Question:Anyone got any experiences with these races I have entered one in
Sept.Any info regarding prep etc would be very welcome.
Answer:
That would be Xterra Half Moon Bay, no? I'm doing that race as well,
and it'll be my first off-road tri. If you've never ridden offroad,
then you should do so as soon as and as much as possible; as Ken said,
there's more to MTB than fitness. Technique is *much* more important
than on a tri/road bike. Also, if at all possible, I would get out to
ride the course a few times before the race. Course knowledge is even
more important in MTB than road biking, IMO. Should probably do some
offroad bricks, too - a trail ride followed by a trail run. Trail
running requires more concentration than road running, 'cuz you've got
to watch for roots/rocks/etc, and consequently are less able to
maintain an even stride throughout.
Of course, as I said above, I've yet to do an offroad tri, so YMMV . .
I entered one XTerra in September too (GB). If it helps you, I will detail
my trining plan. This is my first XTerra, so give this the value it has ;-)
I have focused mainly in MTB technique, my weakest point because I own my
MTB from January. And because I have no idea about how the MTB course will
be.
I plan to race a MTB criterium before XTerra to see how I manage.
From now on, I plan to train 3x2km swim, 2x17km MTB easy, 17km run, (60km
MTB hard and 8km run), (60km MTB or 150km road) per week two weeks. Then I
will see how I feel and plan the last two weeks.
Are you doing the Northern or Southern California race? I have done the So Cal
race, and train on the course weekly. The bike section isn't terribly
technical, just rocky. The run section is brutal though, with some pros clockin
a one hour run for 10k. So practice your hill running.
I am doing the English race at Exmoor on the 3rd of Sept.
