Xterra World Championship Race Report

I arrived in Maui on Tuesday, allowing plenty of time to get acquainted to the ocean, the course and the heat and humidity before Sunday's race.  Within an hour of picking up my friend Mathieu Signoretty at the airport we were in our bathing suits and in the ocean.  It was incredible to dive into the aqua blue water and be refreshed rather than shocked by its cold.  I could get used to this.  October 18th, and I was in a bikini, and about to get a really good tan!

Kanaha Beach Park. An hour after landing in Maui

We stayed in Kihei, which was about an hour  south of Kapalua, where the race would be held.  We had intended to only go to the race site a couple of times that week to check out the course, but we ended up spending time there every day.  Locals kept reminding us about the big swell due to come in over the weekend, so we thought it a good idea to practice our swim there.  Plus, the beach was beautiful, offered a bit of shade when I needed it, and the energy was good.  Day by day, the excitement grew as more and more racers from around the world arrived.  Kapalua was also where we were able to check in with our friends Hannah Rae Finchamp, Taylor Seavey and John Klish.  These three, plus Mat and I got to know each other really well at Nationals the month before, bonded and now feel quite a bit like family. Unfortunately we were all staying in different towns in Maui, but we made a point to meet so we could practice our swim starts and beach runs and discuss race strategies.  As the week progressed, so did our excitement.

I did not really sleep so well all week.  I'm not sure if it had to do with the heat, the time change or my racing mind, but I don't think I was able to get more than 5 or six hours of sleep any night that week.

We pre-rode the entire course on Wednesday and was pretty surprised at how intense the heat and humidity was.  Right away, the air felt thick and sticky and I dripped sweat.  We stopped quite a bit to take in the amazing views which was a good thing because I hit my wall at about mile 12 and had to eat a gel to get me back to the beach.  And this was only my pre-ride.............  A swim in the ocean snapped me back into shape though, and I was feeling really positive about the race day swim.  The water was so pleasant, how could anything go wrong??

The bike course went right through a pineapple plantation

Thursday Mat and I started with a good swim in the ocean, then ran the course at about noon.  We kept hearing horrible things from other racers about the run, like how it was so difficult with a lot of really steep climbs.  An Italian racer parked next to us told us that mile three was straight up, and as he was telling us this his face was all a grimace.  Although he was correct about mile three being straight up, the rest of the run course was enjoyable with lots of twisting and turning through beautiful trees and grasses.  Although we were pretty wiped when we finished, both Mat and I decided that we were going to have fun with that run on race day.  It ends with a great downhill then a 500 meter beach run. 

I swam everyday, both for my race prep and also just for fun.  The water was amazing, and although the ocean did seem to be getting rougher as the week went on, the fact that it was clear and warm kept it so pleasant.  I was really feeling good about the swim............ until I practiced getting in and out of the surf.   Timing of the currents and the waves would be critical in being able to get in and out without wasting too much energy and my timing was as off as it could be.  A bit frustrated, I repeated the race day sequence over and over. Race day  I would be doing two 750 meter laps with a 50 meter beach run in between, and this was a brand new scenario for me.  Luckily, we had many laughs as we all performed clumsy attempts at getting in and out of the water...........either falling flat on our faces or getting sucked back out to sea.

Race morning I woke up after having the best nights sleep all week.  This was going to be a good day. I brought with me from home Bob's Red Mill Muesli for my race day breakfast of champions.  I had no problem eating, but once I did my stomach turned at tightened.  The nerves were really coming on and I felt my jaw tighten.  We left the condo at about 6am and headed North to Kapalua.  The morning bright and breezy as the sun was just about to rise.  The ocean looked calm and we wondered about that big swell that we all had been waiting for.  It  did not look like we were getting the crazy ocean conditions that everyone had been predicting, phew!

We arrived at the Beach at 7, just in time to set up transition.  I was happy with my spot, as I was at the end of a row making it easy to find my things. I stood in line to be marked and time seemed like it was flying by.  It was almost 8:00, an hour till race time!  The heat was intense, and at 8 in the morning I already felt my skin sizzle. I hopped on my bike and went for a 10 minute warm up with a couple high intensity minutes.  My legs feel good!  I went for a quick warm up run and stretched my legs for about 10 minutes. I made sure I had everything set up in transition, all of my gels and plenty of water and electrolytes.  It was time to head down to the beach.  The water was calm, and felt great, and the energy was through the roof.  Loud rhythmic music was being played and the spectators were chanting with excitement. 

 I was happy I had brought 2 pairs of goggles to the beach with me because the ones I had planned to wear were leaking!    On the way back to the shore from my warm-up out and back,  I swam smack into someone heading out. I was hit pretty hard, and had to kind of check my head/ neck to make sure I was o.k.  I knew then, that this was only the beginning of my being thrashed around in the swim.

I was able to find my friends John Klish, Taylor Seavey and Mat before the start for a quick photo.  They all looked great, ready to rock it!  We exchanged our good lucks and I found my spot on the far left side of the rest of the field.  The five minutes before the cannon blew seemed like forever.  I grooved to the good music being played over the speakers , and the dancing helped bring down my nerves.

Boom!  We were off!  I jumped in, probably 4 rows back and started swimming right away.  I found it difficult to get into a rhythm, and my breathing was erratic.  I didn't get knocked around too much, and it seemed like we all had a decent amount of space between us. That was until I got to the first buoy.  I entered the buoy on the nearest left side and was pushed into the buoy by what seemed to be hundreds of swimmers coming from the right.  I could not swim though, it was a standstill. I brought my head up to the surface and tried to tread water and get myself out of there.  The lifeguard stationed at the buoy was saying things like "everyone stay calm", "everything is o.k.", "keep moving", "stay calm people"  Hearing her words, I looked around at the other swimmers.  People were really freaking out, and I was being pushed under as people were trying to push off of me to get past.  We were packed around this one buoy and it seemed like forever until I could get myself out of there.  I tried to draft off of people, but had a really difficult time finding someone and sticking with them.  I rounded the next buoy without issue and headed for the beach.  This 350 meters felt really hard to me, and coming out of the water it took a lot of energy to convince my legs to run in the sand.  Back in for lap two, and I just kept telling myself that I was half-way there.  Just one more lap to go, get into my rhythm and swim.  Well I got into my rhythm all right, a little too much so.  About half way to what I thought was buoy one, I see a shadow coming towards me.  I bring my head up only to see a jet ski alerting me that I was off course.  What I thought was buoy one, was actually buoy two.  Head down, all I could do was start swimming in the right direction.  I was really bummed, but have found myself in this position many times before.  I did not have any more time to waste worrying about my mistake, just get the swim over with.

I finally got out of the water and made my way to transition.  My mom was cheering me on from the side and I remember feeling bummed that my swim took so long.  I could not even make eye contact or communicate with her in any way.   I had to get on that bike and catch up.   As I left transition, I heard the announcer say "great job everyone, your at minute 38".  Geez, that's bad.  I jumped on my bike and never again looked back at that swim.

The first mile was on pavement where I ate a gel, one S-cap and took a big drink.  My mouth and lips were so salty, and felt dry.  I was riding at a good comfortable pace until I hit the single track when groups of  riders were stalled  around the tight corners and short steep climbs.  I tried to stay calm knowing that things would open up a bit as soon as we got through these tight sections.  Unfortunately, some of the other racers were not as calm, coming into the corners where a line of 10 deep were walking, yelling crazy things and wanting to pass.  We were all in the same position, and I'm sure everyone else was wishing they too were riding rather than pushing their bike.  The biggest disadvantage of getting out of the water so late is having so many people on the bike in front of me.  I must figure this one out! 

As soon as we hit the first climb things spread out a bit.  I felt good, made sure to drink a lot of water and ate a gel every half an hour.  I was surprised that at mile 10, I had completely drained my Veleau hydration system.  42 ounces in 10 miles, it was hot!  My initial panic left me when I remembered that a bottle exchange point was near, and I think it was at mile 12 that I picked up a fresh bottle. The course felt familiar, and I tried to stay comfortable but also push it where I could.  At times the dust was so thick I could not see 5 ft in front of me.    All I could do was hold on, and hope that I get through it before I either crash into someone in front of me or have someone else crash into me from behind.  There was injury and bike mechanicals everywhere and I could see evidence of crashes on the other racers suits.  I found myself rounding the final corner onto the pavement free of any problems at all on the bike and I felt elated!  I knew there were 2 women in my category within seconds of me, and I felt energized that I could catch them on the run. I rode the pavement hard back to transition making a lot of noise with my signature yelp through the tunnel.  Phase 2 was about done! I emptied the water bottle before entering transition. 58oz of water, and 4 gels on the bike.

Back in transition, I hear my mom cheering me on with her encouraging words.   I give her the thumbs up telling her I had a blast on the ride.  I remember fumbling around a bit with my things, and had a difficult time getting my gloves off.  Finally, I got my shoes on, grabbed my bottle of Heed, a gel, 1 S-cap, and ran off with my visor in hand.  I had way to many things going on there for a while, and my visor was fitting really loose on my head.  I tried unsuccessfully to tighten it up,but decided not to worry too much about it until after I fueled up and freed my hands.  I was able to hand my bottle to an official at the trail-head and fixed my visor which by this point was covering my eyes.  o.k,now I am ready to run.

It was hot.  Really hot, and my legs and body felt pretty fatigued.  I talked nicely to myself and asked my legs to just keep moving forward. I knew I was not running as fast as I had wanted to, but I tried to stay calm and patient knowing that it was going to be a long, hot run.  I let my body get used to running, and eventually found myself in a good rhythm.  I played cat and mouse with a man who I think is from Spain, but in my attempt at speaking Spanish with him realize that he is not.  We continue on and resort to using our hands to communicate about our need for water and while negotiating which one of us should be in front.  Communicating with the other racers from so many countries added a fun challenge to this race.  It was such an incredible experience. I stopped at every 5 aid stations during the run, poured one cup of ice cold water over my head and tried to drink at least 1/2 a cup.  I ate one gel maybe at mile 4.   I finally was able to pick up the pace on the final decent.  Until then, I felt like there was a fine line between pushing the pace and blowing up.  I was seeing signs of heat exhaustion all around me, and I wanted to make sure that I finished this race.  I hit the sand ready to pick up the pace, but my feet had a  difficult time gripping the sand. About half-way down the beach I stopped and pulled my shoes off.  Much better, I was flying!  I came out of the beach and  went right into the long grass climb heading into the finish chute. I was almost there.  As I pushed myself up that last grass climb I hear a voice saying "way to go Mel, your almost there!"  It was my friend Joel Armstrong, and his encouragement fueled me.  I looked at the clock, 3:27.............. making my goal of finishing in under 3:30.  I was so relieved and happy to cross that finish line without injury or bike trouble.

carrying my sand covered shoes across the finish

Talking with my competitors after the race was a blast.  The energy was explosive as we exchanged recounts of the race and  offered our congratulations.

I look forward to another year racing Xterra, and hope to race in Maui again.  Although happy with my result, I look forward to the work needed to improve my race performance next year.

I appreciate so much the incredible support offered by my family and friends this year, especially my amazing husband Trevor and my two boys Keller and Alleck.  I am one lucky woman!

Mat and I cooling off after the finish

Post-race beach time with Aunt Arlene and Mom