XTERRA Triathlon Race Debrief (and what you should add to your debrief)

Coach Chris Newport takes listeners behind the scenes of the XTERRA North American Championships in Alabama, sharing insights from training preparation to race day execution. The race represented both a personal challenge to face mountain biking fears and a test of athletic growth after six months of dedicated preparation.

• Consistent training, especially on the mountain bike, led to improved technical skills and higher functional threshold power
• Thunder and lightning delayed race morning, but race directors made smart adjustments to ensure safety
• Swimming felt strong with plenty of drafting opportunities in the mass start format
• The muddy bike course created a playful, challenging experience through technical single-track and rock gardens
• Qualifying for XTERRA World Championships in Italy became an unexpected bonus achievement
• Creating your own post-race reports helps capture valuable insights about performance, mindset, and future improvements
• Growth happens when you step into the unknown and face your fears on purpose

If you've been sitting on a big, scary goal, take this as your sign to go for it. You don't need all the answers or perfection—just show up, trust your training, and be willing to learn along the way.

Chapters

• 0:00 Race Introduction and Reflection
• 2:00 Training Journey and Pre-Race Preparation
• 5:35 Race Morning and Weather Challenges
• 7:50 Swim and T1 Experience
• 10:30 Muddy Mountain Bike Adventure
• 13:35 Run, Results, and Lessons Learned
• 18:50 Future Plans and Final Encouragement