Submitted by Ken Frankenbery

The Rust man Xterra was the very first Xterra, and is one of only 2 Xterra’s to still use the ½ Iron man distances ( 1 mile swim – 30 mile Mountain Bike – 10 mile trail run)

I have wanted to do this race for years, and made the 16 hour drive down to arrive 3 days before the race

The race is held at Lincoln Parish Park, it’s a gorgeous State park with a spring fed lake, a great mountain bike loop, and lots of hiking trails to use for run. Upon arrival, went out for a short run. It was 90 degrees, but the humidity was so bad it felt like you were at elevation. 10 minutes into the run, I was soaked with sweat, and felt like I could not get a full breath – the air was so thick you could cut it!

After a few days of getting used to heat, riding the trails, getting in some open water swims, I focused on resting and getting hydrated. Saturday’s race temp was projected to be 95 and sunny.

Unfortunately, even with a spring fed lake, water temperature was 81 degrees, so would not get to use my new wet suit.

The swim was 2 laps, I tried to pace myself, but that was a challenge in a mass start. Came out of the water in about 38th place overall, 3rd in my class, but passed 4 people in transition, one of them in my age group.

Felt strong on bike loop, we did 3 laps on a 10 mile loop. I took the lead in my class on first lap, and passed over 20 riders before the final lap. I was glad I took my full suspension Gary Fisher – to take the edge of all the rocks and roots before the 10 mile run.

I was just outside the top 10 as I went into transition 2, headed out for 3 laps of a 3.5 mile run loop. Hit the run, and sun was brutal, temp was in mid-90’s. The run loop was a mix of hiking trails, dirt roads, and fresh cut trails with 3 creek crossings. I felt good, really focused on staying hydrated, getting in calories, enduralities and continued to pick off people, finishing 6th overall, and first in my age group by over 45 minutes.

The race is a classic, and hope to make it an annual event!