XTERRA Appalachia Sun, Aug 07, 2011 – Indiana, PA
Submitted by Ken Frankenbery

Went from extreme heat, to extreme rain.

Got to race site on Saturday, big storms had hit there and trails were pretty muddy. I brought 2 bikes, and decided I wanted to get in the ride time, so did a lap on bike course. It was a long muddy ride – but felt good to know what to expect Sunday.

Rained all night – and was off and on during race. The swim was longer than normal – one thing on Xterra’s- they may say 800 meter swim, but if guy taking markers out feels like it-He can set them short (last year it took me 15 minutes was not even 600 meters) – this year He went all the way to other side of lake – most likely closer to 1000+ meters, took me 21 minutes, and top guys did it in under 16.

My swim was miserable – I think I came out of the water in 30th place or so, hit the bike and rain started again. I was ready for a muddy ride, and started picking off people left and right. People were crashing, and having trouble with conditions. There is a river crossing, and with added rain, it had a strong current, so I was ready, got across clean ( you have to carry bike over your head, slippery rocks you can’t see with current makes it challenging- a guy fell 2 years ago and His bike got swept down stream!!) and ended up bike in 6th overall, with 5th place 40+ seconds in front of me .

Had a fantastic run, caught the guy in 5th, and as I blew past Him, heard Him curse (I assume He saw my age on my calf- and wasn’t happy having a old guy blow past Him) did the 4 miles in 26:36, which was 3rd fastest run of the day, ended up 5th overall, and won my age group by over 25 minutes.

One more Xterra this weekend in Indiana – then focus on Nationals in September!

 Ken