This past weekend, I (Coach Chris Newport) raced the XTERRA North American Championships in Oak Mountain State Park, Alabama—and what an unforgettable adventure it was! If you’ve been following along since my November podcast called Challenge as a Core Value, you might remember that I committed to this race as part of a bigger goal: to grow as an athlete, challenge myself, and face my fears on the mountain bike.

Now, six months later, I can confidently say: I showed up, I gave it everything, and I had a blast.

Here’s a full recap of my journey—from training to race day and everything in between. I hope it inspires you to reflect on *your* racing experiences, too!

Why I Chose This Race

I signed up for XTERRA North American Championships because I wanted a *true challenge*. I’d be racing against some of the best off-road triathletes in the country with a shot at qualifying for Worlds. But more than that, I wanted to:

* Improve my technical mountain biking skills
* Train with more consistency
* Face my fears and step outside my comfort zone

This race wasn’t just a physical test—it was a mindset shift.

The Training Journey

One of the biggest wins in this build-up? Consistency, especially on the bike.

Despite a flare-up of peroneal tendonitis (something I’ve dealt with on and off), I used the setback as a chance to double down on bike training. It ended up being a blessing—I saw major improvements in my functional threshold power and MTB confidence.

I also sharpened technical skills, stuck to structured training, and stayed focused on the process. Looking back at my TrainingPeaks, I’m really proud of how I stuck with it.

Pre-Race Prep & Logistics

Nine hours of driving later, I arrived in Birmingham two days before race day. I’d never seen the course, which made me nervous. But I previewed key sections, marked my priorities, and—yes—rode solo on unfamiliar trails, which felt like a huge personal win.

That evening, XTERRA hosted an athlete welcome dinner where I met the pros and staff. Everyone was so kind, and the energy was incredible. If you’ve never raced an XTERRA event, just know: the community vibe is *real*.

Race Morning Reflections

Race morning started with thunder, lightning, and a full-on downpour.

The start was delayed (thankfully), and by the time the skies cleared, the conditions were perfect—calm water and cool, overcast skies. I didn’t bring a rain jacket, but I did bring my donut-print umbrella (true story), and racked up 6,000 steps walking between my car, transition, and the bathroom.

Welcome to off-road racing.

The Race Breakdown

🏊 Swim

The swim was two 750m loops—wetsuit legal and super comfortable in the mid-70s. I love mass starts and found some great drafting opportunities. I even used some advanced turning techniques from our open water swim clinics (proud coach moment!).

⏱️ T1

Transition was on a basketball court, though getting there meant wading through mud. I prioritized socks and gloves and had a great rack spot near the pros. Gloves still take me a second to put on, but I rolled with it.

🚵 Bike

Let me just say: this course was a muddy, messy *party*.

We’re usually told not to ride wet trails, but here it was *game on*. The course started on single track, climbed several miles of bridle trail with stream crossings, and looped into more technical sections. Some rock gardens I attempted, others I walked—especially considering the rain.

It was rooty, twisty, humid, and FUN.

⏱️ T2

Quick and smooth! I had my race belt and chews stashed in my hat, which made for an easy grab-and-go.

🏃 Run

I expected to feel sluggish off the bike, but I surprised myself. I held a solid pace, passed a few people, and felt strong through the finish. The course was shaded and flowy, and my fueling plan kept me

steady and energized.

Results & Reflections

Did I meet my expectations? Yes

What I’m most proud of isn’t a finish time—it’s that I showed up for myself, stuck to my training, trusted myself, faced uncertainty, and had fun along the way.

Fueling & Hydration Notes

With the humidity and muddy terrain, staying on top of hydration was key. I used a mix of fluids and chews spaced out across the race and felt dialed in from start to finish. It was the perfect real-world test of the fueling strategies we teach—and it worked.

Lessons Learned

This race reminded me of a few things:

* Adaptability is everything
* “Perfect” conditions are a myth
* The best races happen when you lean into the challenge and just have *fun*

Also—how cool is it to race alongside athletes from their 20s to 60s? The diversity in age and ability was so inspiring.

What’s Next?

Am I hooked on XTERRA? Yep. In fact, I just got the email that I qualified for Worlds!

I’m not committing to my next race *just yet*, but this definitely expanded my vision of what’s possible. I loved the atmosphere, the challenge, and how it pushed me to grow. This race has reenergized me for the season ahead.

Final Thoughts: Go For It

If you’ve been sitting on a big, scary goal—consider this your sign to *go for it*.

You don’t need to feel ready. You just need to commit, stay consistent, and show up. Whether you crush the course or have a humbling day, the growth happens *because* you tried.

Thanks for following along—and as always, keep finding your edge. 💪