Mike Vine Reports from Crested Butte Xterra

thought i'd send an update on my Colorado trip which kicked off this weekend with an XTerra regional in Crested Butte.
this event was spectacular, couldn't ask for more - perf sunny weather and venue, well organized. Most were saying it's their favorite xterra... even though it was such a toughie.
For myself, departing from my home in Victoria BC at sea level on thursday morning and driving 24 solid hrs in a vehicle with no a/c added to the challenge.
temps are high at this time of the year, topping 100F through idaho, utah, and much of Colo.
The CB event is a perfect tuneup for the upcoming Keystone Pro Tour stop, with a 1 k swim at 9100' and technical and hilly 24 km ride topping out at 10000'+ followed by a 9 km run which included a hefty ascent as well.
A number of colorado's finest pros were on hand including last year's champ ( and keystone champ ) Josiah Middaugh. With 5 K prize $ on the line there would be no holding back .
Warming up on the course i felt surprisingly spry, hardly breathing any harder... which carried over to raceday and whaddya know , i had the perfect day - eased in offf the start- the swim is extremely tough at 9000'+ - and opened it up once on the ride and run.
on the bike i found i was climbing well and kept it smooth on the descents. at T2 i had expanded my lead slightly on josiah but only had a mere 1 minute on likely the best runner in xterra at altitude...
figured i was a goner. but the stride was there the lungs were holding and to my surprise i was still ahead after the big climb. From here i could smell the big dollars and i held it with a 35 sec gap at the finish. Yeehaw! a welcome turn of events after a severe clobbering only 7 days earlier in milwaukee...
sometimes you never can tell. Now i'm eagerly anticipating the upcoming Keystone venue - i have 2 weeks now on location at 9300' to acclimate properly and prepare... maybe even show em who set that course record in 01 that just happens to be still standing.
for now,
Mike
mikevine.athletesjournal.com