The Big Race, Wildflower 2006

Late in coming, but here is the story of my race...

Race day dawned and I awoke to sunshine and butterflies (those were in my stomach). Since we have been training in so much rain, the sun is nice, but I started to worry it was going to be a bit hot. Still I tried to relax, ate my usual breakfast, and mentally prepared for the race. Then I got changed, gathered my gear, and headed with my teammates down to set up our transition area. The transition area was abuzz with over 2500 athletes all methodically placing their gear, doing their pre-race rituals, liberally applying sunscreen, and making continuous trips to the bathroom (you don’t want to have to stop during the race). I was one of these many. I was definitely more relaxed this time then in races past, but still had a bit of an anxious feeling. It was mostly around the waiting. I was ready, pumped and energized, and I wanted to go. I didn’t want to loose that feeling in the hour and a half before my wave started. So I tried to stay busy without wearing myself out. Luckily the time flew by and soon I was squeezing into my wetsuit and heading to the start. I got the last round of good luck wishes from my teammates, headed into the water to get acclimated and did a few warm up strokes. Then I found my spot in the middle/back of the pack, took a look across the course and readied for the gun. 10:30am sharp it fired and I was off for the swim in my third triathlon.

The Swim
As you all know the swim is not my favorite and I have struggled here in races past. I worked a lot on swimming this season, taking extra trips to Aquatic Park to increase my comfort and confidence in the water. I was excited to see if it paid off. I headed into the water with the throng of people, all fighting for the same few feet of space. I tried to keep my cool and just swim as best I could and keeping an eye out for an opening. The course made kind of an L shape through the lake, so I was hopeful that the group would spread out at the first turn, thankfully it did. Then I was able to get into my rhythm and just focus for the duration. There was only one little snag. The buoys were to stay on our right and at practice they were always on our left. So when I was sighting I was drifting over and had to correct myself a few times. One time I was just a hair too late and actually head butted the buoy. Luckily they are the soft inflatable kind so it just startled me. But my focus held and I was right off again. As I was swimming a remarkable thing happened. I realized I was actually enjoying this! The water was cool but not frigid like the bay, there was no real current, and I felt like I was gliding smoothly and quickly through the water. Woooo Hoooo! Before I knew it I was headed for the boat ramp, I put my feet down, and ran out of the water, starting to take off my cap, goggles, etc. I looked up at the clock and had to do a double take, 36 min… My goal was 45 so I am beyond thrilled! I wave at my cheering teammates and head into the transition.

The Bike
The sun was really beating down now so after I stripped off my wetsuit and dried off a bit I liberally sprayed sunscreen all over. Then I put on my shoes, gloves, and helmet and headed out of the transition area. Wildflower is considered the most difficult course in the US. One of the biggest reasons was looming in front of me, Lynch Hill. The first mile and a half of the bike course is straight up a fairly steep hill; just to make sure those legs of yours are awake. So I put the swim behind me and refocused my efforts to charging up that hill. I had decided to go pretty hard up the hill, get the blood pumping, and then I can settle into my pace at mile 2. So away I went. I passed a lot of people on the hill; a few had even got off and were walking. After cresting the top my legs were on fire, but I felt alive and pumped about the rest. Then I settled into my pace and prepared for the next 23 miles, one hill at a time. The bike course climbs a total of 2200 feet, which means every time you are getting the feeling back in your legs; it is time to climb again. Of course there are some fun downhill’s too where you can pick up a bit of speed. I was shifting down and settling in for the third climb when my chain slipped off and I was going nowhere! I got off my bike, moved to the side of the road, tried not to panic, and put my chain back on. It is a bit tricky by yourself to hold the bike, get the chain in position, and turn the crank so it catches. You really need 3 hands. But after a few attempts I got it to catch. Of course now I was covered in chain grease, which I don’t mind but it made the idea of eating my cliff blocks with my hands a little scary. Since I am always prepared for the worst, I had handi-wipes in my Bento box. I pulled one out, tried to quickly clean my hands enough for eating, and get back on the road. Now of course I am half way up the hill starting from a stopped position. I know it is going to hurt, but I want back in the race so I stand up in the pedals, pump hard, and make it to the top. I am not sure how long I lost due to my chain, I am more concerned about getting refocused on the race, and hoping it doesn’t happen again. The next 8 miles were a real struggle. My gears were shifting poorly, it often took 2-3 tries for them to catch. I was worried about shifting into the lowest gear for the hill and having the chain slip again, so I powered up a few in a harder gear. After the turn around point (and half way), it seemed to be catching a bit better. Thank goodness as I needed to focus on this climb. The next 4-5 miles is a gradual uphill, with a steep bit at the end. Luckily the route is very beautiful, green rolling hills and wildflowers all around. It was time to take my mind off my struggles and enjoy the day. I stopped worrying, and just relaxed and the rest of the bike flew by. So despite my little setback, I really enjoyed the bike. I was feeling tired, but very good as I flew down Lynch Hill and back into the transition.

The Run
Oh, last transition, my legs are really tired. I was expecting the jello feeling, but this is even more. Just trotting my bike to the transition spot felt like a huge effort. No worrying, just focus. I changed shoes quickly, applied more sunscreen as it is now blazing out and there is no shade on the run; I put on my hat, and dumped some water on my body. Then headed out for the last piece of the race. Friends and teammates were there again to cheer me on and I felt good, pumped, and ready to tackle the last bit. The run is usually my favorite part and I was feeling ready to challenge the 5 miles of uphill, 1200 feet of climbing, then that last mile and change downhill. Heading out of the transition I felt good, then I had to run up a flight of stairs and onto the trail. I am not sure if it was the changing ground, or the stairs, or the last 25 miles of biking, but my quads started to cramp really bad. This has never happened to me before, and I was a bit worried. They were so tight I felt like I couldn’t lift my legs, and every step was painful. Oh no!!! I cannot do this for 6 miles. I knew the first aid station was just before mile 1, so I decided to gut it out to there and look at my options. Once there I took 3 Enduralite pills (salt tablets), drank a cup of water, and stretched. I figured whatever time it cost would be worth it if my legs would work. When I tried to stretch my quads my hamstrings would cramp. This just wasn’t working. So I decided there was only one thing to do, just keep going. If it didn’t feel better to stop I might as well run and get this thing over with. So off I went. I ate more cliff blocks wondering if maybe my electrolytes were down, and pressed on. Every aid station was a slice of heaven as I was able to get water to drink and people were hosing us down. Did I forget to mention it was 1:00pm, blazing sun, 85 degrees, with heat radiating off the asphalt. Yeah, big fun! The good news is my legs eventually relaxed a bit and stopped being so painful. But throughout the run the cramping came and went. Luckily there were tons of TNT supporters along the route cheering and encouraging us upward and onward. I passed several of my teammates walking, but never stopped myself. I had come too far to give up now. So while I was hot, tired, and hurting, the feeling of how hard I had worked, my mentees who I had helped, and all of the people rooting for me really pushed me on and I found I was smiling again. After what felt like ages I crested the top of the hill and prepared to head down Lynch Hill one last time. It is a steep downhill run for about a mile, then flattens out to the finish chute. I knew it was going to hurt, but I relaxed and just let the hill take me, picking up speed as I went down. I tried to maintain a bit of a quicker pace into the chute. Then comes the greatest sight in the world, the finish. Friends and teammates were cheering, and I could see the end. From somewhere deep I found a few more ounces of energy and flew down the chute to the finish line. My roommate was trying to run beside me for a bit and she said she couldn’t even keep up. The last few steps and I was done, happy, smiling, exhausted, hurting, and utterly elated. There is nothing like it. I guess you call it triathlete high. I felt invincible, like I could fly, dance, anything! What a great race!! I got my medal and wet towel, as many cups of Gatorade as I could carry, and went back to the finish chute to cheer my mentees and other teammates in. I was so proud of everyone! I have to say I was proud of me too. Despite my chain problems, legs cramping, and heat draining I had met my goal of under 3:30, I finished with 3:28!!! I headed into the after party with that completely spent feeling. But we still managed to “party” a bit with some beers by the campfire, swapping race stories, and reveling in our accomplishments!

The Cause
Though I did not have to raise money this time as I was helping my 5 mentees do that, our team did an incredible job. As a team we raised over $300,000 for Leukemia Lymphoma Society. The combined TNT participants at Wildflower raised over $1.5 million! I think the most amazing stat I heard that weekend had to do with the Team in Training program. To date they have trained over 22,000 athletes who have raised over $650 million!!!! We truly are making a difference! Thank you to all of my past supporters and those who help in other ways or with other organizations. You are the true heroes!

Swim – 0:36 (1.5K or 1 mile)
Bike – 1:46 (40K or 25 miles)
Run – 0:55 (10K or 6.2 miles)
Total – 3:28 (51.5K)