The racing format we now know as Xterra, started
on the island of Maui in 1996. It began as a duel of the fittest, largely
between mountain bikers and triathletes, but it has gone on to attract a
variety of outdoor enthusiasts since. Although it had very humble beginnings,
Xterra is now a global brand, and the fastest-growing multisport event in the
world. The Xterra points series consists of more than 70 races in the US.
Further afield, the Xterra World Tour holds championship events in Saipan, New
Zealand, South Africa, the Czech Republic, Italy, Brazil, Japan, Germany,
France, and Switzerland. The top ranking athletes from each of the national
championship events are invited to compete at the Xterra World Championship
each October in Kapalua, Maui. For me,
this meant racing alongside over 800 other athletes, with 9 women in my 20-24
age group.
I arrived on Maui at around midday on Tuesday the 22nd October along with my trusty support crew – Mum, Dad and my sister Jemma. We hired a car, and headed north east around the island to our accommodation in Kahana; around 10mins drive from race HQ. I was fortunate enough to get in touch with a few of kiwi’s who were competing; largely through friends of friends. Two of whom were Nick and Judy Kensington. Possibly the loveliest people you could ever hope to meet. They had spent a year living in Maui, after competing in the World Champs the year before. Nick and Judy were awesome, and kind of ‘took me under their wing’ for the last few days leading up to the race. I was able to go over the swim course with them a few times, as well as the bike and run course. I biked the MTB course on Wednesday with Judy and although it was soon clear that the course was fairly tough, and it turned out to be longer than previous years; but we just cruised around and had an awesome afternoon. It turned out that biking the course on Wednesday was a wise decision, as the heat only worsened over the next couple of days, and being such a long, tough course, my tapering would not have been as effective if I had tackled it a day or two later.
The race started at 9am, after a quick
blessing from a local chief and the American national anthem. The pro’s started
us off, bang on 9am. Two minutes later it was the men and after a further two
minutes I found myself sprinting into the water with the women’s field. I was
pretty happy with my swim, and I came out of the water first in my age group; still
feeling pretty fresh. The conditions were the calmest they had been all week
with next to no surf!
The 32 km mountain bike started off awesome
also. The first few miles were mostly uphill with plenty of meandering corners
and sandy patches; making for a slow but interesting first few miles. The
course was also pretty congested with competitors, adding to the challenge. I
held a pretty consistent place amongst the bikers around me in the first few
miles and was happy with how I was going. After reaching the highest point of
the race, we began the first major descent. All was going well until we hit a
steep section of single track that had a fair few tight corners and sandy
patches. It was here that things got a wee bit nasty for a few of us!! I seemed
to be in a relatively big group of riders at the time which I found tricky (I definitely
need more practise riding in bunches). At one point during a downhill section
my handle bars clipped a tree and the next thing I knew I was down a bank with
my bike on top of me. No major injuries though so climbed back up, checked my
chain and gears, and jumped back on… only to fall straight back off and down
the bank... again. I hadn’t even notice that my seat had been twisted 90
degrees in the first fall, so when I went to get back on my butt slipped
straight back off again, duuuhhh!!
I was still all in one piece though
(mostly), and my bike was still in order other than the fact that my handle
bars had been turned so far that they had been forced over the top tube. I have
since deduced that this came about when the handle bar jabbed me in the ribs. After
a few seconds of pulling and a bit of swearing under my breath; I managed to
correct them. And this time I was careful to straighten my seat! After having a
wee giggle to myself about my ‘muppet’ moment I was back on the bike. I had
lost a bit of time with this incident though and was now a bit sore. I was also
now missing my drink bottle, and a couple of GU’s which had become dislodged
during the tumbles.
 |
| Why it pays to stay on your bike... |
Unfortunately, that wasn’t the last of the
blonde moments (perhaps I should try dyeing my hair another colour). After
reaching an aid station and getting another Gatorade bottle into my bottle
cage, I was hot and thirsty and desperately wanted a cold drink... but I should
have waited for a more convenient time. Riding downhill with one hand on the handle
bars and one hand holding a bottle is not a smart move; over handle bars again,
and this time onto stones. Rats!
My trusty bike and I were still all good
though so I didn’t lose too much time. The biggest knock I got this time was a
knock to my confidence. Knowing that I still had over an hour to go on the
bike, and then 10ks of trail running, meant that I was now just keen to get
through without any more major falls. Stepping back my speed on the downhill
meant that I was able to get through more or less unscathed (only one minor
fall when I hit a deep patch of sand). And after some more climbing, meandering,
and a few downhill sections, I was back to T2, and was in third place in my
division.
Because I had backed off a bit of the last
section of the ride, my legs still felt pretty fresh. I loved the run, and
managed to make up some of the time I lost on the bike. There were a lot of
people really struggling with the intense heat on the run
so I was able to pass a fair few (although mainly men). Although we had tattoos
on our calves illustrating out division, it was really hard to see them by this
stage of the race and I was unsure about where I was placed in the field. Overall
the run was incredibly hot, but relatively uneventful. Seeing the finish line
in any race is the best feeling ever , but on a scorching day like today, in
the company of such fantastic athletes and with my family watching on from the
side of the finishing chute, it was extra special. I was incredibly stoked to
gain 2nd place in the 20-24 age group, and also the 3rd
fastest under 25 finisher. Not only had I completed the race and absolutely
loved it, I had achieved my goal of finishing in the top 3 in the world, in my
age group. Stoked.
I just want to thank everyone who helped me
get there and make it all happen. Thanks to my sponsors; Lysaght consultants,
Cycle Obsession, Smiths Sport Shoes, and Ocean Blue Gym for your support. Also,
thanks to the entire North Harbour Triathlon Club, and in particular those who
I have been training with a lot. The North Harbour Squad has been an awesome
and very welcoming club to be a part of since moving to Auckland earlier this
year, and I have met the most amazing, inspirational and hardworking people.
Also thanks to those back at home in the BOP, including my awesome team mate ‘Crazy’
Craig Jones, Steve Lake, and many others who have helped me out with trainings,
advice and encouragement; it has all meant a lot. I would also like to make
mention of the Hoare family (family friends of ours from Te Puke) who adjusted
their travel plans to come over to Maui and cheer me on. Thanks guys!
I hope to have a further post up in the next few days, just looking back at the journey to Xterra. But for now, you can find more photos and information here:
https://www.facebook.com/Hannah.Wells.Triathlete
congrats Hannah! Awesome work! bring on the commonwealth and Olympics!
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