Wildflower Triathlon - Long Course - Triathlon


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Bradley, California
United States
Tri-California Events, Inc.
93F / 34C
Sunny
Total Time = 6h 31m 40s
Overall Rank = /
Age Group = 40-44
Age Group Rank = 0/
Pre-race routine:

Wildflower brought several new changes to my pre-race routine. Most significantly, we camped, which meant adding setting up a tent to the pre-race routine. We got to the camp ground the day before. We set up camp and got registered, and dropped bike off in transition all the day before. Because we were camping, this meant lots of moving around, and it was 95 degrees. That couldn't have been good for me, but made the next morning easier. Just took the shuttle to the swim start without having to worry about racking bike.
Event warmup:

None to really speak of. Got into wetsuit, into the water to test goggles, and away we go.
Swim
  • 39m 22s
  • 2112 yards
  • 01m 52s / 100 yards
Comments:

Had been working on swim at Masters, so was eager to see how it paid off. Felt good on the swim, never really tired out. Was able to get into rhythm and find some feet. Was hoping that my time would be a little faster, but overall, stroke felt good, and stayed on course. Course felt a little long coming back in, Garmin agrees, but you never know with swim courses. Tried to remember to enjoy the swim, since it was relatively cool, knowing that the rest of the day would be really hot.
What would you do differently?:

Nothing
Transition 1
  • 08m
Comments:

Interesting T1A. This was a swim to run transition. 2 mile run to bikes. Very steep boat ramp to get out of T1A. Just walked up, got into shoes and remembered this was going to be a very long, hot day.
Bike
  • 3h 26m 57s
  • 56 miles
  • 16.24 mile/hr
Comments:

Course was very hard. Unrelenting rollers for first part, a stretch of flat that has horrible pavement that made me yearn for more climbing, then more climbing on the back half. Nasty Grade has the rep, but its really the unrelenting climbing of the whole course as a whole that gets you. I felt good on Nasty Grade and the second half of the ride. Did I mention that there is a lot of climbing on this course? I did feel like the training I have been doing paid off as I felt stronger as the day went on. Did have an issue with my saddle coming loose. I rode my road bike with clip ons, and had moved saddle forward. Apparently, didn't get saddle tightened enough. Found bike support just before Nasty Grade. Glad I did since coming off the climb is a wicked fast descent, so good to have a solid saddle under me.
What would you do differently?:

I have to figure out the bike situation before CdA. Do I go with clips, or just ride my roadie in a road position. My toes were bothering me some on the ride, I think result of moving saddle, since that hasn't been a problem before.
Transition 2
  • 02m 23s
Comments:

I'm not sure what I was doing for 2:23. Wasn't moving that swiftly, it was hot and I was tired, but didn't seem like that long. I did stop to get some water and Gatorade before leaving.
Run
  • 2h 14m 58s
  • 13.1 miles
  • 10m 18s  min/mile
Comments:

Who would have thought that I would feel this good about a 2:15 HM? Felt strong almost the entire run. Just tried to keep moving at a sustainable pace. Passed a lot of runners on the hills as I was able to keep running the first 5.5 miles. At that point, there was a very long, steep hill that I was forced to walk some of, also had a brief moment of cramping there too. But was able to work through it, walk the aid stations to get plenty of water in and on me. Had to walk one or two more hills on the backside, but overall, was very happy about how I felt and was able to keep going. Never felt like I was just done.
Post race
Warm down:

Drank a ton of water and Gatorade. Tried to cool down. It was hot.

What limited your ability to perform faster:

Felt like this was a strong race for me. Very hilly course, very hot, and windy. Not a course that I am going to go fast on. But, I felt like the endurance was there. Got stronger on the bike as the day went on. Felt like I was able to pace the run right. Felt strong. As mentioned, need to figure out the bike situation.

Event comments:

Awesome race, awesome experience. One of the few races that matches the energy and experience of an Ironman. Camping adds a level of difficulty, but my wife had a great time with it. Be prepared for the climbing, and the heat.


Profile Album


Last updated: 2014-03-25 12:00 AM
Swimming
00:39:22 | 2112 yards | 01m 52s / 100yards
Age Group: 0/
Overall: 0/
Performance: Good
Suit: Ful
Course: Rectangle course, with start from the dock. Water first 50 yards, and last 50 yards, was so black it was like closely your eyes. Rest of the way was fine.
Start type: Wade Plus: Waves
Water temp: 65F / 18C Current: Low
200M Perf. Good Remainder: Good
Breathing: Good Drafting: Good
Waves: Navigation: Good
Rounding: Good
T1
Time: 08:00
Performance: Average
Cap removal: Good Helmet on/
Suit off:
Wetsuit stuck? Run with bike:
Jump on bike:
Getting up to speed:
Biking
03:26:57 | 56 miles | 16.24 mile/hr
Age Group: 0/
Overall: 0/
Performance: Good
Wind: Strong
Course: Loop, which felt like it was always going up a hill. Even the flat section on Jolon Road was tough with some really bad pavement.
Road: Rough Dry Cadence:
Turns: Cornering:
Gear changes: Hills: Good
Race pace: Comfortable Drinks: Just right
T2
Time: 02:23
Overall: Average
Riding w/ feet on shoes
Jumping off bike
Running with bike
Racking bike
Shoe and helmet removal
Running
02:14:58 | 13.1 miles | 10m 18s  min/mile
Age Group: 0/
Overall: 0/
Performance: Good
This is total time for the 2 combined runs.
Course: Up and down and up and down around the roads and trails in the campground. Did I mention that its up and down? Garmin had it at almost 1500 ft of climbing for the second run. Very hot and dusty combination of trails and road.
Keeping cool Average Drinking Just right
Post race
Weight change: %
Overall: Good
Mental exertion [1-5] 4
Physical exertion [1-5] 5
Good race? Yes
Evaluation
Course challenge Just right
Organized? Yes
Events on-time? Yes
Lots of volunteers? Yes
Plenty of drinks? Yes
Post race activities: Good
Race evaluation [1-5] 5