Damian Gonzalez, Michael David Winery Cycling Team: 2012

XTERRA USA Championship

September 22, 2012
Snow Basin/Ogden, Utah

Placed 14th in pro division and 11th in the pro series

Love this race. It's so nice this time of year. This year I stayed up in Snow Basin along the lake instead of Ogden. Bruce, father of XTERRA jr athlete and local McKay Hunt, loaned me a trailer so I semi-roughed it in Anderson Cove. Stocked up on some good food and I felt right at home under the bright stars. Enjoy the image gallery:

Anderson cove campground

Preride

Breakfast

My old graphic arts teacher in his Thai restaurant in Sandy, UT

Ripping on the Leopard

Post race w David Miller

Xterra nationals Pro awards

Annual Harvest moon Festival in downtown Ogden. Always a treat after a tough race.

What I Eat: Goji Berries

I eat out of the bag but you can put them in salads, cold or hot cereal.

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What I Eat: Tostadas

Homemade beans and guacamole.

Choose bottled sauces without preservatives.

Goat cheese is really the only dairy I like.

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What I Eat: Cheese and Crackers (vegan)

Nice snack. Use chips, crackers or veggies to dip. The guy who makes this talked smack on me but obviously I am the bigger person.

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What I Eat: Coleslaw

Awesome snack!!!!

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Bear Valley Triathlon

Bear Valley Triathlon
9/2/2012

1st Overall

Spent a week prior to race in Bear Valley. What a peaceful and beautiful spot in the Sierra's. Take HWY 99 or 49 to HWY 4 East, lots of cabins to rent.

I posted the 3rd fastest pro time in its 20th year. It's reassuring to know that I am still improving this late in the season. Fitness is on the right track.

It was really cool to have Dave Phillips and his family there and teammate Enrique Schcolnik. Will try to get an XTERRA hosted here.

View from the porch

Full moon night, hard to show with cell phone.

A look back westward

Rode singletrack to Alpine Lake

Phot OP with Dave Phillips of MD Winery

Bear Lake

The Rock Trophy

Bear Lake

with Lisa Stock, female winner

Kassie w her mom!

Kassi and Damian at awards lunch.

Race Morning

Folsom Sprint & XTERRA Lake Tahoe

August 19, 2012
Folsom Sprint Triathlon
Lake Natomas

August 25, 2012
XTERRA Lake Tahoe
Incline Village

Folsom was a good chance to cram a "speed" race in. Trained right through this one so it was short but tough. I went with teammates Doug Ryan and Paul Dimas who did great. Paul got 2nd in his age and Doug just watched and ran some on his own, what a wuss. Actually he was mentaly prepping for XTERRA Lake Tahoe Sport course which he did awesome at for his first tri. He got 2nd in his age and 5th overall. Also got to see Dave from our winery sponsor, his wife and son Conner and a couple of Conners his fellow Lodi HS tri club members. I finished 3rd pro and got to show off my abs on the podium.

XTERRA Lake Tahoe was such a great event this year. Last year I had a broken collarbone so I was hyped to be oing it this year. My swim was extra hard today but had a good bike and OK run. Neilson Powless who's 16 won overall. He's gotten fast! Congrats to him. Paul won his age and Doug, well you already know if you read my first paragraph. Cuz why wouldnt you? I finished 3rd overall.

Tahoe Swim

Paul winning his age group, me offering support.

I was carting wine around

Paul, Heather, Nick and Yancy. Yancy toughed it out! 2nd tri ever

We hit up some hidden beaches in Tahoe!

XTERRA Mountain Championship, Beaver Creek, CO

July 14, 2012
XTERRA Mountain Championship
Beaver Creek, CO

Flew in to Denver and stayed with Circ and Cindi Toepel who are pretty well known within XTERRA community. Circ is a funny man with some good dry humor and excellent delivery. Talk to him if you see him at a race. Later met up with fellow triathlete Heather Holmes. We got to know each other a bit. She is a very cool girl.

The swim was tough for me in altitude. The only time spent in altitude was various races throughout the year, spending only a couple days at each one. Only a few days here as well although I still have a couple more races in altitude before XTERRA USA Nationals so hopefully I'll be ready by then.

Despite gasping for air during the swim, I had a pretty good bike and run. Not the most ideal placing but I seem to be getting better as the season goes. Finished 14th but got some series points and these fabulous shots...