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so i did an xterra 165 loose nuts assembled at Bishop Lake, Brighton Recreation Area, Brighton, MI, about a 4 hr ride from Chi, to catch a spectacular day of racing. Sat was wicked hot 95+ with a 90+ humidity and I was sweating pretty good just by attending the course talk on sat. The course map could be improved, I rode what I thought was the trail in the am but I was only about 50% right. I camped at Brighton Recreation Area and they had nice facilities but I think next time I would stay at a rural site just to get away from all the RV’s. (Michigan has some very large trucks and even larger RV's.) The shower facility they had was really nice – better than most hotels except the 4 stared ones. On Sunday a storm passed about 40 min before the start and which wetted things down and cooled things off (trash bag to T area from now on to cover my stuff in case it rains again). Water temp was 80 so no wet suits, didn’t hit me till the first 200 meters that things felt much different in open water without a wet suit. Swim was ok outside of I started a bit too fast and I think I need to practice open water drafting. Route to transition was well marked and the wet grass helped clean the feet on the way up the hill to T1. On the MTB bike to the Murray lake trail for one long loop and one short – 15 mile total. The trails were very very well marked, small blue flags for bike, red for run and the local x-country team did a great job serving and as trail guides and aid station princess. The mtb trail was quick, windy and very fun, I am glad I pre-rode it on sat b/c there were some hair pins into sandbars – the kind that are loose, free and deep and stop you quickly to the point they whisper in your ear that its ok for you to go over your handlebars. After the 1st loop headed back by transition and to get my bike # marked, then out for a second shorted loop. This was going well until my lower back started to get really really tight. (I found out that it was some hip muscles that I never heard of before that got tight and affected my back but I think I got a fix for that now.) Coming out of the short loop to T2, racked the ride and threw on the trail shoes for a 10k on the Torn Shirt trail. (So now I get why they make those speed laces.) Great trail in the shade, very tight, up/down, and fun. I’d like to report that the run went well, but about 4 miles in of less and less running and more and more walking I pulled over and stretched for a while, I never felt that type of back tightness before it was like I almost couldn’t pick up my knees, and then went on, it went better after but it was kinda disappointing to be hampered by that. I’d say the coolest thing was the people, met some interesting cats, everyone was there to have fun and enjoy the outdoors. All in all I thought I was a good location, good set up and I’d be back next week if they had another one there. The only thing I could complain about was the course map. Cannonballs,
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