Wildflower Race Report
As the day began on this first Saturday in May it slowly became evident that this would be an extraordinary race day. The first clue was the number of people milling around the campground in shorts at 7 in the morning! The water was relatively warm, 68 degrees, and the swim was comfortable. I tried not to think much of my quads burning as I rode up Beach Hill at MILE 1! I mean it IS pretty steep. (clue #2) At mile 6 a young woman and I requested water, as she got hers she STOPPED in front of me which caused me to fall. My legs acted as a barricade to the rider behind me which catapulted him over his handlebars and onto the pavement. I got up, straightened my seat, put my chain back on, apologized to the groaning man and rode on. (clue #3)The cuts, bruises, and mild road rashwould prove to be only an irritation compared to what I was yet to experience. As I rode on there seemed to be many more hills than I remembered. (clue #4) About half way up Nasty Grade at mile 42 I wondered if would even make it to the top. (clue #5)
When I arrived in the transition area, about 1 p.m., it was very HOT and after mile two of the run I realized this feeling of utter misery would not pass. I then decided to try Diana's technique of walking at the water stops . . .while adding on 1000 yardsor so. :((clues #6-#13.1) You know it's a hard race when your goal is 10 min/mile pace!
I'm still not sure why this race was so bad for me but I hope THIS extraordinary day is not repeated. It reinforced what I've said before,"This is toughestcourse I 've experienced in 20 years of racing." (Official Paso Robles temperatures were 93 Sat. and 95 Sunday--It sure felt hotter!!)
My admiration and congratulations go out to my fellow Mad Cow Wildflower Long Course racers. We had a tough day!
- Eric Glaus-4:57-- 4 th in his age group, this former Kona resident was unaffected by the heat.
- Steve Caswell-5:31--without a taper!
- Dave Hamer-5:59--Ironman training is definitely paying off.
- Cary Craig-6:01--Special kudos to Cary for getting 4 th in her age group in her first half in 11 years!!!
- Armand Predietis-6:02--bettered his time from last year-two races at opposite ends of the weather spectrum
- Karin Webber-6:59--kept slugging it out in her usual form
- Fred Biemer-7:00--far from your best but you hung in there to finish!
- LeAnn Nienow--stopped after the bike to prevent further injury to her psoas.