The first sentence uttered on the mike after crossing the line muddied and spent: “Girl power – Ladies, don’t know where you’ve been, but welcome.” Obscure Buffelspoort Dam – miles from civilization – soaked in fine drizzle, hosted the largest Xterra turnout in South Africa – 1000 entrants, of which most new recruits were female. It was a significant day for the lifestyle I love in South Africa.

It was my third race on the outskirts of Johannesburg in the Magielsberg mountains; and being three weeks out from Xterra South Africa Championships in Grabouw, become my most important race there as a building block of personal significance. I needed a fine day out. I needed confidence. I wanted to win.

Dylan and I travelled up on Friday morning. Billed excess on a bike that arrived 3h late. Tripped out to Buffelspoort. Pre-rode the course which was rocky and technical and nothing short of supreme. Shot back to Joburg, slipped into my mint new 2XU V:1 Wetsuit overnighted from PE, dined on fine Thai, crashed, and woke at 415am to trip back to Buffelspoort – only the Garmin was programmed to shortest route.

An issue after the cloud bust storm that burst Joburg on Friday evening. The Garmin lady said right on the gravel. We obeyed. The first serious rut made Dylan and I smile – we were in the Land Crusier after all. But by past the point of no return, staring at c for serious 4x4’ing, we were less amused and more panic’d. It was the most mental pre-race adrenaline pump I’ve had since missing the swim start as an 11year old (just joined in for the bike/run!).

The detour meant we’d not found yoghurt for the homemade muesli breakfast. Its fine detail management that can push favour out of grasp. I usually eat three hours before – ie, I have confidence in eating three hours before, now were we trying to find parking amongst the million Jozi Xterra newbies and the buckets of mud, while pouring sketchy Caltex fuel station milk into Tupperware bowls. Anyhow, atypical scenarios usually make for the best of memories after.

It’s not about the bike, but it sure makes a difference, having the shit that kills. Between my new wetsuit, new 2010 Epic, and new Puma race flats, the small advantages add. But then I stumbled and broke the first rule I could – was caught napping and started the opposite side of the good swimmers.

Trying to be respectful of altitude swimming and desperate to find feet I stroked the tiger best I could to the first bouy, and was perhaps one body length shy of Kent Horner’s feet, who was trailing Charl Keet. Did not come undone, but sure wasn’t able to show pool form. Bit disappointing, but limited damages to 25sec at the swim exit.

Xterra Buffelspoort bike route starts out with bone rattling rock gardens now slippery as shower soap. Within 3km of riding I’d nipped past  a Charl – one of the nicest lads in the sport, and past a ground level skidding Kent. I was a bike length back when he went from vertical to horizontal riding.

Kent politely apologized for costing me a few seconds, and with a no worries I was off. Kent is a class act, and ran down a 2min lead last year at on this course, and I wasn’t keen for a repeat.

If you were one of the Xterra Lite masses I passed between this point and the reserve – my sincerest apologies. My screaming, whistling, clipping handlebars and indignant gasping is not my usual self… Desperate times call for desperate measures.

I took all sorts of risks maxing my front and rear suspension through the reserve trails of loose jaded rocks. I loved the excuse to risk, to roll the dice. I’d received course information – of a section cut out – while riding and knew I know had less bike time to come good.

At the point of the course where I’d passed the school kids making out the last year (still one of my favourite racing moments) I was passing families doing the Xterra Lite as a unit. So precious and positively reflecting of the sports future. Kids as young as 10years of age like Hanno (got to meet afterwards) braving the mud, bridge crossings and thin air. Fair play. It was overwhelming, the sheer number of young, old and female entrants on the Xterra Lite course. If you made it through the extreme conditions yesterday – you can make it through any course. Well done.

The last few kilometers needed tender shifting and no out the saddle accelerations. Mud had jinxed my chain, and my rear brake was at 20%. Braodside into corners is not the time to have only front brake stoppage. But she brought me home, and will never be the same again…

Was desperate for a strong run after a few weeks of niggling and inconsistent running. I could tell out the transition that my feet were at home. Not knowing any information had me pressing through the first lap of 5km with the  urgency of a warthog with aerial tail.

Turning for lap two I heard it was 7 min lead into T2. Relief. Tried to work on form and cadence from here, and get the work done for a solid prep race.

(The flights nearing Cape Town, and the baby in row 27 (I’m n 26!) is surely about to scream again.)

Kent ran down Charl to place second, so did Justin Porteus for third and a Belgium athlete for forth. Charl rounded the top five. Riana de Lange was did real well in extreme mountain biking for win the girls side.

If you were at the prize giving and had to endure the repeated calling of my name – my apologies. Was cleaning the bike on the farside of the camp misinformed on prize giving schedule. Alas.

Again – big up to Joburg for getting mudy en masse. The turn out was phenomenal. Well done for finishing.

Aha, so that ends 2009 racing on a positive. Start 2010 early with another local multisport event on 9 Jan, before doing my 70.3 debut one week later in East London.

Have a read on my blog @

dghugo.com

Three years ago I'd just pulled the plug on my final semester of a Bcomm Investment Management, and travelled up to an three stage mutlisport event starting in Pietermaritzburg (first UCI MTB venue of 2009) to race what I believed was the door to my first financial support. It turned out to be just that, and I cant imagine life any different now, but looking back at that chapter, and being "here" three years ago, far out, how brave and or foolish.

 The event starts with a 21km trail run, transitions into a 55km mtb leg, before finishing with a 20km flat water kayak section. Roughly 5.5hours of work through rural subsistence farming valleys dotted with mud huts and live stock kraal's. I'll be doing my best to dodge through the free roaming cattle and goats on route, and there will be countless of them. Its such an African day out, far more so than my usual first world Stellenbosch enclave.

My S-Works Epic has been rigged, tuned, and made race ready by Dylan van der Merwe - Specialized Factory Team Mechanic - who is based in my home town. I've not had his prep before, and seeing the meticulous attention to fine detail is unbelievable. Master links, plugs, spare tube, all perfectly wrapped with easy access on a small double folded last centre of electrical tape. Fine detail I'd not thought of before. So, bike is ready, and should be rocking out.

Will be running the Fast Trak SLK 2.0 as the bike route is mostly fast rolling jeep track, scattered tarmac sections, and a few natural livestock trails as single track. Might run a little higher pressure than usual, perhaps 32psi, for the course specific conditions. But then its bucketing outside as I write, and that could change it up a little. Suspension I'm indecisive on, perhaps 180psi in the rear Brain Mini, and 90psi in the E100, with over firm settings for the fast nature of the ride. Hopefully be the right call.

So I won that first race three years back, and got 2.5oz of gold for it. If only gold was trading at its current price... But it was the start in many ways, of a full time dream chasing career. I've won two since, and hoping to make tomorrow a 4th. But this is just a stepping stone along the base trail... Form is building real well, and starting to nurture expectations re 2010 and beyond, starting with 4 local events in Jan/Feb here in RSA.

Will keep you posted.

Cheers.

Dan

At its peak, the flu pandemic had numerous schools closed for a week, university students mourning the death of a friend, and authority puzzled over where to from here. Stellenbosch seemed to be the centre of this swine flu mess, and I live in the centre of that centre. Alas. I seemed to be doing well in avoiding the aggressive flu strain, but ultimately had to succumb to its fangs.

After 17 days I mounted my S-Works Epic for a ginger 1hour spin. I’d spent the better part of 8days in bed, exhausted, sleeping 11hour nights and napping during the day. Like any athlete, I waded through near 20 DVD’s and two books, making up for lost time. The flu caused the onset of secondary infections, which I could have been more alert to, but tried to fight without antibiotics. So in all, it totaled two and a half frustrating weeks.

As opposed to racing Xterra Brazil as planned, I went to the family farm and hibernated under mother’s care. Alas. The plans changed further, as I’ve decided to stay home and let the international racing be for 2009. I’d like the create an opportunity from the illness to take a step back, lay down a significant base block which has been lacking, and build towards a strong 2010 and beyond.

17days and the body forgets; I hopped back on, and felt like a toddler trying walk. One leg going in one direction the other opposing. My posture felt uncomfortable, my lungs felt strained. But the greatest sensation was one of home, of being back where I should be, on the mountain bike.

It was in an isolated part of South Africa, hardly touched by modern development. And as good a venue as any for a “first date” with the mistress after being away… The sun was setting – my favourite time of day – and the changing light changed the colour of jet wind cloud streaks. Really magical. The kind of sight and moment one would not experience unless you did some sport.

So from here I’ll be back and forth on the Epic, Transition and Tarmac, putting low intensity high cadence time into the bag.

It’s good, to be riding again.

I dont shop much these days, not as much as I used to at least, nor as much as I should. But did earlier, always on the rush, never quite knowing what I really need -but with some general impression - nor quite where to find everything I think could aid hunger and optimal health - and then finally, never quite sure on all I have in the basket - until checkout. Figure to tempt checkout tonight.

On the sunrise horizon (too short a night) the trip to Brazil has ambushed my training time line a little, but excited to be heading back to Rio de Janeiro next week Tuesday. Only a 17hour commute, which seems to manageable compared to the States. And time zone change is a little less. Second attempt at Xterra Brazil - new venue though. Little play time, and get back on the Monday 31st.

A few days in Bosch, before another weekend in Natal - complete with chain breaker and master link this time. Have planned to connect with a few guys who'd apparently like to meet and do a long ride, which should be a treat, and then race on the 6th at the 3rd Jeep Apparel Multisport Race at Nagle Dam. Felt like such a clown, again, last weekend. Perplexed how I navigated hazardous mistakes through seven races in the States without misfortune? Twas the third multisport event in Natal I'd hashed in a total amature fashion. One last year, and two this season. Alas. Cheers to better days. One of the things I love about racing, the promise of a better day, never far off. Its half the life blood of us athletes, that form of reality escape, ever lifting one's gaze to the future.

That leaves me with two weeks of quality training in Spring time Stellenbosch, before returning States side for 5 weeks, 2 races, and 1 big goal - Maui. My mother dearest celebrates a significant birthday September 19th, and I have decided to hang for it. Which leaves a short week to get to Ogden, Utah, for the USA Series Final on the 27th. Am thinking midst my new found NYC infatuation that I may travel only to the East Coast, settle for two days, and then migrate further West to the Ogden, and drive from there back to Truckee for three and a half weeks of altitude tuning before Xterra World Champs in Maui.

As you gather, I've not finalised the travel and am leaving it well late, somewhere on the 'desperately must do list".

Fancy the idea of travelling back the other way round the globe, and stopping in Tokyo on return from Maui. Wonder if such a ticket would be possible? Great thought though. Been wanting to get there for a while. Either way, that gets me to early November. Gary I have discussed trying to keep it going a little more than last year to have better form and more racing options locally through the summer. Would very much like to do the Hell and Back; a 2day mtb event near Oudshorn on the 9th, and then attempt a 4th win at the Triple Challenge on the new date weekend of the 15th. Out of character, but considering joining the 2XU lads round the Double Century end November.

And thats all the stern checkout girl bills me for on the race pile.

Why did I just finish the 2l Ginger Beer? Oh dear. Might haunt me in the sack just now. Oh well. In that context, still very much enjoying being home. Many small flavours and smells and conveniences that shape my time here. Stellenbosch is visually so striking with greenery through the blackened hillsides many a perfect winters day. But the fronts are rolling through too, and weights the 'restday convictions' in the wrong direction. Not been on the farm as much as I'd like. Still flat hunting in Bosch. Time to trade the Principality of Mon Desir. So good to be indulging at Greengate - big news on the greengate horizon - blog post soon, and much enjoyed time with Naude at Eden Health - but been so stiff, and Pilates is always a treat. But I have learnt the distant longing thereof is more romantic than the actual 1h class...

Sponsorship side has me really excited. All seems well, and have new kit with Luma in the pipeline which has me amped. Something different. Seems I'll have a major opportunity with Tropitone, in trying to position the brand in the sports arena in South Africa. The first time a brand would like to use my identity as much. Seems the latest cover on Runners World and the article inside has been received well. Hope you read it. I sure havent. Dont have the bravery for it, and can only hope it was heavily edited. Anyhow, I owe my dreamGivers an update (also on that list...), but otherwise all rosy.

Mmm, the checkout girl is polite, but suggests subtly I dont have enough sleep in my basket. In the context of the desert and wholesome goodness and all. So will stop it at that, and leave my play time checkout for a rainy day. Thanks for wading through all that, am not even going to myself to edit all the mistakes... You're more loyal than I. I.