Xterra Lory Race Report

Xterra Lory was my first planned Xterra Triathlon for the season.  So, what is an Xterra triathlon?  Xterra triathlons are swim-bike-run events where the bike and run take place on mountain trails instead of the road.  They are some of my favorite races because it brings variety in biking and running instead of just putting my head down and biking and running on the road.  Xterra Lory was my first ever Xterra triathlon a few years ago.  It was my introduction into a "new" sport where I found I was not very competitive.  My first race was a disaster but every year I have been improving.

Xterra Lory takes place at Lory State Park outside of Ft. Collins, Colorado.  The swim is .5 miles and takes place in Horsetooth Reservoir and the bike and run takes place in the park.  The bike portion is a 12.5 mile, two loop course which is not very technical.  The run is 5 miles and includes a run straight up the mountain.  My first year, I walked most of the uphill, it was rough.  This year my goal was to run the entire time.

Beautiful race venue.

The race started and I had a great swim.  I found a good pace and someone to swim next to so I had to sight (the process of looking ahead to ensure you are swimming straight) less.  I exited the water feeling good and ready for the bike.  Since the course is not very technical I can compete slightly better then in more technical courses.  I was able to overtake a few racers but had a few overtake me.
The transition from the bike to the run was blazing fast and I immediately took over two runners (both younger than me) which felt pretty good.  After you hit the first mile marker the 1.5 mile climb starts.  My goal was to not stop running, even in the steep parts.  And I achieved my goal, all while overtaking runner after runner.

After making to the highest point I began my quick descent.  At one point I got going a little too quick, my foot caught a rock and I went flying off the trail rolling into the bushes.  I quickly stood up and kept running.  It took me out of my groove for a bit but I soon found it again and finished strong.  With an improved time over my previous race, mostly from the run, and finished in the top third in my age group.  It was a great day!

My battle scars from my fall.  And a coke of course.

A Great Tradition

Every year we pack up all of the family and head up to the Great Sand Dunes just outside of Alamosa, Colorado.  The drive isn't too far from our home and the boys love playing in a huge sandbox.  We time it right every year that Medano Creek is running so we can spend the morning hiking and playing in the sand then the afternoon playing in the water.

We arrived at a very crowded camp on Thursday evening.  After some dinner (hot dogs, not Hanni's favorite) we made a fire and enjoyed the first evening with S'Mores.

Say Cheese!

Beautiful sunset from camp.

Our home for three days.

When we camp it's not always sunshine and roses.  The roughest parts of this trip was the arguing between the boys when setting up and taking down their tent and the first night of non stop crying from one of the three boys in the large tent.  The first night was rough!  But it's still the experience that we want the boys to have.

After a not so restful first night we awoke to a beautifully sunny morning.  We drove the few minutes into the Great Sand Dunes park and started our day of fun.  Hanni and Finn decided to hike to the highest, closest peak while the rest of us stayed on a lower ridge to play in the sand.

Summit!  The sand dunes go for miles

Summit selfie.

Luuk posing for the camera.

Sweet Sandboarding!

Last year we took a picture of the 5 boys at the very same spot.  Had to reenact it.

Final night sunset.  We slept much better the second night.

On our way home from the Sand Dunes we always stop at Zapata Falls to hike up.  It's the perfect distance hike for all ages and an awesome waterfall at the end.

The trail is very well marked and easy to hike.

This year we saw the most hikers we had every seen on the trail but it was still an awesome experience.  The water was frigid, painfully cold but we forged through to get inside the cavern to see the waterfall.

Perfect spot for a family picture.

Overall it was a fun trip, despite the fighting in the campground or the lack of sleep, we created memories which we will always remember.  Camping with the family is a lot of work, packing, setting up camp, cooking, hiking, hiking, driving, taking down camp, unpacking everything and the list goes on and on.  But we are certain that the boys memories will of these trips will be happy ones.