Last year I left Xterra Del Valle race in tears and dismay.  I was really looking forward to this race since it was the closest Xterra race around in the Bay Area.  Del Valle is also an awesome venue since the water is clean and cold and the bike course is mainly on fire roads with lots of climbing. The run is no piece of cake either. Anyway, due to lack of volunteers and course markings, I went the wrong way on the run and dropped from first place to third.  The worst part was just the feeling of being lost and not knowing where to go. I finally found my way back along with 3 other lost people. I found out later that people even took the wrong turn on the bike course. Basically, the race turned out to be a disaster especially those who are trying to get points.

So, with that in mind, I was hesitant about this year’s race but tried to keep positive and all the cobwebs would be worked out.  Dave and I arrived with plenty of time to register. The transition area was small and the racks were not strong. Our rack ended up being bent in the center due to the weight of 6 bikes. This caused the bikes to all slide in the center. I went out for a short run on the course and glad I did. My legs seemed to feel pretty good today.

Swim: The swim was pretty clear, two laps with a run in between along the beach in counterclockwise direction. My feet hurt after running along the beach. It was mainly on pebbles and not soft sand.  I got into a good rhythm and was pleased with the swim. I did have a guy who kept swimming into me and he had a huge kick so I was constantly getting splashed. I finally swam to the left of him since he was couldn’t swim straight and kept leaning to the right, bashing into me. I also had someone touching my feet too. I don’t mind drafting but please…you don’t need to touch someone’s feet doing it. The run to transition was along the grass field for about 300 yds.

Bike: Like I mentioned, the bike is hilly and there is very little recovery. The course was changed from last year so there was less single track also. I made it up the very steep climbs in my granny gear. Trails were pretty dry and loose and had alot of horse footprints that dried from mud and made the course bumpy in some parts. Somehow, I went the correct way, there were volunteers directing along with course markers. Some were knocked down I noticed from the wind perhaps? There are several intersections on this course which could cause alot of confusion even with course markers. I passed several women and finally hooked up with a 29yr old. She and I were trading places constantly. It actually turned out to be a great thing because we got to some sections and hoped we were going the right way. I have never talked so much during a race. She and I rode together for a good part of the race. We figured we were 2nd and 3rd place among women and would not be caught so I figured, why not work together? Heading back towards T-2, you make another turn up to a climb for the second lap. I was in complete shock to catch up to another woman and noticed it was someone in my age group who I knew. There was no way she passed me at all and she later told me that she cut the course by accident! My thoughts at that moment were not good because I did more riding and now she’s fresher than me for the run? No way! She ended up riding towards T-2 while I rode on to complete the bike portion. That whole scene threw me for a loop. But wait, it gets better. So I found out the woman who I was riding with was a club member of my tri club too. Her name is Sian. How funny is that? The last hill was hard and I was getting pretty tired at that point. Another reason why I knew we rode the correct course was because Sian said we were 13 miles in according to her bike computer.  We had some fast downhill before coming into T-2. I got off my bike, threw on the shoes…..

Run: The run is flat for about 1/2 mile or so and then some hills and rolling stuff. They changed this course also and I thought it was better marked too. The killer hill begins once you cross a  road and onto the trail. It’s pretty steep. I think this course is very much like Vegas but greener with lots of poison oak on the side. My legs were moving along pretty fast for the first part and slogging up the hill was tough. I try not to walk at all but this hill makes you walk. It’s nice to reach the top and back on a fire road. Coming back, you run along a grassy area, but people picniking on them doesn’t help. There was a group throwing a football around and they were clueless or just didn’t care that there were runners coming by. I had to stay alert and be ready to dodge a ball or person. People would also walk across your path too and that wasn’t fun. Here you are suffering and you don’t need to suddenly stop in your tracks! I caught up to a few guys and it was great to know I was heading home. The last hill was tough but then the next surprise came! The race director also had two adventure races going on after the Xterra sprint and long course was going on. I suddenly was faced with a huge group of adventure runners coming towards me on the narrow path. I had to scream out, “stay to your right, runner coming!”  They were all over the pathway. Yes, I was upset. I could finally see the finish area and made the right turn onto the grass, the finish was confusing too because the “START” sign was facing you as you came running in. I wasn’t sure if I had to run around to the opposite side. I asked as I approached. I jumped into the air with my legs and arms up. Yeah, I did it!

The drama began as I walked over to transition and heard from my fellow racers how they went off course on the bike etc….it seemed like everyone did except for a few. Some were directed by volunteers to go the wrong way also! I am sure there was confusion due to having so many races on the course in one day.

I was really happy how I did but I could feel the frustration of my fellow racers/competitors. I was in their position last year. I guess the Xterra Gods were looking over me this year. Funny thing, the race director in joking told me to not go off course this year before the race. Jim, the greatest race timer I know also jokingly reminded me of my mishap last year. I was not going to hear the end of it. I guess I made a huge impression of my feelings last year. I did take first place in my age group. Awards were not given since there were so many problems to sort out. This really is a great venue for an Xterra race. It’s so much like Vegas but without the heat. The water is not smelly either. Who ever said that points races are “easier” than championship races is a huge lie!

I do hope that 3x is a charm for next year at Del Valle. Keep your fingers crossed!