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

[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!!