Wildflower Long Distance Triathlon - Half IM (2)

Hi Guys and Girls back in Singapore,

    Mr Kenneth Kuo and myself went down to Lake San Antonioin Central
California last weekend for the WildFlower Long Distance Triathlon.

http://www.tricalifornia.com/wildflower/2006/

(go under long course - course descriptions and maps to see the elevations
in the course)

     With the blessing of the Tri-Gods, we both manage to complete the race.
Kenneth came in with a spectacular timing of 5.45 whereas I took 7.21 glad
to finish.

    We both left home at Sunnyvale at noon and drove 3 hours down to the
race site. We were immediately greeted by the beautiful pastures, rolling
hills, blue lakes and the treacherous slopes. After finding a decent site to
camp overnight, we proceeded down a 1 mile, 7-8% slope towards the racesite
for registration. Its probably something which you wun see in South east
asia at least. A transition area probably 3-4 times larger than the one in
OSIM, and stalls/booths that stretch a long way. We had to cycled back up
this 1 mile slope back to the race site. Though it offers a nice view, it
gave us a very good idea of what we will be expecting in the entire cycle
leg.

    Following a simple pasta dinner and some race preparations, we hit the
sack early. Though the day temperature linger between 25-30 degrees, it
immediately drop drastically to 5-10 degree when night falls. We kept waking
up in the night because of the cold and woke up at 5 plus to prepare
preparation. By 7, we are heading down to the race site.

    After doing the necessary, we head towards the starting line up and I
realised that my wave has already flagged off. Damn, I jump in and quickly
got my to my way and started the swim. The water is probably 15 degrees
cold, our asses are being freezed off in the morning. The swim was nice, no
greasely shit in the water and no salt lingers in your mouth either. I took
a slow transition in T1, putting on my cycling jersey on top of the tri-top
and don on gloves and arm warmers. Cycling out presents a beautiful sight
and view as we go along the lake. By mile 3, we hit a 10% slope that is a
400 ft climb. had to go down to the lightest gear ratio to go up. and it
wasnt easy, everyone is slowing down to 10-15 km.h. Fortunately I had a
12-27 gear ratio, I dunno how Mr Kuo did it with a 12-25. Please ask him how
he did that.

    The 1st 30km were filled with more massive slopes upwards and downwards,
its draining because of the gradient. By the 1st 30 km, it got me thinking
and wondering whether I could even finish the brutal course. Fortunately for
the 30-60km, it was gently sloping upwards and downwards, pretty much
similar to the course in Desaru. That was the easiest part of the cycle leg.
By mile 40, it is a nightmare. 1000ft climb up at a 8-10 % gradient,
stretching 2-3 miles long. Its utterly disgusting. By then, I was tiring out
really bad, lack of decent training is taking a toll on me. After a mile, I
realised that cramps will set in really quick if I continue going like that,
and I had to push my bike up to the peak of "Nasty Grade". At the top of it,
you can see the beautiful Nacimento Lake and hills on the left and massive
LAke San Antonio on the right. What you see on paper is one thing and this
part is the toughest and the most painful part of the whole course. I told
myself that, whatever it is, I will finish it, with friends and loved one
supporting me at the end, I know I can do it once i finish the bike leg. The
remaining bike leg doesnt offer much ease either, its covered with few
hundred feet climbs and undulating terrain. I was going down a long slope,
probably 10% where I hit a pothole, it kinda took out the sponge on my aero
drink, and I was going way to       fast to stop soon. Kinda don't make
sense for me to climb 100 ft or so at this pt of time, I continued on. The
whole bike leg took 4 gruelling hours with much of it spent on the hills
where progress is really slow and painful.

    I was glad that the bike leg was over and began a slow T2. 5hrs into the
race and the temp began rising quickly, hitting 30 degrees when i started
the run leg. I was afraid that dehydration and lack of nutrition will hit
me, and i brought along more bars and gels. Fortuntately, I had more
opportunities to run in Silicon Valley and its paying off. I didnt suffer as
much in the run leg and not surprisingly, the run route aint flat. I tried
running as much as I could and I tried to aviod cramps by walking up the
long slopes. By mile 6-7, I am still feeling comfortable and I know I will
be able to finish well below the cut-off timing. Probably not a great
timing, but I don't care. Maybe if you guys were there, you wouldn't too. I
took a 2.23 run. with most of the time wasted on walking up long hills. I
was really happy to reach the last mile, and made a slow downhill run
towards the finishing line.
The support from the spectators and friends were awesome. Without those
people cheering you on, its probably a lot harder to finish.

    Technology and Gizmos can't get you through the finishing line. It
doesn't matter wat bike you ride or wat tri-gear you buy. Its the legs
that's gonna carry you through. And legs ain't juz powered by gels and bars.
Its powered by your passion and determination to finish it. Its probably one
of the toughest and most painful race I have ever done, with extremities of
conditions and lack of proper training. Its definitely a race to remember,
but through the years that I have began my life as a triathlete, the
mentality of pushing thru got me thru many other situations and problems in
my life. For the many similar minded people in the team, continue
challenging yourself and don't give up in your life. It serves as a brutal
life lesson to me on Wildflower as to what you can or can't do.

    If you believe, you can do it.

    For the rest of all in SG, train hard and good luck for Port Dickson and
OSIM. Know its holidays now, so enjoy your well deserved breaks.

    Anything is possible.

Alan