After a fun time at the XTERRA Epic race, it was hard to believe that I would be racing another 4+ hour race a week later.  My day-job calendar just wouldn’t allow me to race XTERRA Worlds, no matter how hard I tried, so the Epic was another one of those last-minute substitutions.  I was already signed up for the Swank 65 endurance mountain bike race along with Dan.  He and I discussed it at length, along with many conversations with Coach and Alba.  I decided to keep both, even though they were only one week apart.  My goal for the Swank 65 had to change though.  There was no way I could race the Epic at 100% and also do well at Swank.  Besides, I knew that being a multisport athlete going into a race with a bunch of guys that focus only on cycling would be tough, not to mention coming into it with tired legs.

Race: Swank 65 Endurance Mountain Bike Race
Location: Brevard, NC – Pisgah
Date: November 6, 2011
Distances: 36 mile mountain bike with 9300 feet of climbing
Products used: GU Roctane and GU Brew, Maxxis Monorail & Larsen TT Tires, Cobb Plus DRT Saddle, Rudy Project helmet, Scrub Brakes, Crank Brothers Candy Pedals.

I’ve always been told that a good triathlete is not someone who is an outstanding swimmer or an awesome biker or even a super-fast runner.  Instead, a good triathlete is someone that can put all three together.  The funny thing is, most triathletes, especially at the amateur level like me, are not great at all three sports.  They’re just good.  If they can be good, and do so at all three sports, they’ll be a great triathlete.  If they are GREAT at all three, they’re probably professional.  So why am I talking about what makes a good triathlete when this is a mountain bike race report?  Keep Reading…