.5 hours of sleep because we’d gone out dancing the night before, Alison and I arrived at registration just on time to enter the race. I started to write Alison as my emergency contact on my waiver, thought better of it, and wrote my mom’s name…then I realized, “wow, won’t she be surprised if she gets a call – she doesn’t even know I’m doing this!” (And she still doesn’t, as I write – I’m calling soon, Mom!) :) Technically they made the last call for registrations about 10 seconds before I completed my form. Dang them for breaking the rules and letting me in late.

Alison and I scanned the crowd of nearly 200 participants sporting full wet suits and XTERRA swim caps. We laughed at ourselves and hoped our spandex and sports bras would do for the swim. At least we had been given our own swim caps. About 30 minutes before the race, we realized what we’d gotten ourselves into. This was no typical, run-of-the-mill triathlon. XTERRA tris means mountain biking and trail running. WHAT?! I hadn’t ridden a real bike since I was 17, and NEVER on trails! I told Alison, “well, it’s okay if we get last because the last people in races always get cheered for the most!” As the start time neared, we began having second thoughts…and fourth and fifth…

Everyone lined up at the start line in the water. Alison and I hung out with the spectators until about five seconds before the race. We didn’t want to get cold waiting. The water turned out to feel absolutely fabulous. Therefore, I decided to stay in it longer than anyone else! Why ruin a good thing. I discovered in a few strokes that freestyle would NOT be my stroke of choice, and if I was going to make it 1 km, I’d need to conserve energy. Backstroke it was. My lack of speed allowed me time to make friends and conversation with the kayakers who made sure no swimmer was left behind. I told my new buddy, Chris, that “my name is Tara, but if I drown I’ll be an XTara.” Thank you Brown family genes… I decided to close my eyes, relax, and just stroke. When I looked up to check my course about a minute later, I was pointing almost back towards the start. Awesome. Apparently my left stroke is too strong. I hadn’t heard Chris because of my cap, so I had no idea I was swimming in circles.

When I made it to the small island that was the 0.5 km mark, Alison was waiting for me. There were tiki torches set up and some teenage volunteers dressed in grass skirts and coconut bras. “Are we having a luau?” I shouted as I swam up. “Are the Tuiasosopos there?” No, they weren’t. So we crossed the luau-themed patch of dirt and jumped right back in the water. I told Chris to stick close.

We were joined by another kayaking volunteer and a few lifeguards paddling on surfboards. I had quite an entourage, and we joked the whole way back, and I told them the story of how Alison and I had decided to enter about 12 hours prior. Chris and the other ‘yaker held up their oars in the direction of the finish so I could track better on my back. As I approached the shore I yelled, “Where’s my limo?” I had never looked so forward to running.

Alison and I crossed the first time check point and put on our shirts and helmets for the bike ride. We had no idea what we were getting into. As we left, the MC said, “Alison Gargle (haha, um, it’s GANGL) and Tara Brown are now starting their bike portion…they just decided last night to do this.” Word of our marathon training status and last-minute decision had spread. We were becoming rock stars.

We biked over a gravel road for about a quarter mile, when doom reared its nasty head in the form of the opening hill, which was nothing but tangled roots at an incline suitable for a decent water slide. As we got off our bikes to haul them up, the clearly-first-place-at-the-time (and maybe he DID win) contestant passed us and began hopping and climbing over the roots on his bike. It was amazing. He probably had a bit more experience than we. The bike portion was a 7.5 mile “loop” to be completed twice. We heard the average was about 45 minutes per loop, so we figured we’d probably do it in about twice that time, and finish biking in about 3 hours. After literally walking our bikes for the first 3 miles (we think), our spirits lagged. Isn’t biking supposed to be FASTER??? We could have run the trail faster. And in fact, we got passed by a competitor who had completed one loop and ditched his bike and was now running the second loop. We weighed this option, but didn’t want to get disqualified, and DEFINITELY wanted our t-shirt at the end of the race.

The trail was rocks and roots, hills and curves. We literally jumped into bushes with our bikes as we got passed by the top competitors. I was afraid we’d land in poison ivy. There was no room for passing on the trail. We even had to carry our bikes through water! About halfway through we were finally able to start riding somewhat consistently, still having to pull over for people to pass us. We got braver and gained more control with riding over rocks and roots. All with bikes borrowed from Alison’s parents’ neighbors! Neither of our bikes had shocks, and Alison’s had metal pedals of death. Her poor right calf. (Whoever said walking a bike isn’t dangerous never did this tri!) My bike was a bit too short for my legs, but it DID have fancy accessories like a carrying rack over the front tire. I heard later that other people found this quite hilarious; I hadn’t even noticed. Next time I’ll put a grocery bag full of snacks on there. (Did I just say NEXT TIME? No way).

When we finally finished our first loop it was such a relief. Now NO ONE would be passing us and we could go as we pleased. Certainly pulling over for people added about a half hour to our time, right? We were sure it would go quicker the second time around since we now had slightly higher than zero experience with riding the terrain. However, the first half of the loop turned out to be just as challenging and unrideable (yes I just made that up) for us. Sheesh. Just at the point where we could really get enough momentum to start riding again, the “sweeper” came up behind us. How lovely to have a trailing escort. We picked up a few other experienced volunteers along the way who followed us and provided words of encouragement as we flailed around tricky corners and moaned and groaned over every bump. On one stretch I was just motoring over rocks and the sweeper said, “Wow, you’re really tenacious” and I retorted: “Ignorance is bliss!” I had no idea WHAT I was being as we rode on that trail, other than ABSOLUTELY READY to be done with it.

We made it through with only a few hitches. Alison crashed sideways into some bushes after her foot and pedal hit a big rock and it jerked her to a stop. She sprained the top of her ankle but is such a fighter and continued to be the fearless leader that she is. I managed to bump into several trees throughout the day. Apparently they don’t disappear when you want them to (despite the fact that someone told us it was an ENCHANTED forest), and the more you concentrate on NOT hitting them, the more your handle bars miraculously aim in precisely their direction.

FINALLY we were off the trail and back to the time check point. We were greeted with enormous cheers and another announcement about how we’d just decided the night before to do this. Everyone else who had competed in the race appeared to have finished, showered, sung Kumbyah, and gotten a hair cut in the time it took us to finish the bike portion. Oh well. We still had the run! The anticipated highlight of the day! We had an escort because all of the volunteers had already left the trails. We cooked on the run, averaging about 9 minute miles for the 4.25 miles of up and down, rooted, muddy trails (plus two Gatorade stops, so really, we were faster).

As we kicked the last 100 meters to the finish, we were greeted by Gladiator-esque cheers. Kids handed us Gatorade. Photographers took our picture. The MC asked if we had any words. Alison said “Woo!” And if I had been thinking on my toes I would have said, “If only we’d done our 15 mile run like we were supposed to, we would have been done three hours ago!” Instead I could only come up with “our RUN was awesome.” That’s right folks, it took us a good 5 hours and 8 minutes to finish that bad boy. Throughout the race we had no sense of time or how much we had left, which was probably for the best. No expectations meant we’d keep going. (Plus, we had to get back somehow).

Anyway…long story…long…we FINISHED and had an amazing time challenging ourselves and laughing at how we could be such idiots for actually doing it. Oh, and while we came in last (Alison was 33rd and I was appropriately 34th out of the women), several competitors quit after the first loop of the bike ride. So we’re not the BIGGEST losers. :)

I’m so proud of us, Al.

Check that one off the bucket list!


Course website: http://xterrablackdiamond.com/index.html
Course map: http://xterrablackdiamond.com/XBD%20COURSE%20MAP.pdf
My photos: share.shutterfly.com/action/welcome?sid=8Abt2bZw4bNmH4
Photos from the race photog: http://conaghan.smugmug.com/gallery/5572737_EWyqx#341643672_UiCCP
We’re in: 130, 361, 362, 364, 367, 369-371, 383-390, 400, 402, 403, 732-743, 746,747, 881-883, 886, 895-900, 1827-1835, 2021-2024, 2137, 2138, 2145, 2302, 2303,