Wildflower 2018 Race Recap

The 3 things that have been running through my mind in a loop post-race in terms of learnings/to do's:

1. Cramps

   1. <Update>: Recurring cramps in the quads (inner part of each side, closer to knees) were a result of improper bike fit - seat was a tad too low. Got this sorted right away as soon as my coach figured out what it was.

2. Run

   1. Need to start incorporating trail runs to build run strength on different terrain - aka time to develop some inner mountain goat!

3. Heat

   1. Need to develop heat tolerance - Santa Rosa is going to be HOT; especially when I get to the run segment of the race

Pre-Race

Much the same as last time: woke up, drank water and coffee, ate breakfast, setup transition, etc. Only difference here was I actually took the time to warm-up by jogging with 4-5 short sprints. I surprisingly felt super calm pre-race.

Swim

Focus this time was to avoid people, stay as close to the buoys as possible, swim straight, and STAY smooth (and calm). Honestly the swim was quite enjoyable, water felt great (I think I prefer swimming in a lake since it's not as jolting to the body to taste water that isn't super salty).

Bike

Super fun! I love this course! Packed 4 rice bars w/ PB&J that I pre-made at home before coming to camp at Wildflower. Ate the first bar within the first 25 minutes once I felt more settled (and wasn't sounding like a fish out of water climbing the hills). Second bar I ate at around the 55min mark. 3rd bar I ate around 1:50 mark - just wanted to make sure I got all solids down before Nasty Grade. My aero bars started getting loose as the ride progressed - by the time I hit Nasty Grade I was just praying they'd stay on for the steep descent after. In terms of hydration, I ended up hitting every other aid station for more water. I lost my bottle of electrolytes (Skratch) while riding up Nasty Grade (only was 1/4 full by then), and ended up having to pick up a bottle of Gatorade at the next aid station.

I started to feel a cramp creeping up in my left quad (inner leg, close to the knee) after the steep descent ~ mile 49/50 and just was wary that I might end up dealing with the same situation as Bermuda's T2.

Run

Honestly I was having a ton of fun and was just really enjoying myself up until the run. Was super grateful that my legs didn't cramp up when I dismounted my bike, but I definitely felt cramps creeping up again in the same areas as last race. Once I got through the first 0.25mi of the run I got hit HARD - both quads cramped (especially the inner sides, closer to the knees) and my left hamstring locked up. I ended up leaning against a mound of a hill and tried to hobble through it. This was when 2 girls in my AG ran by me, and I couldn't help but feel a little frustrated at the situation. I downed my 12oz handheld bottle mixed with Skratch and walk-run'd to the next aid station. Once I reached the first aid station I ate a waffle, and drank 4 cups of water + refilled my handheld with plain water. I kept doing this with fluids (throw in some gatorade here and there) for all the aid stations through mile 4. 

Finally started feeling a little better from miles 5-9 and jogged through - at this point I was just focusing on staying cool, and the handheld bottle served more as a way to spray myself with water. Of course by now I've also let go of the fact that I was passed by the 2 girls and just focused on my form + maintaining continuous FORWARD motion. Legs felt pretty hammered here - like I did a really long wall sit or something.

Mile 10 I started cramping again. Quads only this time and lightly. I just kept jogging through, just slowly. Was expecting Tyler to come pass me at any moment now and grab/slap my ass but that never happened. Was nervous and anticipating legs to lock up on the last steep descent on the final mile of the run, but that never happened.

The run felt more a test of heat tolerance & trail readiness as opposed to fitness - or maybe I'm just giving myself excuses? :P

Overall I ended up 7th in AG. I definitely had a TON of FUN this weekend, but leaving with a lot of things to work on, which is great. The cramping situation makes me sad and annoyed - I feel so debilitated after the initial onset - it really makes for a crap effort-push later on. It's strange too because it's not like I feel TIRED when they happen...