XTERRA Breakthrough
Yesterday I had probably the race of my life (thus far) to grab 2nd overall at the XTERRA NZ Champonship. Just 20sec behind ITU phenom Torrenzo Bozzone. Making the day even better, my partner Nic grabbed 3rd in her pro debut (in only her 2nd XTERRA). A more detailed story later, but for now....
I gave it my all, left nothing to chance, and in the end was trumped only by a truely class athlete so I can't be dissapointed. After solid Swim and MTB legs I headed onto the final 11km trail run 2min20 down in 3rd, with Torrenzo just over a minute behind me.
I proceeded to produce the best run of my life, grabbing the lead at 5.5km, before Torrenzo came past at 6km. At the urgings of my supporters I held tough , and actually retook the lead with 3km left. However one last attack from Torrenzo with just over 2km remaining was one too many. The gap stabilised at 20 sec and I held that till the end.
I'm excited to have finally put together an overall performance. In XTERRA you really need at least two strings to your bow. Until now, I've probably had 1 and a half at best (A good MTB, and OK run). But now I've developed my run to the point it is a strength. Case in point, my run yesterday was 9min faster than my 2006 NZ XTERRA effort. Turning myself into a runner just might be the sporting achievement I am most proud of.
I can't wait to see what future XTERRA's hold for me.
I gave it my all, left nothing to chance, and in the end was trumped only by a truely class athlete so I can't be dissapointed. After solid Swim and MTB legs I headed onto the final 11km trail run 2min20 down in 3rd, with Torrenzo just over a minute behind me.
I proceeded to produce the best run of my life, grabbing the lead at 5.5km, before Torrenzo came past at 6km. At the urgings of my supporters I held tough , and actually retook the lead with 3km left. However one last attack from Torrenzo with just over 2km remaining was one too many. The gap stabilised at 20 sec and I held that till the end.
I'm excited to have finally put together an overall performance. In XTERRA you really need at least two strings to your bow. Until now, I've probably had 1 and a half at best (A good MTB, and OK run). But now I've developed my run to the point it is a strength. Case in point, my run yesterday was 9min faster than my 2006 NZ XTERRA effort. Turning myself into a runner just might be the sporting achievement I am most proud of.
I can't wait to see what future XTERRA's hold for me.
