The WILD One

It has been a week since I crossed the finish line at the one and only Wildflower Triathlon held at Lake San Antonio in beautiful California. My goals for this event were pretty simple- complete my first elite race, enjoy the festive atmosphere and have a solid performance. Turns out I exceeded my own expectations.

I had been steered toward this race for several years and decided I could wait no longer after hearing all of the fantastic reports. Dubbed the Woodstock of triathlon, Wildflower is an iconic race trademarked by its challenging course and hostile takeover of the entire San Antonio Reservoir Recreation Area. This uniqueness often draws a competitive crowd, as well as party-ready spectators and participants. SOLD!
Another selling point for me was that the Wattie Ink Elite Team had named Wildflower as an official team event, which meant that several of my fellow Wattie Ink teammates would be in attendance. Ooooooh...Saturday night will be fuuuuuuun!

The Wildflower course is notoriously hilly, which makes it an "honest" race. Many fellow athletes applauded my bravery for choosing such a course for my elite debut. At the elite athlete introductions the evening before the race, Bob Babbitt and Michellie Jones both chanted, "virgin, virgin..." in a friendly but taunting fashion. Hmmm...

(Photo Credit: Tri-California Events)

Despite the warnings, TriCalifornia Events made it the easiest challenging event I've ever experienced. The impeccable hospitality practiced by TriCal staff and volunteers was above and beyond anything I had anticipated. I also felt incredibly welcomed by my fellow pros, which aided in calming my new-kid nerves.

Now I could go on and on about the race, analyzing every step in this post. If I did that I fear you'd become glazed over by the third sentence so I'll focus on the highlights (good, bad and ugly)

• First and foremost- I met all of my aforementioned goals: completed the race while managing to have fun and soaking in the incredible energy along the way, and I feel I had a solid performance.
• Crummy swim. Ugh, coming into T1 and seeing my trusty steed all by its lonesome with only one other bike was tough!
• Fighting through negative thoughts and energy on the bike. That swim hung with me for about 35 mi of the bike in the form of a constant reader board of berating thoughts running through my head. "How embarrassing, Erin, you can do better." or "Jeez, you're lightyears behind the other ladies." 
• And now for one of my best strengths- staying positive! Each time that little devil on my shoulder would start it's B.S. I would shut it up with some uplifting retort, "Focus, it's not over, just execute, you got this!"
• EUROSTAR!!! 'nuf said. 

(photo credit: Chris Masilon)

• First time racing with power. I have been working with coach Bob "Flanny" Flanigan with Central Virginia Endurance and was intent on sticking to our plan of being patient on the bike. He had advised me to resist the urge to drill myself on the hills by attacking (which has been my approach in previous years) and to really focus on the target watts. It paid off and I was relatively fresh for the run.
• No injuries!! I have battled some knee issues over the past several years that have yet to be firmly diagnosed. But I have my own diagnosis: a pain in the ass. Just when I think I've got it licked, here comes Mr. Evil Knee Fairy. Not this time! 
• No worries nutrition. My nutrition plan once again worked perfectly, and I managed to avoid meltdown even in the unseasonable heat.

(Photo Credit: Finisherpix)

Complacency doesn't really suit me. So it is difficult for me to be totally stoked with my performance when I know I can do better. That said, I cannot think of a more perfect debut into the elite field with the ideal atmosphere and course for me to cut my teeth into a new world of racing. I cannot thank the Wattie Ink sponsors enough for their support: Blueseventy, Speedfil, ISM Saddles, Powerbar, and KSwiss. I couldn't have done this without the support of my amazing friends and family, my local group of tri-geeks at Tri Town, Flanny at CVE and all of the amazing organizers and volunteers from TriCal events! Also congrats to Heather Jackson and Jesse Thomas on incredible repeat victories!

Onward and upward...