Going into Saturday's Long Course race, I was completely in the dark as to how my knees would hold up during the race. 3 weeks ago my knees got injured biking. I could only go a few miles before they would force me to stop. I rested but still found I couldn't make it up hills...and Wildflower is all about hills. Well, I put my knees and the race in God's hands and agreed that I would be happy with any outcome; there's many more races in the year, just go easy, be careful, and look at the "big picture". I set a goal of 5hr 10min (30min faster than last time '93) in the event that my knees miraculously held together.

Clint, Kevin, Doug and I woke up on a cold, overcast morning and prepared for the long race ahead. This 1/2 Ironman distance takes up to 8 hrs. for some people.

GO!! The 1.2mi swim started off like a washing machine of pumped-up, energy-filled, thrashing triathletes as we swam over & under each other to get to the first buoy. I got some good drafts and swam well. 31min. Ripped off my wetsuit, threw it to Cyndie, put my knee brace on and took off on the bike.

This was the challenging part, the 56mi, 3500ft elevation climb, bike leg. I concentrated on my knee and followed the "plan" - use the brace for the hills, take Ibuprofen, and "spin"; don't "hammer". I felt a hand on my back and a little push from Clint as he flew by me at mile 10 ;he had already made up the 5minute deficit for his age group wave! At 1/2 way, I'm averaging 22 mph and eating a power bar, when I see Clint on the roadside fixing a flat! Tough break! Soon enough, though, he again made up the time and passed me at mile 35 (a few "wheel suckers" with him). The "mile 42 hill"! Bikes buzz by me as I stop to put the brace on. I recall 1993 when, despite wearing the brace, my knee still failed me a short distance from the top of this hill, making for a miserable 2nd half. The moment of truth. 3 miles of climbing, concentrating on perfect bike form, remembering my promise - that if my knees go out I won't be angry, but plan for future races to come. Amazingly, I'm passing people, and I top the hill! and the short one to follow, and I'm still at 20.5mph average. I finish off my 2 bottles of Cytomax and more Ibuprofen, stretch out my calves and finish the bike in 1:42.

The 13.1mi, 1100ft elevation climb, run starts off well. I pass Clint at mile 3 (however, he's still 5 minutes ahead), I see some "back of the pack" pros, I eat my "Squeezy"s at miles 4,6,8 and 10 and take Ibuprofen, too. I notice some of the aid station volunteers at mile 4 have decided to go topless. I get a sharp cramp in my left calf on a steep hill at mile 5 but it goes away on the downside. Mile 6 I begin planning for the last big hill where I'll make my move...the same place I had to walk 2 years before. Mile 10, the hill! I see Clint, Sean, and JD behind me. I push the hill, passing Warren Scott (my knee doctor), Kit (my teammate), and a lot others. Only 400 yds. to the top and a sudden stomach cramp grips me with pain and I have to walk. "Come on, Troy" from Dr. Scott gets me going. It hurts every step. At the top, mile 12, I stop but everyone yells "You can't stop, it's all down hill!!!" I close my eyes, look straight up to stretch the stomach and pound out the long steep mile to the bottom where the finish is.