Hello Tribe members
A report on the Wildflower triathlon in California. I am not going into the details of my performance at Wildflower. Wildflower is a great festival and more of an experience than a “race” so I am going to give you information about the festival. I feel very good about my performance given the conditions and constraints, finally had a decent swim, had some bike problems on the course and some bike geometry problems, (not to mention the hill climbs) that slowed me down on the run. If you are interested in seeing my results they are posted here. http://www.tricalifornia.com/index.cfm/Wildflower2008-main.htm Â
The setting: Simply put…. beautiful. The event is called wildflower because the California hills are lightly covered with wildflower patches, surrounded in a sea of different shades of green blowing grass. It is amazing to participate and experience, there were over 12,000 people (7500 Triathletes) at a camp ground 25 miles from the nearest sign of civilization.  When I was riding the course earlier in the week, the winds were up and at the turn around point I could lightly taste the wildflowers in my mouth…. not a “yucky” sensation, more like aromatherapy. The hills are tough elevation changes are long climbs with short fast down hills. The weather was nice all week long, a little windy in the evenings but perfect race conditions.
The festival: Extremely well supported… Run clinics, swim clinics, bike clinics, transition clinics, vendors, pro interviews (Chris Lieto, Sam McGlone) with question and answer sessions. Organizations, Team in training, “The Duke” John Wayne Cancer research center, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Bike makers ( I actually met the owner of Beyond Fabrications who makes Herb’s, Julian’s, and Lucas’ Bike) Specialized, Felt, Cervelo,  Triathlon clothing makers like 2XU and so on. It was nice to see so much equipment and actually touch materials and not just look at them on the Internet.Â
Friends: I used to live near the area so it was a home coming of sorts. I saw many people I had not seen in years. A buddy of mine who I used to work with met me there and we raced together. So I recommend going with somebody (preferably some one you like). It is good to talk to your friends at the race and share the memories with as you are there. You will make new friends there, but it is best to share the experience with people you know.
The course was designed by Scott Tinley as a test for pro triathletes and it is a rough test. 3 courses, a Long, olympic and a sprint mountain bike course. There were 2500 triathletes in the olympic race, didn’t check the long or sprint. The courses are tough, Chris McCormick won the Long for the men and Samantha McGlone won for the women. They are phenomenal to watch. It is all about hills and heat, no humidity though which makes a great course. One of my co workers in California did the long course and it was her first ever triathlon. She completed it in 7.5 hours, I was completely impressed. The “Nasty Grade” includes a 5 mile climb of over 1000′ feet (at mile 40) in elevation and that is just one climb in a series of climbs. Whew! Â
The Take Away: I experienced more about the triathlon “community” at this race than any other event I have been too. I have never seen this many Triathletes around each other ever all enjoying ”the moment”.  Everyone was healthy and fit or becoming fitter, families (Husbands, wives, sons and daughters) all alike participating in the races. The biggest take away for me was the number of Challenged Athletes who were competing. I think about how much work it takes for me to complete a triathlon, and what it must take them to complete or compete is simply phenomenal. We had great support from the California Polytechnic University at San Luis Obispo for manning all of the aid stations, college students really know how to fire up an event and at night the campgrounds were alive with laughter and camaraderie. Yes it is a race, but it is more than a race. It gets to the ”spirit” of what makes Triathletes so unique.Â
If you ever get the chance to do this race, go and be a part of it. Train hard in the hills (both run and bike) to be competitive. Or just go to do it and complete it, it was an exhilarating experience to come through the run finish to a multitude of cheering fans. I almost lost it when a Challenged Athlete came through on his hand cycle after spending 7 or so hours on the course. The place just exploded into cheers. It is a great training race (that is why I went); I am recovering this week and have cut my normal training regimen in half. So yes it does affect your training rhythm. I am fortunate to have been there and look forward to returning.
Train Hard and Stay Safe.
Mike
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