Yes, that is a Speedo, and that is a jogging Camel Back!

My XTERRA start:

After racing professional road triathlons for 10 years, and really focusing on the Sydney Olympics in 2000, I decided to try XTERRA triathlons for fun, so in 2001 I came over to the US mainly to race road tris. I was completely unprepared for mountain biking. So for XTERRAs I traveled with my helmet, a 2nd hand pair of MTB shoes, old MTB pedals and a pair of yellow Michelin Python tires. The rest of the bike I would borrow at the race venue. Or sometimes a week before. Like this 35lbs beauty with cutting edge suspension….

2001 Winning Chicago Mrs Ts Triathlon. Borrowed everything.

That year I won the USA Series and most of the XTERRAs I did. Also 6 of my 8 road triathlons. Including the legendary Mrs. Ts Chicago with its record setting 8000 participants.

Back to XTERRA:

Unfortunately (actually, fortunately) Ned Overend was my biggest competition that year. So great was my surprise (and pleasure) when just a week before XTERRA World Championships Ned gave me a brand new Specialized M5 dual suspension, a brand new Specialized helmet AND brand new Specialized shoes! It was like Christmas. (By then my old Sidis needed screws to keep the uppers and the lowers together) What he also gave me was a Specialized cycling jersey his wife cut the sleeves from. He shrugged and said I could wear it if I wanted. Of course I wanted! Ned is such a great person, the bike rode like an off road motor bike, I immediately fell in love with the product and the Specialized brand. I won World Champs by 10 minutes.

Like every XTERRA World Championship, the 1hr TV show was aired on CBS on Super bowl Sunday. Right before the game.

Proud 2001 World Champion posing with Legend and Hero – Ned.

Ned guided me through the pitfalls of negotiating a sponsorship contract for 2002. Up till that year, I have never made money from the sport- always living from hand to mouth, sometimes selling some of my cattle my dad keeps on his farm when I had to buy expensive air tickets. I had no idea how much to ask, Ned said “ask for this and that.” That’s exactly what I got. The future was bright and rosy. I was over the moon to be part of the best bike company in the world.

Now it is 2007 and I have been with Specialized for 7 years. I have won 3 XTERRA World Championships, 5 XTERRA USA Series titles, and more than 30 individual XTERRAs. This year I won every XTERRA I did. (except 1 mechanical) I raced my Specialized road bike at the Athens Olympics, have won many big road triathlons from Japan to Chicago. Nicknames that stuck were “Caveman” and “King of XTERRA”.

At every XTERRA there is an XTERRA University where I teach “The Art of XTERRA” to amateur athletes. I get dozens of emails on my website from fans asking about tire selections, equipment and bike choices. (I’m known as the dual suspension prophet that down hills like crazy)

This year a fan admired my Carbon Epic at a race and commented about the unpainted frame. I told him “It saves 180g”. He said “Well, why didn’t they just leave the Specialized stickers off and save more weight?” I replied “Of course Specialized wants to have its name on my bike” And he said “But that’s unnecessary, EVERYONE knows Conrad Stoltz rides Specialized!”

2x Olympian
3x XTERRA Word Champion
5x XTERRA USA Series Champion
5x All African triathlon Champion
5x South African Champion
4x XTERRA South Africa winner
6 Triathlon seasons in France. Including 3 France Iron Tours. Captain of Montpellier Tri team. Countless victories.
7 Triathlon seasons in USA. Chicago Mrs Ts Triathlon winner 2001. With 8000 participants, the worlds largest triathlon.
4x Boulder Peak Triathlon winner & course record holder.
16 years as a Pro
20 years in Triathlon
26 years of bike racing
27 years of running
34 years of living

The Springboks took the Rugby World Cup, so I had pull out all the stops and hit XTERRA Worlds in a big way. The only way- on the top of the podium, lei around the neck, sponsors Pacifico Beer down my throat.

What an epic battle. My game plan of killing everyone on the bike and jogging it in went out the window. My Sydney Olympics breakaway buddy Olivier Marceau rode the less than technical course brilliantly, and we started the run neck in neck. I’ve raced Olivier many many times over the last 15 years and never have I even come close to outrunning him. So I told myself, “Pucker up, this is going to be the toughest run of your life”.

©2007 Rich Cruse/XTERRA
The 1st mile on the road I stuck to Olivier like a bushveld tick, but as we hit the 1st big climb he dropped off the pace. First I though he was playing games, but when I turned the screws his footsteps faded quickly and a little miracle happened.

It was a star studded field with the Olympic silver medalist, (Bevan Docherty) 5 Olympians and a number of past champions. Victory was really really sweet. Especially after last years’ trials and tribulations. Actually, the last 5 years of paying my dues here in Maui.

Thanks a lot for everyone who played a role in my unbelievable season. I won all 6 XTERRAs I did. What a great year it has been- I only had one mechanical and not a single biomechanical!

Mahalo,
Conrad

Ice cream and beer season is now officially open…

The Caveman emerges from Lake Tahoe 40 seconds down… Rich Cruse XTERRA

and beats the camera man out of transition… Ian Dewar- Specialized Riders Club

CRUSHES the bike to build a 3minute lead… Rich Cruse XTERRA

No, it is not a tall mans’ race… Rich Cruse XTERRA

But it is a strong mans race. Rich Cruse XTERRA

New course record.

The press eternalized the magic comeback after last years maiming crash here. Ian Dewar Specialized Riders Club
Results:

Plc Name Division Swim Bike Run Overall

1 Conrad Stoltz Pro 24:17 1:32:17 37:34 2:34:08
2 Mike Vine Pro 25:52 1:33:52 35:56 2:35:40
3 Andrew Noble Pro :25:08 1:36:05 36:05 2:37:18
4 Josiah Middaugh Pro :26:01 1:35:54 35:52 2:37:47
5 Seth Wealing Pro :23:39 1:38:54 37:22 2:39:55
6 Ryan Ignatz Pro :28:00 1:35:50 :36:37 2:40:27
7 Greg Krause Pro :25:35 1:38:16 :37:00 2:40:51
8 Brian Smith Pro :29:40 1:36:02 :36:33 2:42:15
9 Bucky Schafer Pro :24:19 1:40:40 :39:25 2:44:24
10 Andrew Biglow Pro :27:42 1:42:41 :36:32 2:46:55
JTL Timing Systems
For the official slideshow, complete with snow, go to: http://web.mac.com/xterraphoto/Xterra/Tahoe_07.html

Points of interest:

Lake Tahoe is at 6400ft (1900m) and it snowed 2 nights before the event, so there was still some snow up on the trail, (8800ft high) which as quite a treat for this endless summer African. See XTERRA slide show for snow pics.

With a 9am start, the temp was just above freezing, so “What to wear” was a big issue.

What to wear:

– Thick Silicone cap under normal XTERRA swim cap.

– On the bike I went with full cold weather gloves. (Specialized Equinox) I cut the openings to be larger to help put them on over cold, wet hands. (see pics)
– I wore neoprene booties over the front part of cycling shoes to keep my toes warm. I left the shoes on the pedals and gained precious time out of T1. (see pics)

– In my Oakley glasses, I had large, VR28 (light coloured) lenses. Large to stop the cold wind from making my eyes water, and VR28 to see better on the sun dappled trail.

– If it had been any colder, I would have worn a plastic bag under my top, (removes easily and keeps the wind off your torso) and arm warmers. If it was really cold I would wear a beanie under my helmet and a long sleeve wind breaker.

Weighty issue:

Because of all the the climbing on this course I made some interesting equipment choices:

– I wore a race uniform thats 200g lighter* than my usual 2 piece.

* I drenched both uniforms in water and hung them up to drip for 5minutes. The one was 200g lighter.

– I chose tires that are 80g lighter than the tires I typically would run on these sandy conditions. Specialized Fast Trak LK. 2.00. I added the minimum amount of Stans.

– When climbing, I made sure to have as little water in my bottle as possible. There were 2 aid stations at various elevations, and if you timed things well, you didnt have to carry much water uphill. As for calories, I got them from 4 Clif Shots I taped to the down tube. I alternated Espresso with Vanilla to keep the caffeine flow steady.
– But most of all, I half starved myself in training (in true cycling tradition*) and tried to achieve the optimum blubber to muscle ratio. (Which is 0-100)
* By mentioning “cycling tradition” I get cold chills and have to voice my utmost disgust of athletes who dope. Whether the doping is “illegal”, “undetectable”, “not-illegal-yet” or “genetic manipulation”. I hate it, I hate the system and I despise athletes and doctors involved. The Marion Jones confession broke yesterday and I’m still riled up- Sorry.

Bike:

Specialized carbon Epic:
23.7lbs (10.7kg) for size XL

– Specialized D2 helmet. The most amazing helmet I have ever worn! The leap (from the already great Descibel) is astounding. 196g for a helmet?! Thats nuts. The material strap does not absorb sweat either. And, holy moley, this thing is holey!

– Rockshox SID 08. Yes, the new one. Its under 1400g with 100m travel. 115psi+ and 85psi-

– Mavic Crossmax SLR. Forget about wheel worries. These are bomb proof, dependable, no-nonsense and has a remarkably light peripheral weight, which makes the bike feel light and easy to flick through quick corners.

– Titec Pluto stem, bars and bar-ends. All carbon. Despite the added weight of the bar ends (and the risk of getting hooked up on trees!) I like them as it helps my upper body relax.

Because this was the final race of a Points Series I could not afford not to finish because of a mechanical. (I only had to get 7th or better to win the series) So I took a tubby bag with a spare tube, CO2, tire lever, Specialized Magnesium EMT multi tool, SRAM Golden Chain link, extra derailleur hanger and some duct tape wound around the CO2 canister. Duct tape works well for quick patching not too big side wall cuts- African style! Of course, my tool box weighed a ton, but with $14 000 for a Series win, I’d carry a bag full of bricks if I had to!

Caveman & Matt Lieto tackles the 1st leg of the World Monster Burger Eat and Run Champs

Pilot Butte Restaurant, Bend, Oregon

Each contestant has 30 minutes to eat:

1) The 18oz Pilot Butte Burger. (with all toppings) For the Civilized World – 18oz means 510.34873grams. That’s just the meat patty!
2) Medium fries
3) Large milkshake of your choice.

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By Conrad Stoltz -2005

For the first time in many years, I didn’t make any real New Years resolutions. I used to, but for some reason I put it off as one of those foofy things we like to do during the follies of the Festive season; like opening crackers at Christmas lunch.

After a long, tough 2004 with quite a few disappointments, I took my recovery season seriously and just breezed though life- lazily coming out of my off season, haphazardly starting training for the upcoming season, slowly morphing into what seems to maybe one day  become a fire breathing, ass kickin’ World champion triathlete again. Maybe, couldn’t say if or when.

New Years day came, and I started “serious” training like I always do. I trained so seriously, I even went on a “training camp” with friends near Clanwilliam for a week, and in-between these “training camps” I went crayfish diving with friends, I painted my house, and even bent my serious training beliefs to such an extent that wine, beer and bread was ok whenever it was within arms reach.

I was just going through the motions of training seriously. Logging the hours, sweating the sweat, waiting for the Christmas pudding bum to show signs of returning back to normal. I wasn’t feeling that burning hunger I get when training to be a champion. Working to become faster, stronger and more skillful everyday.

Mid January a friend called and we met for coffee. His expression looked serious, when he paused to gather courage, and took a deep breath before he started, I knew he wasn’t going to talk about the weak dollar. We had a good talk. Actually, he had a good talk. I had a good listen. The essence of the talk being: “Conrad, do-not-throw-it-away.” “It” being my God given talent to be a fast triathlete. It is a wonderful, yet fragile gift to have. Throwing such a gift away by painting my house, becoming an “uber crayfish diver” or enjoying fine wines at the wrong times is a shame. Slowly it dawned upon me: I am what my new Years resolution is: Empty.

Athletes have a very small window of opportunity, time wise. I can paint my house in the off season, but now is a time to make most of my talents.  For within a handful of years my “best before” date will be over, and financially, I would have to provide for a family, and live the rest of my life with what I had made during these few critical years. I have matric (the old one, at least) and a few other lesser talents, but more than anything else, when I am an old ballie, sitting on the stoep, sipping coffee, I would not be able to be at peace with myself knowing that I wasn’t the World Champion when I could have been.