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10km fun run, XTERRA, Maui

I’m happy to have survived. And fairly happy with my time of 1hr 12min, or so.

Since I’d not done any distance “running” since June, I placed myself at the very back of the pack for the start. That way I’d not suffer the indignity of little girls passing me en route. (The winner of the 2008 5km Women’s division was 13yrs-old.)

For the first 4km I took it very easy, unsure whether or not I’d hit some kind of 8km “wall”. Like most at the back of the pack, I walked some of the steeper sections when I felt walking would be as fast as a slow jog.

At about the half way point I started to feel GREAT and began to push the stride length. Started passing lots of people.

The XTERRA course trails are infamous for loose volcanic rock. But I found this one fairly tame. No chance of a sprained ankle, even on the steeper descents. There was a fair bit of elevation but no huge hills.

In my ignorance I didn’t know that the last mile or so was along the ocean. Soft sand and jagged rock. Heat, humidity and sand sucks your energy. I passed almost no one on my “kick” though I felt strong.

Rick-XTERRA

Though billed as something of a fun run, there are some very serious runners. Mike Tobin, past winner of the XTERRA triathlon, was slumming it in the 10km. And he only came 3rd!

XTERRA 10km home page

I’ll be a spectator tomorrow for the World Championships.

2-time defending champ Melanie McQuaid
3 time XTERRA World Champion Melanie McQuaid

I just attended a clinic with some of the favourites: Julie Dibens, Melanie McQuaid, Nico Lebrun and Conrad Stoltz. Yesterday I listened to Shonny Vanlandingham and Josiah Middaugh. Inspiring!

Shonny Vanlandingham and Josiah Middaugh

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XTERRA World Championships, Maui

by site editor Rick McCharles

I just happen to be in Maui …

As my Adventure Racing team is at U.S. Championships in Texas this weekend, perhaps I shoudl jump in with the best off-road triathletes on Earth.

… What do you think?

XTERRA

At 9:00 a.m. on Sunday, October 25th, a maxed-out field of 550 international racers will embrace the annual challenge of XTERRA’s most grueling course – and in the ensuing hours put their mental and physical toughness up against Mother Nature’s arsenal of sun, sand, water, kiawe, and lava. …

Athletes from more than 20 countries and 40 states will gather on Maui – the spiritual birthplace of XTERRA – having competed all season long for the right to be at the World Tour’s culminating event. …

$105,000 in pro prize money is up for grabs and for age groupers, the title of XTERRA World Champion. All the action will be filmed for a one-hour TV special, and on race day, friends, family and fans from around the globe can log-on to http://www.XTERRA.TV for live updates from Maui.

XTERRAplanet – Maui

Or, … maybe I’ll sign up only for the 10km fun run.

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U.S. Adventure Race Nationals

Starts today.

Good luck to my teammates Jeni, Andy and Dave who are competing at Nationals for the first time. It’s in Texas.

(Me? I’m still in stealth training mode.)

From Jeni by email:

Race start is 7a.m. Friday, and cut-off is 1p.m. Saturday (although many, many of us may still be racing long after this time…). Last year only 10% of the teams finished the race before the 30 hour cutoff…

For those unfamiliar, adventure racing is like triathlon meets ‘Survivor’. There is no course specifically, and you don’t know which events or in what order they will be until start (or even sometime during the race!). Co-ed teams of 3 must navigate their way using only topo maps and compass through approximately 75-100+ miles of rugged terrain using mt bikes, kayaks, and trekking/running.

Often ‘surprise’ events (like swimming with your bike, climbing, solving puzzles) appear along the way just to make sure no one gets bored. Team members must stay within 50 feet of each other at all times, and all members participate in all aspects of the race as one unit. …

Follow the action:

US-AR-Nationals

U.S. Adventure Race Nationals – news

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where to hike Summer 2010

Hmm. …

I’m leaning towards the U.S.A.

Possibilities:

→ Sierra High Route, California

→ Continental Divide Trail – Indian Peaks Wilderness to the South San Juan Wilderness, Colorado

→ Lake Tahoe Rim Trail, California

→ Wonderland Trail, Washington

→ Enchantment Traverse, Washington (friends loved this area, hiking it this past summer)

→ Chinese Wall, Montana

→ Maroon Bells Loop, Colorado

Comments?

The toughest option there is the High Route. Route finding. Off-trail. Scrambles. Snow. Bugs. And no protection from the sun.

I’d try to duplicate the trip undertaken by the world’s greatest hiker, Andrew Skurka.

Skurka-Sierra

his trip report – Sierra High Route — July 2008

… Leave a comment if you’ve an opinion on the best hike of these listed. Or any other in the continental USA.

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best water bottle for hiking

When I gave up on carrying a water filter, I gave up on Nalgene wide mouth bottles.

In recent years I’ve simply carried a soft drink bottle. It’s fantastically reliable and fits more easily into my pack pocket than a Nalgene.

Crow recommends …

water… a 20 ounce “Vitamin Water” bottle. I wanted a wide mouth bottle because it’s easier to add drink powders to them. …

I have been using the same bottle for years. That’s the thing about “single use” plastic bottles, I don’t care how many years I have carried the same bottle, nor how many times I have dropped it, nor how rough its life has been. I have never, ever had a “single use” plastic bottle fail me.

They are light, dependable, and cheap. “Single use” plastic bottles are what I use for all my water carrying needs.

read more – Gear Review: “Vitamin Water” bottle

Good idea. I think I’ll buy my first and last bottle of Vitamin Water.

Needless to say, Crow has no time for water bladders.

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best wicking shirt … MEC Rapidi-T

I travelled and hiked over the past summer with 4 wicking t-shirts:


→ Patagonia
→ Adidas
→ Nike
→ MEC Rapidi-T

The best (and cheapest by far) was the MEC Rapidi-T.

On return to Canada I stocked up, buying 4 more short-sleeved. And 1 long-sleeved. (You never know when this product will be discontinued or the fabric changed.)

Rapidi-T

$18.00 CAD (US$16.80) – Made in Canada

Search the Mountain Equipment Co-op website (MEC.ca) for Product Number: 5014-990.

If you see me on the trail you’ll be near guaranteed that I’ll be wearing this shirt. MEC Breeze unlined nylon pants. And MEC Seamless Classic Briefs.

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Grizzly Bears in Vancouver, Canada

I was surprised to see two male orphaned Grizzly Bears on display at the top of Grouse Mountain, very much in the city.

Grizzly

Grinder was found orphaned June 5, 2001 in Invermere, British Columbia. He was wandering alone on a logging road, dehydrated, thin, weak and weighing only 4.5 kg. His mother was never found so how he came to be alone is unknown. …

Coola was found orphaned at the side of the highway on June 29, 2001 near Bella Coola, British Columbia. His mother had been hit and killed by a truck. Of her three cubs, Coola was the only one to survive. …

Grouse Mountain Refuge for Endangered Wildlife

Watch a video on the project.

Wolves are on show there, as well, but not visible when I visted.

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travel insurance that covers hiking

Be sure to check your policy when traveling out-of-country to ensure trekking is covered. I’m considering a trip to Hawaii and Asia.

I like World Nomads insurance. Here are the adventure sports covered and not covered for a Canadian:

screen shot - click image for full list
screen shot - click image for full list

Travel Nomads A-Z of Adventure Insurance

Hiking or Tramping is covered. But not Abseiling, Caving, Mountaineering or Rock Climbing.

The quote for me for 7wks is about US$200 anywhere in the world, including the USA:

A summary of the benefits are set out below. Please read the policy wording carefully for full details and age limits of any accompanying children.
Emergency Medical & Dental Coverage CAD $1,000,000

Following an injury or illness during your trip your policy covers reasonable and customary costs for Medical, in-hospital, road ambulance and other treatment administered by a registered medical practitioner or paramedic.
Medical Transportation CAD $500,000

If you require transportation to an appropriate medical facility to treat your injury or illness or to return you to your province or territory of residence, your policy will cover the reasonable and necessary transportation costs when pre-approved and arranged by World Access Canada.
Baggage Coverage CAD $2,500

You are covered for accidental theft or damage to your luggage/personal belongings. Coverage is limited to $500 per item. Exclusions apply, including items left unattended in a motor vehicle.
Sporting Equipment Coverage CAD $2,500

This policy provides coverage should your sporting equipment become lost by the Common Carrier, or damaged, or stolen provided you have taken all reasonable measures to protect, save and recover your property at all times. Coverage is secondary to any coverage provided by the Common Carrier.
Trip Cancellation CAD $1,000

Trip Cancellation coverage reimburses you for the non-refundable portion of your pre-paid trip costs if you cancel your transportation/accommodation arrangements prior to your departure as a result of a covered reason.
Trip Interruption CAD $5,000

Trip Interruption coverage reimburses you for covered losses you incur for trips that are interrupted or delayed after your departure date.
Travel Accident Coverage CAD $10,000

This policy provides coverage should you suffer loss of life as the direct result of an injury while travelling as a ticketed passenger on a licensed Common Carrier.

Leave a comment if you have an opinion on this policy and price. Or if you know of better.