Wildflower Triathlon

Seriously? No cutoffs this year at wildflower? I cannot describe how disappointed I am. Last year, I had a faster bike time than my husband, but because of their sexist start strategy, I did not make the bike cutoff, while he went on to finish the race. Also, they ran out of water, which forced me to climb nasty grade with no water in my bottle. I reached out to inquire about a bib for this year, and was told the race director would get back to me about a discount, but he was out of town for several months. When he finally got back to me, they offered me a bib for the original price, which I could have just bought on my own at the time that I reached out to complain.
Sure wish I was racing this Saturday.

Happy 30^th Birthday Avia Wildflower Triathlon!
It was my 3^rd time returning to Wildflower and I was really looking forward to the challenge. I anticipated that this years event was going to be a little more over the top than previous years since they were celebrating their 30^th year anniversary. Sure enough, the festivities and the race did not disappoint.
The multiple races that take place over the weekend always run so smooth. Whether you’re doing the Mountain Bike course, Long Course or the Olympic, it all runs so seamless and without error. Since it was a big anniversary, it seemed that lots of triathletes came to the area to compete and celebrate this milestone with TRI-​California. The park was packed with people and the transition area was pretty full of bikes – more than I’ve ever seen. Plus, Long Course sold out a month or two before the event.
Like previous years, I took part in the Olympic Distance Triathlon and this year and it was still the tough course it had always been. Just because I wanted to make it that much more difficult, I did it with the FLU! You got that right… a fever, headache, body aches, cough — it wasn’t pretty. I still completed the race but I didn’t get a PR, that’s for sure.
Loved the race, loved the course, loved the finishers medal, finishers towel… loved everything about the weekend (except that I got sick).
I don’t recommend ever, ever, ever, ever, EVER doing Wildflower when not feeling 100%. But, I got my finishers medal and I get bragging rights that I conquered the hills of Wildflower even with the flu holding me down.
I’m looking forward to seeing you in 2013!

Long Course 1.2 mi-​swim, 56 mi-​bike, 13.1 mi-​run
Mountain Bike 0.25 mi-​swim, 9.7 mi-​bike, 2 mi-​run
Olympic Distance 1.5 k-​swim, 40 k-​bike, 10 k-​run
Funnest arduous races that involve camping
minus 1 star for lots of waiting around and difficult parking