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Early tests for Mieko at XTERRA World
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Posted on Oct 20 2011
Mieko Carey is ready to face challenges in the 2011 XTERRA World Championship, but she did not expect to meet them early.
The first hurdle was her bike, which she was scheduled to bring to a bike shop in Hawaii last night or three days before the race kicks off on Oct. 23 (Oct. 24 Saipan time).
“When I took my bike out of the box, I realized something was wrong. My front gear cable snapped. I could only use the small ring,” Carey said in an email to Saipan Tribune yesterday.
Before bringing her bike to the shop for repairs, the 33-year-old triathlete had a practice ride at the new XTERRA World course on the northern, forested, and uphill side of Maui. Carey said the new course is safe, but more challenging than the south side.
“There are not too many rocks, no rider crashed or was injured. It is a very nice surface, just like our Saipan trail. But the course is really uphill, even the run part. We started at the golf course and it was 3,000 feet up and you can’t rest until the last mile. There are a lot of switches from down to uphill,” Carey said.
Then on her way to the bike course, Carey managed to see seven-time Tour de France champion Lance Armstrong.
“He was too fast and by the time I saw him, there was no way I could take his picture. If given a chance, I’d rather watch him bike than race against him,” the Saipan triathlete added. “I am really excited to see him here.”
Going back to the race, Carey said that after testing the course, she said the hardest part will be the 10-kilometer run leg and then the 30-km bike split. She said in the run part alone, they have to run two miles uphill.
The 1.5-km swim leg, which is Carey’s strongest suit, could still give the Saipan bet a tough time as big waves ranging from 3 to 5 feet are reportedly expected in the weekend race. The weather is also a bit colder than last year.
“I wish it will be a little bit hotter, but no matter what happens this Sunday, I will do my best and go to the finish line with a big smile,” Carey said.
“To my Saipan friends who are worried about my knee, please do not, I am okay and on race mode. Have fun watching me on the XTERRA website.”
