I could probably write a book about the wonderful Wildflower experience, but I will try to sum it up in this blog entry.  Perhaps most would say that it was not a true Wildflower experience since I opted to stay at a hotel in Paso Robles, and not at the campsite which makes the race so unique.  When I registered for the race back in December, I was planning on camping out with TCSD.  But as it got closer and after a weekend at Vail Lake in March, I knew it was not so wise for this first Oly timer.  I needed every advantage: sleep, food, place to lay out my gear and a hot bath.   

We dropped off our boys, Watson and Benson, in Los Angeles at my mom's on Saturday am and arrived in Paso Robles before noon.  After we checked in and dropped off our gear at our beautiful hotel suite with a kitchen, we drove to the race site to pick up our packets.  To our surprise we saw numerous Long Course riders riding up Interlake Dr.  And even more surprised when they let us drive up the road.  The riders were miles away from mile 56 and it was obviously difficult for each rider going up hill.  I cheered them on as we drove passed them.  I then realized I am glad I was not them and that I am only doing 25 miles.  We reached the race site and it was huge and beautiful.  Lots of people, cars, booths, music and non-stop beauty everywhere;  The lake, and hills filled with flowers.  We picked up our packets, watched the race and cheered on the runners a mile away from the finish line.  Again, it was obvious they were hurting at mile 12 and I told myself that I was only doing 6 miles.  It didn't seem so bad after all and I had an idea of what my race would be like the next day.  I made a decision then and there that no matter what happened in my race, that I would do the Wildflower long distance next year.

As we drove back to the hotel, I promised (and reminded) myself that I was going to have fun.  I actually could not wait to be in the midst of the surrounding beauty of Lake San Antonio.  I found myself relaxed and for the first time, slept before a race:  No pre-race jitters.  On race morning, I woke up at 5 am, got dressed into my TCSD gear, ate breakfast, and loaded up the car and on our way by 6 am.  We parked which is I am told 1 mile from the race site.  Tim, a volunteer, offered to help us with our bags while we walked our bikes down and at that moment, I knew it was going to be a good day.  It definitely was.  

My strategy was to have fun-enjoy the water because it's the best part of the race, take it very easy on the bike and save my legs for the run.  There were 25 waves and I was number 20.   I waited for everyone to go in (as ususal) and I just began to swim with ease.  I reminded myself over and over of what my masters coach told me for months about my stroke and what Les my tri coach recently told me in my last session with her.  I did not want the swim to end;  It felt so good.  I veered off course a few times, but the volunteers stopped me from going way off (as I usually do).  

I ran into transition and onto the bike.  I had a luna bar and drank soda.  I heard about Lynch hill, but you really don't know til you actually experience it.  I was hating every second of that first one mile hill.  I got through it and the rest did not seem so bad.  I reminded myself that if I could do that first mile, then these other hills are doable.  I was not going to walk my bike up.   I took very easy, so easy that I forgot I was in a race.  It felt more like a group ride.  I was enjoying the views even if it meant being passed up left and right.  I had a game plan and I was sticking to it.  I ate a luna bar and drank lots and lots of gatorade. 

After the 25 mile bike ride, I remembered that it was a race and I had to do a 6 mile run.  My legs felt great, but I just was not looking forward to it.  I had a bite of a luna bar and took my fuel belt which contained soda and gatorade.  I quickly started to chat it up with a few other runners thinking that it would help pass the time.  But I felt the pace was to slow so I went on my own.  So many walkers and I knew walking was not an option for me.  All I had to do was not walk and I gained so much ground.  I think that motivated me because at one point up the big hill near the halfway point, i was the only one running up.  I got so much support that it made me not want to stop.  Also, I represent the TCSD by wearing its gear so I can't be seen walking.  I felt as though I was getting stronger and stronger as I neared 8k.  I picked up my pace and when I saw the 9k marker, in my mind, I finished my first olympic distance tri race.  I was elated and on cloud nine.  I continued to pass other runners and i could not believe it.  When I reached the chute, I was told that I had 400 meters to the finish line.  My smile only grew bigger and I was told that I was making it look too easy.  I passed a few more people in the  chute.  There were two more people in front of me and I thought about it.  But my muscles for the very first time of the race held me back.  The thought of stopping shy of the finish line because of my muscles failing me flashed in my mind and that thought scared me.  I finished feeling so good.

My original and ambitious goal after viewing last years results was 3:45-3:50.  I wanted to be front of the back of the pack or back of the middle of the pack.  As the race drew closer and I did not feel as prepared, my goal was to just finish. 

My 2008 results:  1.5k swim:  37:37; 40k bike: 2:00:16; 10krun:  1:02:07 Overall time: 3:49:50. 

Below is a picture taken by a fellow TCSD member of me in the final 400 meters to the finish line.  Courtesy of C.Flynn.