If you do Wildflower, it’s not just a race… it’s a whole experience.
I didn’t camp but I think in the future I would at least once in order to FULLY
experience Wildflower weekend. Oh yeah… and maybe check out the course at least
once before racing it??
After making my lists and packing my designated post-race,
transition, food & “everything else” bags, and checking them twice… ok 8
times… then pulling back in the driveway for just one more check, I was off on my solo dolo road trip to the
hot/cold/rainy/dusty/windy weather in Bradley, CA (Lake San Antonio). I realize
now that with multiple bathroom breaks & the amount of times I listened to “Girl
on Fire” by Alicia Keys, it probably would’ve ended in a solo trip anyways. Up
until a few days before the race I was prepared & packed for the predicted
95◦ dry heat, but then had to re-pare for 65◦, 30mph winds and possible rain. From
what I hear this race is one extreme or another, which is completely believable
considering the Mountain Bike and Long Course racers had mid-80s weather with
wind, & us Olympic racers never even saw the sun. I have to say though; I’ll
take the high winds over high temperatures any day. Even on my easy bike ride Saturday
& making the post-tri journey up the dirt hill, I don’t know how I could’ve
raced in that dry heat! WELL DONE, Long Coursers. (Pun intended? Kind of?)
I felt infinitely better seeing my fellow SB Tri friends and
engaging in as much pre and post race talk as possible before heading back to
my quiet night of gluten-free pizza and living room yoga to prep for the race. (I
don’t have Celiac’s, but I’ve been training & eating mostly gluten-free and
vegan & have been feeling really good.) After my neurotic self checked
everything a few more times & laid out my clothes & equipment for the
next day, I fell asleep a little easier (in my quiet air-conditioned house)
after seeing my teammates & getting some last minute advice and support.
This was my first race without having a friends & family cheer section; so once
AGAIN, you rock my socks SB Tri.
My first thought the next morning was “ohhhh crap” as I
looked out the window & saw only grey cloudy sky and high winds. Second
thought: “am I really going to do this race today?” followed momentarily (&
speciously) by… “YUP. It’s really happening”. I grabbed my strategically packed bags &
headed back to the SB campsite to walk down to the transition area with everyone.
I set up my transition area & realized I forgot my sunglasses in my car,
which was more annoying than anything because to get from the transition area
back to the cars you have to walk up & down a very steep dirt hill (this is
the secret “Extra Credit” part of the race!) But looking back I was actually
thankful for the distraction and an extra 30min of my time that I didn’t plan
for because my start time was at 10:15AM!!! SO LATE. Not a huge fan that the
females have to wait for every male wave to go before we get to start racing. I
spent a good amount of time walking up & down the transition areas in my
pre-race daze, just allowing myself to feel whatever I needed to feel & to
take in as much as I could before jumping in the lake. I had a moment about 20min
before my wave start where I got really teary & my mind turned on me saying
“just go home” , “why are you doing this?”. Thank you Hyacinth and Mike for happening
to be on my way to the start line & for your hugs and encouraging words!!
OK, so here we go with the ACTUAL RACE REPORT. I’m just following suit with my race &
being long-winded! (woooomp wommmp.)
SWIM (1500m, 41 min):
They let us get in & splash around for a minute before starting… I gotta
believe there is a LOT of pee on that shore. I started off full of nerves per
usual, but swimming in a lake is soooo much easier than the ocean and the water
temperature was actually warmer than the air which was nice. Once I made it
past the first few buoys, I was able to get into my ‘Zen zone’ & stay there
for most of the swim. I was stoked and LOVING the swim because I was able to
stay with my pack & even passed some people! I finally felt like “ohhh
yeah!!! Now we’re racing!” I kicked and got kicked by a lot of racers, and even
got my goggles knocked off & my contact dislodged on the way back into the
swim exit. I’m not sure if the run up the launch ramp counts as the swim time
or as part of T1? Either way, I was really happy with my swim and
simultaneously happy that it was over!
BIKE (40k, 2:04hrs): DO NOT UNDERESTIMATE THIS BIKE
COURSE. I’m still afraid of downhills,
but I can climb up the hills like a champ. I was very conservative the first
few hills because I knew I’d have to climb everything twice (out & back
course) but was still able to pass a lot of people. Although, my victories were
very short-lived because all the same people passed me on the downhills. Also a
few times going down I had to grab my breaks because the crosswinds almost
knocked me over. I felt really strong the first half & was averaging about
18mph & thought “yeah it’s not easy but a lot easier than I thought!” And
then… at the turnaround point thought “oh crap” (again) after being hit with a
huge wall of wind. The second half of the bike was really tough and I slowed
way down (13-14mph) & fell way behind in the ranks. Wind + hills = Erica’s
butt kicked. Racking my bike in T2 was the best part of the day.
Before exiting T2 I plopped down at my transition area to eat
my Clif bar while putting on my hat (which was pointless because it kept
blowing off!) & shoes. My level of caring about my time was zero. That blueberry
sugary goodness was the only thing in the world that mattered to me for those
few precious minutes of rest. I assure you that I’m not exaggerating.
RUN (10k, 1:03hrs): If you don’t know, I have a bad shin
splint in my left leg that has greatly hindered my training since the LA
Marathon. I wore a calf compression sleeve during the race & just hoped for
the best or at least a pain that was tolerable for 6 miles. I’m shocked &
beyond grateful that I ran with NO PAIN!! I wasn’t in the best running shape so
I could only keep a 10min mile pace, but was so happy just to be running. I had
to walk a few steep uphill parts & stopped at each aid station for water. The first 5 miles are uphill… but it’s mostly
dirt which makes for happier feet & legs. Then, the BEST part of the whole
race was the last DOWNHILL mile!! LAST MILE. DOWN HILL. YES. I effortlessly
kept an 8min pace on the hill & finished strong and smiling.
I am a Wildflower.
Would I do it again? You know I would. Today I’m a little
mentally checked out, not too sore, & filled with so much big love from my
tri club, fellow racers and all the Cal Poly volunteers who did such an awesome
job! MUCH THANKS. Without as much training as I would have liked to have &
not knowing the course, my shin, the weather, etc etc I’m really happy with my
3:57 time. I know what I need to work on, & can now focus on continuing to
get better, faster, stronger and ready for Vineman 70.3 in July!
