Wildflower is one of the longest running and most organized
races on the triathlon circuit, I did the race for the first time 2 years ago
and was sure I would be back. Last year
injury kept me away, but this year I was ready….or so I thought. I used this race as a chance to go and see
my brother in San Jose, he was also going to be racing the Olympic race on
Sunday. We made our way to the course
and got settled in the house with about 8 other pros racing. Race morning I was happy to learn of a no
wetsuit swim, this is rare at this race and definitely an advantage for
me. The swim went well I ended up
swimming in 4th place for most of the race with one other guy. 1st and 2nd were 30
seconds ahead and we were 20 seconds ahead of the main pack. I exiting the water and made my way to
transition, when I was taking off my Zoot speed suit I could feel something
slimy on my chest when I was getting my helmet and glasses on. I was covered in a nice green algae bloom, it
got all over my glasses, hands and chest.
Sunglasses went in my pocket and I headed out on the bike, not much I
could do about the mess now. The
beginning of the bike winds around by the lake before heading uphill away from
the park and around the lake. The bike is
tough here and hilly but very pretty as it heads through vineyards of central CA.
http://www.slowtwitch.com/Features/2013_Wildflower_Long_Course_3583.html
During the course of the bike I was passed by many of the
male pros, I knew that my bike form was not here for this race. I rode the end of the bike with Thomas and we
spoke about how crappy the race was going for both of us. Either way I was going to have a nice run and
enjoy my time in CA. Off the bike I
headed onto the run which is mostly trails and many steep hills through the
park. The heat was getting to me today a
lot more than usual and I could tell that the cough and cold I had the days
prior was the issue here. I ended up
walking and taking a nature break on the run, neither of which I have ever done
in a race before. I finished the race
about 10 minutes slower than my previous time here, it was hotter this time and
my form is really not there yet. I could
come up with a list of excuses none of which are really that relevant now, but
the bottom line is I had fun racing at Wildflower and my form will come later
this season. Brian raced the next day in
the Olympic race dominating the swim and most of the race in the age
group. It was nice to hang out with him
this weekend and spend some time in CA again this year.
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