Wildflower Long Course

^DISTANCE:  1.2miS - 56miB - 13.1miR

^TEAMMATES:   John Dougery. Linda Graham, Mechel Henry, Kathy Hoerber, David Hover, Tana & Dale Jackson, Kevin Kennedy, Lynne Rosser, Jack Rosser, Reid Swanson, Tom Werner, Scott Witthoff, Steve Woo,  Scott Zavack & Rochelle Zolna

It's a Beautiful Day

We wake up to a chilly, but beautiful, morning (so different from the cold rains of last year).  On both of our bikes is a black ribbon and picture of our friend and coach, Alan Liu, who was to do this race as his first 1/2 Ironman, but was killed while cycling by a drunk driver on Easter morning.

Transition Area

Our transitions are set up. We do a warm-up run (Robin ~1mi, me ~.7mi)  My heel has been hurting more lately and yesterday, during a 100 yd jog, it hit pain level 10, forcing me to stop and limp.  I'm now wearing some old training shoes with my orthotics since they won't fit in my racing shoes.  I should of warmed up more on the bike and run...

Thinking of Alan

Robin is positive about the race and not afraid about the tough course.  However, the thought of Alan not being here to do his big race brings tears to her eyes.  The last time we were all here was a training wknd in March.  We swam the long course for practice and I remember wondering why Alan was up front one minute and in the back the next.  He was staying with Leonie who stopped periodically because she was nervous about the swim.  He was always looking out for others

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The Power of Prayer

In the middle of 2400 athletes hustling to get body marked, warmed up, and stretched out; Tana, Dale, Robin & I meet at a spot to pray together about the race, Jill's recovery, and positive affects Alan's passing can have on us as Christians.  We know we have a responsibility to share with others, for our time in life is short and unknown.  We all wrote "For Alan" on our swim-caps.

Troy's Swim

Before I start, the pros are already finishing and we can see our favorite, Linda Gallo, win the $400 swim preme!  I get a short warm-up in the 5min between waves and line up left.  Go!  I swim pretty straight.  I can't find a draft.  Maybe on the way back.  Some boats are causing waves and that always helps me.  I surge forward when I feel the swells.  At the turn I look for toes to latch onto, but instead see caps of all colors except for the wave I'm in.  The whole swim is solo for me.  It may be slow.  And haven't trained as much.  But I finish in good time! 30:36.  Running up, I hear my name from the spectators.

Robin's swim

She lines up on the left also.  Go! She's in the 2nd pack of girls for her wave.  Mainly working with 2 girls close in speed.  She keeps dodging the men in front, but always finds a good way around.  She thinks that God must be helping her get through w/out getting hit like others complained.  She finishes in the top 10!  Takes her wetsuit off quickly at the bottom and heads to transition where she's known for wasting little time.

Troy's Bike

Beach Hill is tough as ever!  Out to the 20mile mark is a tail wind and feels good.  I battle another guy, back and forth, we're passing others pretty good.  Then John Dougery goes by with a "Come on, Baby!" at 15mi like we're sitting still!  He rockets by with a big smile.  Man, he can ride!  The guy behind me comes up and says, "That guy's putting out some watts!".  I ride hard until I can't see John anymore.  On the backside I'm having some comfort problems, especially 36-38mi.  Nasty Grade was tough!  Did real good the last 8mi, but couldn't break 2:40. 

Robin's Bike

She heads up Beach Hill and is feeling good.  Wonders where Tana is and knows she'll be passing soon.  Yep, at mile 15 Tana catches her and goes by.  It helps Robin get going since the fast female bikers were gone and mainly just men are around.  It's nice to have Tana to focus on for a while.  Nearing Nasty Grade at mile 42, a screw falls out of Robin's shifting, causing her gears to get stuck in the small cog (hardest one). She has to hold it up manually when climbing.  But right at the big hill the shifting starts to hold and she's able to climb it fine!  She's flying down the long descent at mile 45.  Now for the tough part.. the last 8mi.  But she has a burst of energy and is flying by the guys.  I actually see her come into the park right behind Tana as I'm running at mile 7.  She comes into transition right with Tana and they run out together. She's also right with Jordan Cantwell.  Tana and Jordan had the fastest bike splits (2:55,2:56) of the group.  But Robin's good swim kept her with them.

Troy's Run

"Ok, you always do pretty good in the heat and you know your legs feel better as you go".  I'm staying positive about the 6:50 pace goal. The heel's getting bad quick.  Feels sketchy.  Try to use rt. leg more.  At mile 3, though, I start feeling the heat.  Wow, it feels hot, but I know it's probably the same as usually, but that I didn't prepare well enough for it.  At 4miles I start the hills.  My heel is causing me to compensate a lot.  Half way up, my hamstring behind my knee goes!  Same thing happened in 2002!  Reluctantly I walk.  Super hot.  Not fun.  But I pray.. and it doesn't get miserable (thanks, God!).  There's a female pro walking also.  She has a friend in the race walking with her.  I encourage her while at the same time reminding myself, "God always has a plan, just stay faithful and joyful with any and all results".  I get to the meadow and running well again.  But it feels tough and lonely out here.  I pour lots of water on me.  Running along the road, I look for Robin coming in with the cyclists.  I want to tell her to forget the run plan we made so that she's not discouraged with slower pace the heat creates.  At 7mi I see Tana ride by, and then Robin! But so quick I only get her name out.  I'm feeling better running through the camp grounds and think I can make up some time.  I'm about 8min off my plan.  Slight climb at 9 miles.  The hamstring twinges again forcing me to baby step up the road.  Losing more time but remaining happy and encouraging.  I run as fast as I can down to the Mile 10 turn-around not knowing if I'll make it back up the hill very well.  I see Scott Withoff and John Dougery ahead and moving fast. I concentrate on form, trying not to compensate for the very painful heel.  Hoping for the top, hoping for the top.  I'm over, and running very well along the last mile before the big descent.  I see Steve Woo, Muddy Waters.  Down the hill to the finish.  Whew! Great to be done.

Thinking Back

Even though my race wasn't tops, I was excited about God helping me in the run to keep it from becoming miserable. It could have gotten bad, but I actually felt pretty good in the last few miles. 9th place is pretty good for me; close to my top 5 goal. The swim went perfect. The bike was good but a few minutes off, no excuses, just didn't go fast enough. I was excited about the Run but was off about 10min there. The heal pain slows me down but builds my character, makes me a better person :) Looking forward to next time :) It's a blessing being able to keep trying and having God as a coach. Even the rough races make us better and appreciative.

Robin's Run

Tana encourages her to stay with her.  Robin says, "I'll see you later", but still tries to keep her in sight for a while.. it helps.  Tana motors on, always smiling, to capture the fastest run split of the group by 4 minutes, and 2nd place  (Jordan Cantwell falls back and eventually gets 5th).  It's getting hot.  Robin's feeling tired.  At mile 4 the hills start.  She's feeling pretty bad.  Say's to herself, "Gotta keep running up the hills, no walking".  She does run.. but slowly.  Down into the meadow.  Now she feels overwhelmed by the heat.  She stops to walk for a minute.  "Ok, just go to next aid station and you can walk".  She pour tons of water on herself at the station.  And again at the next.  Now she's feeling better and doesn't have to walk the stations anymore.  Picking up the pace.. she's feeling stronger.  But she waits for girls to pass as there must be many back there.  1 does pass her at mile 8.  Lara Cooper (she finished 3rd).  At 8-1/2, Robin sees Troy recovering from his race.  He yells "Forget the plan and just run your race" since the heat was too much for the planned 7:50 pace they agreed on.  But Robin already knows the plan was out the window.  It's just about  survival now.  Down to mile 10.  Now the last big climb back up.  She remembers Troy saying the last mile is nothing.. just get to mile 12 and you're done.  She's there!  It's all down hill.  She's trying to keep it in control on the steep mile descent.  She feels the last 3rd of race was strong.  She feels so good to be done.  And she's thankful God gave her a 2nd chance during the run to feel good again.  She's completely happy and content with her finish

and doesn't expect a placing. 

But she's 4th!  Out of 5 Half Ironmans, this ties her highest placing, but at the same time is the slowest overall time. 

Because of the tough course, however, this is her best race yet, and it was very exciting!  Good boost for her remaining Ironman training until 6/27.

Tana's Bike, Run, and Finish

Dale's Swim, Bike and Run

Fun, but Fast, triathletes, Kevin & Rochelle, Display Their Medals while Amir enjoys the day before his race
 

Long Course Results

In Long Course club competition (top 3 male, top 3 female) Team MVM was 2nd out of 7!

The top 3 male/female athletes for Team MVM were Julian Symonds (Team Sheeper), Chris Weiler (?), Scott Delakovias (?), Joan Ellison (Team Sheeper), Rochelle Zolna (Tribe), and Shelly Moss (Tribe)

In the overall club competition (both days, all members) Team MVM was 3rd out of 43! 

Some Individual Results Below...

Best Friends, Kristin, Leonie, & Robin Reunite at Wildflower Every Year

Britt Howard, Sweet Girl - Fast Athlete
 

Robin & Tina Lount-Pretre

Tribe Teammates, Amir Bakhar and Janet Kikuchi
 

Amir Bakhar & Todd Sprague Sprint From the Swim

Hardest Olympic Distance Race in the Country, and She Does it With Only 1 Leg

Normally a Fan of SpongeBob, Today Leonie Runs Away from Him

Friends Britt Howard and Gary Chan Competing on the Run

Some Words of Encouragement Always Help Before the Race

Delightful Leslie Bull

Karen Saxena: Soccer-mom fits in Triathlons, too!

Everyone Says You Can't Find Anyone in the Swim... But You Just Need to Know What They're Wearing

John Keating Emerges From a Good Swim

Blind Challenged Athletes Proove the Wildflower Swim Isn't So Difficult

Challenged Athletes Lacking Sight but Not Determination!

Helping a Teammate, John Dougery Ends Up Doing the Whole Olympic Distance the Day After Doing the Long Course!

Olympic Distance Results

Again, very hot, at least 100°!  This resulting in 89 DNF's.

Before the race, a large group participated in the 7:15am church service led by Calvary Chapel pastor, Jeff Mitchum. I spoke about Alan and the realization that our days are few and that the greatest comfort we can give anyone is the assurance we believe in Christ and will meet them in heaven.

In Olympic Distance club competition (top 3 male, top 3 female) Team MVM was 1st out of 10! top 3 athletes for Team MVM were Amir Bachar (Tribe), Kyle Welch (Tribe), Ahmet Gokcek (Team MVM?), Stephanie Morris (Team Sheeper), Tina Lount-Pretre (Team Sheeper), Clea Sarnquist (Tribe)

Individual

Jill's good friends and co-workers from Lowney Engineering, Danh Tran, Barry Butler, Erin, and Gretchen, formed Team Tri-Fecta and raised a LOT of money for her rehab by racing for certain time goals which translated into generous donations from many sponsors. Barry Butler raced in place of Jill. Tri-California made the switch with no problem. Barry was only trained for the mtn bike race but stepped up to the challenge of Jill's race.

Some Individual Results Below...