It’s just gone half six on the morning of the race, I’m super excited, but I’m obviously quite nervous too. It’s nervous in a different way from normal because I’m usually gunning it for the podium or to beat the other athletes. But, this is really different. This is almost like I’m scared what I’m about to do to myself because I’m not very good at holding back. I’m not massively prepared and fit, so I’m actually slightly nervous I’m about to blow up on this…

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    I’ve just arrived in Malta ahead of my first ever XTERRA triathlon, an off-road triathlon, and actually my first race since retiring from being a professional triathlete. I’ve kind of enjoyed myself since retiring so this is off the back of pretty little training actually. And apparently, I’ve thrown myself into the deep end because this is one of the toughest XTERRA courses on the circuit. We’re out here for week of filming ahead of the race, so probably not the most ideal prep, but I’m really excited to race my first ever XTERRA. Everyone tells me how fun they are so I can’t wait to get stuck in. We are good to go – XTERRA Malta, here I come… 🏆

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    41 Comments

    1. Great video and glad to see Xterra on GTN too! I just raced Xterra Oak Mountain in Alabama, and raced at Xterra World Champs last October in Maui! Welcome to the club, and keep it up!

    2. Just started to discover triathlon after a running injury and been watching your videos…have to say the off-road triathlon is definitely more my cup of tea coming from a trail running background…is there a reason there isn’t a uk Xterra and also nowhere near as many cross triathlon events in the uk? Is it still a growing sport in the uk?

      Also well done mark, brilliant effort!

    3. Wow guys you are so awesome !!! so much knowledge and so much performance at the same time !! Thank you for all the time you guys invest every week !!!

    4. Watching the recent EMBN vs Mark video reminded me of these videos. It would be awesome if you guys could talk the GMBN guys into trying one of the more technical Xterra events with you as coaches similar to Si taking Fraiser through his first bike race or as an GTN vs GMBN. I just completed Xterra Victoria and it was proper BC mountain biking the whole time, and could even the playing field a bit.

    5. Yo im having the Mandela affect. I'm rewatching this in 2020, remembering that there was a clip of mark falling. Can someone tell me if they remembered seeing that too, or am I tripping.

    6. I am 4 weeks into GTN binge watching and I can now safely conclude Mark is a beast of an athlete. He is such a natural fast runner its mind blowing. lol

    7. As usual, fun video but zero practical tips from a completely unprepared presenter. A whole conversation about tire pressure and still they end up not disclosing what actual tire pressure Mark went for…

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