In less than a week, the 5th annual XTERRA Japan Championship will kick off in historic Marunuma Kogen, Japan! The world class off-road triathlon and 30km trail running championships will be held in the majestic Marunuma Kogen (sometimes known as ‘Malnuma’), located in the northeastern area of Gunma Prefecture. With the magnificent Mount Shirane as a background, Marunuma Kogen is well-known as offering excellent skiing and outdoor adventure. The surrounding area is also full of ancient history, especially the town of NIKO. There will be a lot of elevation gain as the course goes up several steep climbs throughout mountains, open fields and dense forest. Last year, several hundred athletes from all over the world participated in the off-road triathlon, 10km, and 30km events. This will be my 5th XTERRA championship level event that has been highlighted by strong finishes at the 2008 and 2009 XTERRA Trail Running World Championships and winning the title of 2009 XTERRA New England Trail Run Series Regional Champion.

Marunuma, Japan

Mount Kusatsu-Shirane

XTERRA Japan Championship Preview:

This year’s race will feature quite a few elite and amateur athletes from all over the world, representing numerous countries.  The event has grown tremendously over the past several years, and a diverse, strong field is expected.

Schedule of Events:

Saturday, August 28^th

XTERRA Japan Championship
SWIM: 1200m / MTB: 25km / Trail Run: 10km

XTERRA JAPAN DUATHLON
1ST RUN: 1.5km / MTB: 25km / 2nd RUN: 10km

XTERRA RELAY
SWIM: 1200m / MTB: 25km / Trail Run: 10km

08:30- Registration
10:40- Mandatory Briefing
12:10- Championship & Relay start
12:20- Duathlon start
17:30 Course Closure
18:15- Award Party

Sunday, August 29^th

XTERRA TRAIL RUN
Trail Run: 30km

XTERRA light TRAIL RUN
Trail Run: 10 km

XTERRA KIDS&LIGHT
SWIM: 200m / MTB: 4km / Trail Run: 2km

XTERRA FAMILY WALK
Walk: 5km

05:30- Trail Run Registration
06:30- Trail Run Mandatory Briefing
07:00- Trail Run start
07:10- Light Trail Run start
07:30- Family Walk start
08:00- Kids&Light Mandatory Briefing
09:00- Kids&Light Start
11:30- Kids&Light/Light Trail Run Award Ceremony
15:00- Trail Run Award Ceremony

For more information, contact Mai Chiku at XTERRA Japan.

Mai Chiku
XTERRA Japan Office
office@xterrajapan.net
c/o ATHLONIA Corp.
1F, 17-10 Sarugaku-cho,
Shibuya-ku, TOKYO
JAPAN 150-0033
TEL: 03-6277-5131
FAX: 03-6277-5132
URL: www.athlonia.com

http://www.xterrajapan.net

About the XTERRA Trail Run Series:

XTERRA is on a mission to produce the most recognizable, enjoyable, root slipping, mud hopping, tree ducking, river crossing, hill climbing, dirt on your shirt, sweat in your eye trail runs this side of Grandma’s house!

More than 50 races across the U.S. comprise the XTERRA Trail Run Series and offer age group athletes the opportunity to become regional champions. We’ll also crown National Champions in Bend, Oregon on September 13 and World Champions in Hawaii on December 6.

Along the way XTERRA Trail Runs give back to the community by involving not-for-profits as beneficiaries at our events.

ABOUT XTERRA TRAIL RUNNING

XTERRA is on a mission to produce the most recognizable, enjoyable, root slipping, mud hopping, tree ducking, river crossing, hill climbing, dirt on your shirt, sweat in your eye trail runs this side of Grandma’s house!

More than 50 races across the U.S. comprise the XTERRA Trail Run Series and offer age group athletes the opportunity to become regional champions.

The 2010 XTERRA Trail Run Series features runs across the country ranging from 5km to 25km.

The Series is grouped into geographic regions, and each region has anywhere from 3-to-7 races that runners can compete in and accumulate points towards their regional championship.

Regional Champions are awarded free entry into the XTERRA Trail Running National Championship – an off-road half-marathon to be held in Bend, OR.

There are also several Xduro’s (endurance trail runs ranging from 18-to-42km in distance) in the U.S.  and each one qualifies runners to compete in both the XTERRA Trail Running National and World Championship events.

XTERRA trail runs have also gone global with off-road half’s in such exotic locations as Brazil, New Zealand, Japan, Italy, France, Switzerland and the United Kingdom.  At the end of the year, runner’s from all over the world will unite in the majestic Kaaawa Valley at Kualoa Ranch on the island of Oahu for the ultimate Xduro – the XTERRA Trail Run World Championship on December 5, 2010.

Since racing in the XTERRA Trail Run Series, there’s been many highlights. They include:

XTERRA HIGHLIGHTS:

• 2009 XTERRA New England Trail Run Series Regional Champion
• 4th Male 30-34 at 2009 XTERRA Trail Run World Championship
• 33rd OA at 2008 XTERRA Trail Run World Championship
• 2x Top 20% finisher at XTERRA Trail Running World Championship
• 2x Top 20% finisher at XTERRA Trail Running National Championship
• Competed in 8 events in six different states in 2009
• Competed in 9 different states since 2008

MEDIA HIGHLIGHTS:

• XTERRA Planet Magazine “Tracking the Tribe: Ambassador Rich” Featured Athlete [6/2010]
• First athlete named to the XTERRA Trail Run (XTR) Ambassador Program [5/10/2010]
• XTERRA Trail Run Worlds Press Guide Featured Athlete [12/6/2009]
• XTERRA Trail Run Nationals Press Guide Featured Athlete [9/13/2009]
• XTERRA Trail Mix Newsletter “Runner Spotlight” Featured Athlete [6/10/09]
• XTERRA Trail Run Worlds Press Guide Featured Athlete [12/7/2008]
• XTERRA Trail Run Nationals Press Guide Featured Athlete [9/27/2008]

XTERRA Planet Magazine “Tracking the Tribe” Featured Athlete –  June 2010

One of my greatest XTERRA experiences has been being crowned the 2009 XTERRA New England Trail Run Series Regional Champion, where I won the Men’s 30-34 age group, and also the overall series points total. Another fond memory of XTERRA Trail Running has been the amazing experience of competing at Trail Run Worlds twice, in both 2008 and 2009. For me, the inaugural XTERRA Trail Run World Championship, held in 2008, was highlighted by finishing 33rd out of 358, or the top 10% overall. While my overall performance at the 2009 World Championship wasn’t as strong, I did manage to finish 4th out of 36 in the men’s 30-34 age group, as the second American, respectively.

RACE GOALS:

Some of my future aspirations, when it comes to XTERRA Trail Running, include, but is not limited to, winning several regional championships, and being a top 10 finisher at World Championships. I’d also like to medal in my age group at Trail Run Worlds. Additionally, my focus will be on the XTERRA Trail Running World Tour while educating, encouraging, and informing others about XTERRA – Trail Runs, Off-road Triathlon Races, Foundation, Gear and other XTERRA products.

I hope to see you at an XTERRA event sometime soon! Live More!

Learn more at http://www.xterratrailrun.com

Ka’a'awa Valley, Kualoa Ranch

Ka’a'awa Valley, Kualoa Ranch

As compared to the 2008 race, the conditions this year were much more difficult. On race morning, it was very hot and the sun was out in full. Despite the course being slightly shortened, it also proved to be more difficult with the addition of several long and steep climbs.

The start was fast, very fast, as we quickly descended down a small hill and then hit the first series of climbs about 1200 meters into the race. I had a very strong start and felt great, until I hit the second hill. At this point, I began to have some cramping and stomach issues. Over the next couple of miles I worked through them and then got my rhythm back about six miles into the race.

The Mountains Surrounding Kualoa Ranch

Volcanic Origin Mountains

The second half of the 21k World Championship race proved to be the most grueling, as were hit several steep climbs that eventually led to a single track trail through the rain forest. This has always been one of my favorite parts of this race since it offers everything that make’s XTERRA what it is, and showcases a breath taking view out into the Pacific Ocean! Just like last year, I was so tempted to stop for a while to appreciate the amazing views of the numerous small old volcanic islands that were clustered all over the coast of Oahu.

After breaking out of the rain forest, runners are greeted by a long and steep decent, followed by a couple of miles of single track trails through fields, some small streams, forest and a downhill sprint to the finish.

International Flags

The Finish Line

Coming out of the woods, I put my kick in and came through with about the same time as in 2008. While it might not have been the finish that I was expecting, I was pleased despite my struggles throughout the early portion of the race.  I ended up finishing 67th overall and 4th out of 36 runners in the Men’s 30-34 Age Group. The field was definitely much more competitive than last year and the overall experience was amazing.

Me, Post Race

Angel and I

Me, Post Race

Angel and XTERRA All-Star Athlete, Amy Eck

Angel, Post Race

Angel and I spent about a week in Hawaii and were fortunate to experience many of Hawaii’s treasures. Prior to World Championships, we went snorkeling at Hanauma Bay and swam with three beautiful sea turtles and countless numbers of exotic fish, including a Puffer fish. Snorkeling in one of the most exotic reefs in the world was an exhilarating experience, despite having to swim through heavy current and maneuvering razor sharp coral.

Hanauma Bay

Hanauma Bay

Hanauma Bay

In addition to spending a day at Hanauma Bay, we also walked and ran on Waikiki Beach and got to experience the massive 40-foot waves on the North Shore. This was the first time in years where the world famous “The Eddie” surfing tournament was held due to the change of ocean currents generating immense swells over a couple of days. The competition attracted the best surfers from around the globe. The waves were a truly spectacular thing to witness.

40-Foot Waves, The North Shore

Surfers, The North Shore

Three Tables, The North Shore

Three Tables, The North Shore

Sunset Beach, The North Shore

The Quiksilver “Eddie Aikau” big wave surfing event

Me, The North Shore

Angel and I, The North Shore

Waikiki Beach

Angel and I, Waikiki Beach

Angel and I, Waikiki Beach

Waikiki Beach

Diamond Head

Waikiki Beach

The North Shore

XTERRA Staff Janet Clark, Emily McIlvaine and I

Special thanks to XTERRA for hosting another spectacular event and my sponsors, friends and family for all of your support through this amazing race season, XTERRA athlete Rachel Cieslewicz for not letting me give up early into World Championships when times were tough and all of my supporters and fans – If it wasn’t for you, I wouldn’t be where I am now.  Thank you PowerBar for all of the great nutrition products and the Gel Blasts have saved the day more than once this past season! Thanks SUGOI for making high quality competition gear; I loved the RSL Top that I used at Worlds. Thank you Deepak for your very professional and stellar athlete travel services. If anyone is ever looking for high quality and very reasonable travel to an exotic race location, make sure that you check out Premium Plus Sports. And thank you to my sports agent, Allen, at Platinum Sports Entertainment Group, Inc., for your diligent hard work in helping my athletic career excel.

I spent the week leading up to the race up at my camp in the mountains of north central Pennsylvania and got a lot of quality training in. Over an eight day span, my mileage reached close to 100 miles, consisting mostly of tempo runs throughout the mountains. Aside from running, I did get the opportunity to have some fun with family and friends in the outdoors and catch up on some much needed landscaping around camp. On my final run at camp prior to leaving for VT, I was deep up in the hollow in the early evening and came across an entire family of skunks and also a couple coyotes that were fighting/attacking something. It was a pretty unique experience and of course happened on one of the rare occasions that I didn’t have my camera with me!

Come Friday morning, I left for Warren, VT and drove over 8 hours through New York and into Vermont. When I was about 30 minutes away from the resort, I narrowly avoided a catastrophe. While driving on highway VT100 North, I was taking a sharp bend at about 55 mph right around dusk. As I started to clear the bend, a very large cow Moose steps out into the middle of the road and I downshifted immediately and luckily was able to break in time! It was a close call, but definitely could have been closer. Shortly later I stopped at the Vermont Home Bakery off of VT100 and the owner mentioned how there has been more Moose than usual around the roads this summer. I took this advice and proceeded with caution over the next 20 miles or so and reached Sugarbush. With already having a lot of luck seeing some cool wildlife throughout the week, I came across a small pack of coyotes out in a field while pulling into the camping area on Sugarbush Mountain. My headlights reached out and I caught them out in one of the ski slope clearings. It appeared that they were chasing a small fawn at the time.

On race morning, my good luck ran out, with less than 20 minutes to the start of the race. While changing into my race gear, the wind blew my trunk shut with my keys in the car. Despite the doors being unlocked, once the trunk shut the entire car went into lockdown mode and my XC race shoes, watch and sunglasses were all still in the car! I could live without the shades and watch, but was greatly concerned about my shoes, especially in a treacherous and technical race like this that included many large, steep climbs, mud, roots and rocks. Would I be stuck wearing an old pair of heavy Nike trainers? I mean, it could have been worse…I could have had my Adidas Superstar’s on…or sandals…or be barefoot. With time running out before the cannon would go off, I desperately searched for a pair of race shoes. I asked other athletes, some even offered, but nothing in my size. The shoe vendors didn’t have my size either, and the last thing I’d want to do is race with a pair of shoes that’s too small or large. My feet would have been shredded on a course that has so many steep ascents and descents. Minutes prior to the race, I was contemplating not starting. Too much was at stake to have a bad race and it now became a mental game. At literally the last minute, I decided to run and make the most of it.

BOOM! The canon goes off. It’s XTERRA time – again! I immediately jumped out into the lead and felt strong for the first mile and then some. A little more than a mile into the race, we proceeded up the mountain. It was steep and long. I felt it in my legs. Pain. Fatigue. The 100 miles from the past eight days. Not long after, my lead was gone and continued to slip down. Within 20 minutes, I was in 11^th place overall. I considered dropping out because I didn’t think at that time it would be smart to race considering the circumstances. Surprising, I got into rhythm and after 45 minutes, things dramatically turned around. After the first couple large climbs and switchbacks, I gained a couple of places. After running for about 90 minutes, I moved up to 7^th place. This wasn’t where I really wanted to be, but much better than earlier in the race. With less than three miles to go, we approach the base of the mountain, passed the finish line and headed up the mountain again. It was a brutal climb; I looked behind me and put a significant amount of space between the next closest competitor and I. The final ascent up the mountain was brutal and went right up the ski trails. It seemed to never end.

Finally, one last small climb and then a long, steep downhill finish. Surprisingly out of nowhere, another runner caught up to me. It was a guy from Massachusetts who was ahead of me earlier in the race, but took a wrong turn that cost him. He jumped ahead of me on the downhill and I kept within striking distance. He was definitely a better downhill runner, but I knew that I’d catch him in the final quarter mile if I can keep it close. Shortly before the final 600 meters, I dug deep and put my finishing kick on. There’s no question that it didn’t hurt, but I successfully pulled ahead and was able to secure a 7^th place finish (1^st Male 30-34). Overcoming adversity, I was able to finish strong and moved into the lead in the points standings for the XTERRA Trail Running New England Series. Only one race now stands between a championship title and I.

Never give up, no matter how bleak the situation looks. You just never know how things will eventually unfold.