The 2001 Wildflower Triathlon was held May 4/5 in central California at Lake San Antonio. Megan, Cathy, Wade, Ed and I spent the weekend competing or spectating. Though both activities had their perils, we're able to bring you three race reports from Cathy, Wade and me. If, after you read these reports, you find you have the urge to compete in the "Long Course", talk to me before you pays you monies...
First, lets just start it all off by saying - TOUGHEST EVER! Ok, that said, here goes...
The water was a warm 68 degrees and I felt pretty happy with my short warm up run and swim. I think I seeded myself back a little too far. When the gun when off, I was struggling through people to the first buoy. The bodies spread out and I was able to swim fairly straight (for me) and was passing folks on the second half of the swim. I was out a little over 38 min and into the transition area fairly quickly. (Ok, so why were there people walking up the stairs?)
T1 was sloooow! I neglected to get my wetsuit off at the water and it was a struggle up top. I also had a tough time getting my food into my shirt and getting my socks on. I think t1 was over 6 min!
I was then out on the bike and hit Beach Hill. Ok, who's idea was this? My legs were fatigued a mile into the ride and 55 miles to go?! I knew I had not put the long rides in that I should have and that the back of the ride would be tough so I knew to stay on my bars and just take it easy. Unfortunately, my right cleat came loose another couple of miles later so my leg was mainly just pushing down.
The next 40 miles were good. I was passed by almost everyone and my stomach as not thrilled with GPush and HammerGel. I only took 1/2 bottle of the gel and most of two Powerbars. The weather wasn't too hot, beautiful scenery, no flats, no accidents, nice people (mostly) and I just kept down the effort. Mile 42 started the climb. I was ready and just put my head down and pushed - ok, now the cleat was a problem but not horrible. Once getting to the summit and beginning the rolling hills, I was able to begin picking people off. They coasted down and not in the aero bars - very slow... I came in from a long, slow ride but did manage to have a little something left (3:40: bike).
T2 was much better. I stripped the unused food from my shirt pocked, threw the shoes on and started off (4 1/2 min t2). I decided to start slow (again) and boy I found out that was not a problem. The rolling hills along the lake began taking it out of my on the first mile or two. My heart rate was climbing too much on the short hills so I began walking. I found that I never did get going again but as the goals was to finish (and want to do another one w/i 24 hrs) I knew it was not critical to run but only to keep feeling good. I told myself I'd walk all the hills. OK, so there are LOTS of hills.
I wasn't able to get down much more for gel, lots of GPush, some fruit and a couple bits of a Powerbar. The single track along the lake was great. I felt reasonable but wondered why I wasn't hiking along here with Megan instead of struggling in the heat. Oh, yeah, the heat was up. Wade gave me a salt tab that I left in the transition area and I was worried about how much I was sweating. One aid station had chips and I grabbed a handful and washed it down w/ water. No cramping but lets just say I was walking the edge of bonking (literally). So, my "run" was a painfully slow 2:36 but I ran the last mile or so and *really* enjoyed the massage. As I was running in I yelled at Wade that it may take longer than 24 hrs to want to do another one. Well, I guess I made this second goal as I would do another, just not this one...
-don
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