Xterra National Champs 2009

Team MORF didn't turn out in full force, but Vanessa and Mike toed the start line (aka boat ramp) and let it rip. This late in the season, the sun is not up yet for setup in transition and the temps are cold. Headlamps were must haves in your tri bag. The sun came up revealing a swim course in perfect water temps for a race, around 66F. The race would unfold on a flawless day with summer temperatures against the backdrop of fall colors. Watching from the sidelines due to school/work induced out-shape-ness, I watched Mike and then Vanessa hit the water along with a rabid pack of athletes racing like there was a prim for the first 50 racers to the first buoy. The only prim some got has a cold kick in the face, and in Luna Bar pro Danelle Kabush's case, 5/6th of the swim course minus her goggles. Karate Chop! Mike and then Vanessa came out of the swim in quick succession, high up in their age group rankings.

After exiting Pineview reservoir, the climb was steady, the kind of steady that sees you climb 3500 ft. before descending into T2. The bike course was defined by a quick 2 mile fire road filled with loose rock, before funneling down to sweet uphill singletrack. Mike came into T2 and I thought he had to be right up with the leaders. Vanessa followed in the front group of women, apparently the 25 to 29 year olds were faster than the women in their 30's this year...crazy. Both Vanessa and Mike were in the most competitive age groups, and both were in contention the whole time.

If you've raced Ogden, you know the run course is straight up, flat, and then straight down. Well, apparently, they added some elevation in the middle this time, in order to get the run to a 10k. More climbing...ouch. By the time the athletes hit the run, temps on the cloudless day had to be pushing 85, which felt unseasonably warm having come from CO where we had snow the last day of summer. Watching the athletes come down into the finish, I didn't envy the downhill sprint, but by this time of the year, everyone (except me) was in prime shape, and finished in fine form. Mike and Vanessa finished strong for 5th and 6th place finishes against a tough field. Nice job to all the MORFers that busted out this year, we had some great races!!!