Smith’s trophy shelf is getting crowded. The Gunnison racer just took the state cross country mountain-biking title. Last winter he and ski partner Jon Brown took the Elk Mountains Grand Traverse crown in a split-second finish to the 40-mile Elk Mountains Grand Traverse.
The 30-year-old professional athlete races with the Trek/VW Rocky Mountain Team and is a climbing machine, known for his ability to pedal uphill for hours, even days.
What’s your best training technique?
Cross-training. I enjoy lots of nordic skiing in the winter and mix up off-road triathlons during the race season to keep me strong and well-rounded. I like to incorporate Pilates and yoga between events for core strength and flexibility.
Worst injury?
A face plant at the Mount Snow NORBA finals in 2002. I lost control of my bars and went face first into the gravel. I broke a tooth, busted my upper lip open and continued to race my final lap covered in mud and blood.
Most frightening moment?
The NORBA finals in Durango 2004. I was in podium position, riding in fifth place going into the final descent with only 20 seconds separating myself from a hard- charging Jay Henry. With descending not my forte, I was taking huge risks and on the verge of crashing all the way to the line. I managed to hold off Jay and take the last podium spot and the best XC result to date.
How do you push through mental fatigue?
Given that I nordic ski train at altitude in the winter and compete in endurance/multisport events, mental fatigue is not much of an issue. Many of the events I compete in during the summer require temperature regulation and hydration as the keys to success rather than mental toughness. Some of my favorite winter cross-training events that make me strong mentally and physically are the Mount Taylor Winter Quadrathlon, Elk Mountains Grand Traverse and the Alley Loop Freestyle Marathon nordic ski race.
What’s the sickest thing you’ve ever seen?
The aftermath of a crash my friend “Whitie” DeBroux of Boulder had during a Mexico road race this past February. While leading out the final sprint at the end of a stage, his front skewer came out on a speed bump. The impact tore the head tube off his road frame. He went face-first into the road, mincing his skin and shearing his cheek to the point where his teeth where visible. Fortunately, he was ultimately OK.
Whom do you admire most?
I admire and have the deepest respect for Ned Overend. He has been a multiple national and world champion on the mountain bike. Ned is over 50 years old and is still one of the nation’s fastest males on dirt.
What music revs you up before a big contest?
Rage Against the Machine, Metallica, Prodigy and Korn. Heavy metal, techno and hard core help to get me fired up.
Best advice you’ve ever received?
My friend and training partner and mountain-bike Hall of Famer David Wiens has always given me simple and straightforward training advice: Listen to your body and keep training fun.
What do you know now that you didn’t know then?
Be smart, stay relaxed and be flexible with how my body feels. Many races I find I become overanxious and forget to do the simplest things, like easing into a race, hydrating, eating right and getting proper rest. I think I am a smarter racer now and look more at the big picture. I focus on the big events at the end of the season as opposed to trying to go all out at every event throughout the summer.
Being flexible and refocusing training to overcome bad races is a major component of my training regimen.
