Wildflower...Tents, Tri-bikes, and one dumb Voly..

[Running Mommy]

Ok, maybe the dumb voly thing was harsh, but well... I dunno...
Having been a voly for many races I can appreciate the thankless hours that go into the job, And I always thank them, because without them I wouldn't be able to race... That being said, if you are assigned to man the intersection that requires you to direct riders to do a double lap, well then you should be on your game.. But more on that later.

So as many of you know, we went out to Wildflower in central Cal last weekend for Tonys (running hubby) first tri. It was to be of the mtn bike persuassion. He adores mtn biking more than anything, so this was going to be a good race. Never mind the fact that he only really started training two weeks ago, he felt confident in his abilities.
We had never been to Wildflower before, so we had no idea what to expect.
Thursday night we headed out for so cal. It's a 9 hour drive total, so we wanted to get a head start. We stayed the night just south of the grapevine, and were up bright and not so early the next morning. I was shocked when I came out to the parking lot of the hotel and saw that someone had left their tri rigs complete with ZIPP wheels (disc and 606) in the back of their truck! We didn't even leave our scroungy mtn bikes in the truck!
So on we roll... ON ON...
We get to the Lake around 1:30 and are directed into a campground. We are told to basically find a piece of ground and take it. Well it took a good 15 minutes of driving before we found a halfway level piece of real estate.
We set up camp, and I noticed that it was WINDY! Hmmm...
We then made our way via mtn bike down to the race registration and expo. Now when I say we made our way DOWN!! I mean down a nearly vertical hill!! I was holding on for dear life, and then the dreaded feeling came on... I have to ride back UP that thing!! DOUBLE EEK!!
Race registration went rather smooth. We then checked out the booths. SPencer pointed out Sarah Rienertsen and the challenged athletes crew. It was cool to see her in person.
We then got to ride up Up UP UUPPP the hill. UGH! Was that not so fun!
Tony got all his gear together for the next morning and then we went back down the hill for his pre race dinner. We were smart enough to take the shuttle this time.
While we ate dinner we listened to the pre race meeting for the mtn bike course. Ummm.... In most races the pre race meeting involves going over the course doesn't it? Well here they were more interested in pulling kids out of the crowd and talking about the locals and long time Wildflower peeps. Tony was not impressed as he was really unsure of where he was going to be going. Also there are 7000 people racing total, so A LOT of racks! Basically they didn't talk about the actual course at all. I guess it's a good thing we had a race program, cause we were going to need it.
It was SUPER windy Friday night, so we basically headed back after dinner and hunkered down in the tent. By now we had neighbors. Now you would think that they would be friendly, since we were all there for a common purpose. Ummm NO! They wouldn't even say hello! And when I say we were neighbors, I mean within a few feet!!! Like 6 feet tops! It was very strange.
We tried to knock off early, but the TNT contigent upwind of us were putting on a banquet and were pretty loud.
Speaking of TNT... (here is my rant. If you are a TNT'er you may skip this part. I don't want to offend. This is simply MY opinion) They had a HUGE banquet tent set up. You know the fancy ones with faux pane windows. And when I say HUGE.. Yeah, HUGE!! They had their own catered dinner that night. It was quite an affair. I couldn't help but think about how many peoples donations went into THAT!! You see that is one of the many reasons I will never support TNT. I'll support the CAUSE. I'm a cancer survivor for cripes sake. But I just think it's wrong to shake down your friends and family for a donation when a good chunk of it is going to "admin" things- or the wetsuit they give you, or the race fee's they cover for you etc. I know most all charities have overhead, but IMO if you are going to raise money for a charity then give the charity the $$ and don't take any kick backs in return. Ok. Rant off. Sorry...
So race morning we get up and at 'em early. Tony doesn't go off until 9:54, but since the long course started at 8:00 he needed to be racked early.
We get down there and he has no idea where to go. An annoyed voly finally yells at him that he had better "get down there QUICK because the long course race has started".. So he goes in and wonders off to his rack. He get's set up and then body marked. We then set off to figure out where he is going to need to be for the swim. That was quite an adventure. Did I say they weren't clear with directions?? We go down near the swim start and realize that there are two different PA systems going. So if you were up top you would not hear your swim waved being called to the start. More than a few guys missed their wave start. Go figure?!
Finally the long course waves are done. Sister Madonna Buder is in there, so we got to see her go off. COOL! But now it's time for Tony.
His wave was the 4th or so to go, so he got to see where he was going to have to turn around. Did I mention they weren't good with instructions?
So off he goes. SPencer and I then ran to the top to wait for him to emerge from the swim.
He came by looking strong! YAY! It was getting windy and the lake was pretty choppy, so I was a bit worried. Remember, he started swimming in earnest 2 weeks ago.
SPencer and I ran at break neck speed to the bike out to see him off. We were cheering like mad dogs! It seemed like forever, but finally he was off.
We then had to run all the way around the other side to wait at bike in.
We were hearing the announcer say that the pro men for the long course should be coming in off the bike in a few minutes. Well one FLEW in, and the announcer missed him. About five minutes later he said "well we should see them any minute now"... Umm, BUDDY! He's ON THE RUN COURSE!! It wasn't until the 2nd guy came in ten minutes later that the announcer caught on...Go figure?!
So the bike course was one big loop, with a small loop in between. Basically you headed in a counter clockwise circle and when you got to about the 9:00 position you veered to the right, did a small loop and then came back out at around the 8-9:00 position and finished the big loop. Well Tony got to the intersection and started to veer right and the voly stopped him and said "No. go this way" and pointed him left. He started to question her and she said "your good". So he headed left and soon realized that he really WAS suppose to go right, because he had missed that loop. So he got to T2 and asked the voly at the mount line what to do. He said "I dunno. Just go run I guess" so Tony went in and lingered a bit in T2 trying to figure out what to do?? He eventually took off on the run, and soon I saw him coming down the finishers chute. We were so proud of him. I didn't know about the bike debacle of course, so I was all giddy. He was NOT! He was PISZED! And wouldn't even wear the medal. He figured he would be DQ'd as Surely they would figure it out... Umm.. NOPE! He's considered and official finisher!
What a sham! All total he cut 3 miles off the 9.73 mile bike course. He feels like he didn't really do the race. I told him "well honey, now you know to question the voly when something doesn't seem right". He acknowledged that iit's his responsibility to know the course. But they sure didn't make it easy for him.
But I keep reminding him that he did SWIM, BIKE and RUN. So he IS a triathlete!!
But it's not much solice to him, so now I need to find him another race STAT!

So the race was over and now we had to walk the bike up this STEEP wling trail. It was another vertical affair. Just what you want to do after a race huh?
We then cleaned up camp and got ready to go. But wait... the roads were closed until 3:00, and the run course for the long course was snaking through our campgound. We finally decided to try to make a run for it around 3:30. The run course was thinning out, and we figured we could slowly coast down the hill and out. We were then met with some RUDE spectators that felt the need to tell us that a "race was going on" and the roads were CLOSED! Ummm, Liek we can't see that, and NO they are NOT! Cars were starting to trickle out. Some lady said "how would you like it it you had been racing for 6 -7 hours and had cars passing you?"... Ummm, I had cars passing me all day and all night at Ironman. It's not like we were going to kick up dust and be idiots! SHEESH!
But finally we were out of there.
Overall I give Wildflower a D+. Tony liked the course, but I just found the organization lacking (after 25 years you would think they would have it down). The logistics of trying to get around a PAIN! Never take your ailing mom or grandma because the hill would do her in! And the mood of the people there not so welcoming. I guess if you were part of a tri club and had a group there it would be different. But overall people were just NOT friendly.
I like the AZ races much better! So from now on I'm staying closer to home!
Dueces wild HERE WE COME!!!

Ok, sorry this was so long. But I wanted to give y'all a good picture of what the "woodstock of triathlon" is really like.
So there it is...
And if you would like to see pics, check them out here:
http://www2.snapfish.com/thumbnailsh...25/t_=49810225

[crazycanuck]

YIKES!!!

Holy Moly! You would think they'd give information on the race on an official website or mail out!

The volunteers saying "I dunno " isn't good enough! I hope there was a breifing for the volys with information provided for them.

You three keep up the good work! Has spencer done a kids try? Is he next or does he play team sports?

Denise,I thought of you whilst at the half IM on the weekend. Can't wait for you guys to experience IMWA
See ya

C

[Tri Girl]

What a mess! I'd always heard that Wildflower was amazing, but sounds like it was a bit unorganized and, well... "different." And strange that people were not friendly!! Any race I've ever been to people are friendly- so maybe Wildflower is NOT the best place to feel that comraderie that I love so much in triathlons. Plus I don't want to camp the night before I race- I need a warm bed and indoor plumbing. At least you did it once, tho, and I'm glad Tony had a good time!!! Give him a HUGE congratulations from all of us!!!



Sorry- minor thread drift here:
And, I'm not being snarky or attacky- but I just had to say this because I felt I needed to (in case others are forming a bad idea of what TNT is). I was not offended, and totally respect your opinion, but want to offer a different viewpoint:
Being someone who has an immediate family member who has directly benefitted from The Leukemia Lymphoma Society after going through leukemia and a bone marrow transplant, I see it differently. I'm a part of TNT. DH and I raised money for them to do the Nike Women's Marathon. 75% of the HUGE fundraising minimum they require goes directly to the charity. To do Nike in '05 with them, my DH and I had to raise a minimum of $6800- $3400 each (which we did easily). They count the cost of flight, hotel, and race entry and multiply that by 4 so that 1/4 is cost and 3/4 of the money you raise is going to the charity. For a local race here, the fundraising minimum is $1500 (and the only cost there is for the marathon entry so more than 75% goes to the charity). Coaches are unpaid, all the supplies they provide at training (gels, gatorade, etc) is bought out of pocket by coaches (here anyway). They try to operate on a minimum budget (and 25% is acceptable for charitable organizations). I figure that for our race $5100 went directly to the LLS, and $1700 went to fly us, house us and provide race entry. I'm OK with that. I've looked at their published financial reports and they are sound.
I agree- just donate money to a charity if you want, but TNT has a purpose of getting people fit while raising money. Can't be all bad...
(please don't get mad at me, I just wanted to point out the opposite side)

[Running Mommy]

No worries tri girl. I still love ya!! I just hope that if you are out cheering for folks at a race you also cheer for those that are wearing other than purple as well. Which "knowing you" as I do, I have no doubt that you are an equal opportunity cheerer..
I guess I have had some bad run in's with TNT folks that have left a bad taste in my mouth. In 2002 at the NYCM I was having a bad race and was behind. The race had run out of gatorade, and I was struggling. I came upon some folks that had set up an aid station for TNT. I asked if I could have some gatorade since the aid stations had run out. I was told "no. this is for TNT only." And at races that I've done that have had a heavy TNT presence I've seen a lot of only cheering for the purple shirts, which bugs me to no end. If you are out there cheering at a race then cheer for EVERYONE.
and FWIW I've raised money for Freds Team, which raises money for Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer center in NYC. They do some great research there. But I sent them the funds and told them that I didn't want any of the swag that I had "earned" by raising $$.

But like I said tri girl, I still love ya! And I guess it's good that they get people off the barkalounger, so that is a plus.

Now as for the race. You know I just don't see where the appeal is? Unless of course you have an RV with full hookups and can shower. The area is not especially scenic. Lot's of hills, and there are some trees. But the campground itself isn't anything great. So unless you were in a big group, it's not all that fun. IMO of course!! It's a popular race, so SOMEONE must like the hassle??

[Tri Girl]

Thanks Denise! I do agree that I hate when they only cheer for purple shirts- it does get annoying!! At the last mary I did there were some TNT stops and they only yelled for "their own" (I don't always do things for TNT, but once or twice a year- the other times I'm NOT in purple). When I'm cheering for "the team" I do cheer for everyone- because they worked just as hard. And HOW RUDE that they wouldn't let you have gatorade. That's not OK, and I can see how that would leave you a little bitter-minded about the organization. They need to change that or they'll get a bad rap and that's not what they need if they want people to support them! Ok- done with my jabber jaw.

I've heard of Fred's Team- pretty great organization! Did you live in NYC for a time? You seem to have so many connections there.

Not so scenic, huh? I thought it would've been prettier at the race site. I mean, if you're going to make it a gigantic campout- at least give me some scenery to look at. I had thought about doing Wildflower some day, but after your report and a couple others I've heard- I may save my race for another venue. Maybe so many people go because it's the biggest? I really hate crowds, so there's another reason to stay away! Stick to those AZ races- those zonies know how to put on a race (and be nice to each other, and give course descriptions, and NOT make you walk uphill...)

[Running Mommy]

I don't understand the draw either?? I guess I could see it "back in the day" when there wasn't much choice, but these days we have lots to choose from.
As for the course, I have to say that it would be WAY too tough for me! Both the long course and Oly courses have some tough climbs out on the bike, and the run course looked tough as well. Lot's of hills in that part of CA that's for sure!!

Oh and NY.. Yes I lived on Long Island for a year back in 1989. I loved it back there, so there is a piece of my heart in NY. If I dont take a trip to NYC at least once a year I get cranky! hee hee

[MINIskirt]

Wow, I'm sorry you had such a bad experience at Wildflower! I'm surprised that it's so popular if it's THAT unorganized!

I have to agree about TNT people only cheering for other TNT. Although our local TNT people have always been friendly. They set up water stands out on the popular trails when we get into 100+ heat. Believe me, it's definitely a welcome sight on a hot day!!

[JenLeath]

[QUOTE=Running Mommy;198363]Ok, maybe the dumb voly thing was harsh, but well... I dunno...
/QUOTE]

I don't think it was that harsh. I really appreciate the volunteers, I try to do it a few times each season myself. But it's frustrating when they aren't prepared. I had a DQ in my second tri. The bike was a loop one way, then another the other way. The course changed the morning of the race due to some construction. I came out of the first to do the second and the volunteer waved me in, he said I had finished the course. I questioned him, he kept waving me in. I was so new to the sport and I have always had a horrible sense of distance. I decided to trust the voly. I was so bummed when I saw the DQ on my results. I wonder how seriously some of them really pay attention.

I hope your DH does some more races.

Jen

[velogirl]

I raced the Olympic relay on Sunday. Granted, I'm a bike racer and this is only the 2nd tri I've done since 2002 (and that was also a relay). One of my teammates has done Wildflower a number of times so we didn't need to rely on the organizers for vital information (since my teammate had the real 411). But I will say I had a positive experience overall. I was able to find everything I needed and my questions were all answered by a staff or volunteer.

We didn't go for the camping but camped because it was a better option for us than a hotel (given the road closures and our late start time). There was a space on the ground and water and a bathroom -- all we needed.

Wildflower is a HUGE tradition for many tri clubs and a big party. If you're not part of the party, you can make your own fun (or join the party).

From a racing perspective, I too had a few concerns, but all-in-all I thought it was well-organized and safe (or as safe as it could be with 8,000 participants and so many newbies from TnT).

The course is definitely HARD. It's billed as one of the toughest courses in the world and I believe it. The ride and run are both hilly mofos! And the heat and wind can contribute to a challenging day.

We'll do it again just because we don't have very many opportunites to do a race like this within a half-day drive.

Lorri

ps -- we won our relay in the masters women age group (and beat the winner of the non-masters women's relay by 10 minutes). see, old ladies can be really fast! I'm not a climber, but I got a 1:24 on the bike leg, the fastest women's relay bike split and one of the fastest women's times of the day, so I'm just thrilled!

[Tri Girl]

Great job Velogirl!!! Congrats on winning the relay. Way to go!!

[Running Mommy]

Great job velogirl!
Yeah, not an easy course AT ALL!! Esp. the first mile of the bike which is pretty much verical! Or for this zonie flatlander anyway!
It's WAY out of my league. I'm not a hill girl!!

I'm glad you enjoyed it. Like I said, if you were with your club then you could make your own fun. But I tried chatting up our neighbors and they just weren't very friendly. Maybe because we had our mtn bikes?? I figured it would be fun with everyone there for a common interest. And something that I'm passionate about nonetheless. But no... I guess we got the duds or something?? Or maybe I still have that warm fuzzy feeling from Ironman, where everyone is SOO welcoming and friendly to one another.

[velogirl]

I wish I'd known you were going. You could've joined our party. We had a big Cinco de Mayo dinner on Saturday night (complete with Pinata) and grabbed all the single campers around us to join us. It was a fun group.

[tangentgirl]

Hey Velogirl, I was out there on the Olympic too! This was my 2nd Olympic tri - I did Pac Grove (flat, nice & cool) last fall. The course was exactly as tough as I thought it would be. The bike course is hilly and beautiful. It was HOT out there, that's for sure. I had a great race, but I was wiped afterwards.

Running Mommy, I'm so sorry your husband got turned around too soon! What a drag. The volunteers out there are all Cal Poly SLO students. My friend used to go there and volunteer and they pretty much spend the weekend wasted. You had to apprectiate the 30+ of them streaking through the campsite on Saturday night though.

I do have to chime in on the TNT stuff here. As Tri Girl mentioned, only 25% of money raised goes to overhead costs like transport and dinners and all that. Many many charities, like, say, the United Way, have been unable to send 75% of donations back directly to their causes. Averages are more like 40-60%. I know that TNT staff works a bunch to negotiate discounts and donations for overhead-type stuff, too. And any friends or family out there with TNTers had to pay for their owner dinner tickets. What may have looked like a fancy meal may have actually cost a lot less than you think.

It sucks that you've had bad experiences with TNT. No Gatorade - wtf?? And I can't talk for other folks, but I cheer for everyone when I'm out there cheering.

[tangentgirl]

Alsooooo...someone was saying that Sister Madonna Buder had to be airlifted out from the long course on Saturday. I looked at her results and she's definitely DNF at the bike. I can't find anything else about this - did anyone hear anything about what might have happened?

[SBR]

Sorry he had such a rotten 1st race, hopefully the next one will go much better.

Hey- saw your mention of Show Low- I'm doing the oly tri- are you too?
(I posted an intro a few weeks back...)
Colleen