Shifting from one event to another: Here I'm exiting the water while ripping off my suit, ready for the bike
Currently I'm going through another kind of transition, one of...
Road -to- Trail
The Xterra events have really caught my attention and given me a new focus for the remainder of this year. Next weekend I will be competing in the UK version at Coniston/Grisdale in the Lake district. Although not an official World Series Xterra event, it will be run under the same rules and over the same distances: 1500m lake swim/30km mountain bike/10km trail run. With the bike taking in the NorthFace trail in Grisdale forest and the run going up/down the 3000ft OldMan mountain, its sure to be the test event I need before next months Xterra Germany.
The transition is going very well. Ive increased my swim sessions up to 5per week, 3pool based and 2 in open water. Originally coming into multi-sport from a mountain bike racing background. Ive always ridden trails during off season for strength and fun with the guys during weekends. So to be now using over 18years of mountain bike experience coupled with my current fitness levels, is a very exciting time indeed.
At the beginning of last year I had surgery on my left Achilles tendon, since then my running style has altered quite alot and Ive found off road running is suiting me alot more these days. Last November I won a local 26mile trail race in 3.06, something I don't think I may have been able to replicate on the road. This weeks switch to full-on trail running has felt good and Ive not suffered the ankle soreness during recovery as I would have during the last few months of road mileage.
Its still early days to truly say how Xterra will pan out, but the signs are all good and it feels so right, just need to put it all into practice next weekend and tick the final few boxes!
