Xterra West race results

2:41:59
1st overall amateur (2nd year in a row)
16th overall with 25 pros on the start line
Took over 7 minutes off of my time from last year

Race Report and pictures to follow shortly

Back from Florida and now it is GO TIME!

Florida was great. We sat by the pool and beach and tried to relax as much as possible.
Now that we are back it is time to head down to Temecula for the first race of the Xterra National Series. I am really excited about the race and look forward to really testing myself. It is going to be brutally hot down there, which can change the dynamic of the race. It should be interesting. Check back on monday and I will have a race report for you.
Until then, Have fun out there!

Skinfit photoshoot in S.F.

We got some pretty cool pictures...thought I would share.
The pictures were taken by Robert H Photography...he did a great job! Check out his website!

My life for the next couple weeks

Wildflower was a blast this past weekend but it feels good to be back home. Not that home isn't crazy busy right now but I love sleeping in my own bed and being with Jess and Sophie!
I am starting my second build week today before I move into a recovery week. I have some hard training planned between my work obligations, which are numerous this week. During this week I will be very specific in my training. I don't have much free time so I will focus on short and intense training, which is fine given the time of year. This is the time when rest is key. Training and life stress will take a toll and I have to listen to my body. I always talk about balance and looking at the bigger picture with your training so this week will be a good test of my mental and physical resolve.
The good thing is that starting next week I will be in west palm beach sitting poolside with nothing but relaxation on the schedule. Jess and I are heading out for an awards trip I won so we are "crashing" at the Ritz Carlton for 3 days on the company bill...oh, the good life! Then we get back and head out to Temecula for the Xterra West Championships May 18th. Can't wait to start with the BIG races of the year to see where I am in terms of fitness.
So, have a good week everyone and I will be in touch!

Oh, I got my new racesuit for the year and it is sweet! Keep an eye out for a all green skinfit flash on raceday =) No pictures yet...it's top secret ;)

Wildflower

Hey everyone!
Just a heads up that I will be at Wildflower all weekend so if you are going to be there stop by and say hi!
I will likely be at the Avia and K-man Cyclery booth sporting Skinfit of course!!!!
My plan is to get in some great training and to help out those that have helped me along the way.
I won't be racing so if anyone needs a hand let me know and I will do all that I can.
Hopefully I will see some of you out there!

Oh, on a training front I feel sooooo good! I feel fresh and I am crushing my hard workouts! Can't wait for Temecula...Xterra here I come!

Oh, how good it feels when hard workouts seem easy...

Today my rest week ended and I did my first hard session of my 2 week build phase. After a week of rest my body absorbed all of the hard training from previous weeks and I was feeling so fresh and ready to really get after it.
My hard ride and run combo seemed easy...I did a 3:30 group ride and immediately went into my 4.5 mile hilly transition run course. During the ride, I felt strong and powerful on the climbs, flats, sprints, everything. It feels so good to be finding my cycling legs. They have been absent the last couple years and I think this year I am coming closer to the form I had when I was just racing my bike. Several more weeks of hard training along with plenty of rest and I think I will be fully equiped to post some solid results.
The run was smooth and I felt like my breathing and form were all in check.
I missed Xterra Arizona today and I am bummed about that but I know missing this race is going to make me even more fired up to race Temecula May 18th. The goal is to toe the line hungry to race and I know this will be the case for me.
Alright, time for some recovery and then come monday it's on!!!!
Have a good one!

Change of plans...

Unfortunately, I will be missing the Arizona Xterra race this weekend. I just have too much going on and it will only lead to a ton of stress if I try to make it out there. I am really bummed b/c I love hanging out with the crew out there and I would love to test my fitness. Oh well, you have to be flexible with things and I know this is the right decision.
My rest week is coming along nicely. I am starting to feel refreshed. I was pretty beat down after the races at Sea Otter and a hard couple weeks of training so it took me a few days to get back to normal and I am still recovering. Once again, I am reminded how important it is to listen to your body!
After this week I am back at it with some very hard training as I ramp up for the first big race of the year...Xterra West Champs in Temecula.
Have a great rest of the week and weekend! Thanks for reading!