I raced Wildflower and all I got was both a bee sting and two rounds of projectile vomiting on the bike, a DNF, and a dent in the VW bus I borrowed from my brother. There's definitely a story to be told but I'm going to follow Fast Brian's advice to not think about the race and enjoy the rest of the weekend; and then after a couple of days, write down all of my observations from race day, free of analysis, to be reviewed at a later time. After following all of my blog friends race, and then seeing my teammates and Charisa and her crew crush it yesterday, I'm left with this feeling that I just want to be like the cool kids. I just really want to be one of the cools kids.But having a bad race also made me realize that racing is just one reason why I do triathlons. Here are some other reasons:
Sharing cupcakes, laughs and stories with good company the night before the race.
Being serenaded "Happy Birthday" by my teammates and close friends in a cozy RV.
After looking the day prior to no avail, casually bumping into Teresa as I was walking down to the swim start.
Reminiscing with my friends Troy and Jim as we waited for our swim wave to start, our 20th+ year in this sport.
Listening to Mark go on and on and on about the tough course after completing his first Wildflower, a ritual for every newbie doing the long course.
12 comments:
Bummer about your race. :( BUT, sounds like it was still very much worth the effort and the trip and that IS what is great about our sport and all the awesome people in it. Also, I'm thinking all the "cool kids" have bummer races too. Just part of being cool. ;)
It was a GREAT weekend - even with all your terrible bee-stinging, puking, car running into posts things! :) Can't wait til SF!!
All of the S&*T is happening now so your IM's ROCK! I've heard Wildflower is the most beautiful race and it also looks like some pretty fantastic people show up to it. Pick up and move forward (sticking with the British theme - sorry, I'm totally into the Royal wedding thing this weekend), the BEST Is yet to come from Kiet Tran!
P.S. pretty sure you are one of the "cool kids"
I was tracking you and wondering where you went - doesn't sound like any fun. Love the focus on the good things and I'm glad you were surrounded by friends to celebrate the big birthday!!
You are cool no matter what happened~ Keep on keeping on. And I am sure you still had a good time down there!
You are definitely already one of the cool kids :) Sorry the race didn't quite go so well, but happy belated birthday (it was Friday, right? Mine too!).
Sorry you didn't have that race you were looking for... but so glad you had fun anyway!! Nice!
You are a "cool kid"! We love you and know you have it in you. Mark is hilarious (still talking about the race!). Love your attitude!!
tn
you know what? some day, a month or a year from now you will be able to laugh your ass off at this weekend and the sting of a shit race will be completely overtaken by the laughter and stories you have to tell. and that's ultimately what its all about. AND super jealous. I will do wildflower one day. and alcatraz. seriously having west coast envy :)
I was one of the wildflower virgins out there this weekend & it was a tough course - especially for this Minnesota kid who doesn't have anything close to those hills to train on & has only been outside on the bike 3 times before getting to Wildflower! Amazing weekend that I feel so lucky to have experienced & I really hope to be back to make Beach my bitch next year.
Hope your DNF had nothing to do with any if the ambulances I saw on the bike course!
Sounds like even with what happened with the race you had a great weekend! Bummer about the DNF.. Soon you will be in my neighborhood and I can cheer on you at IM Cda!
well, as you say - it can only be better next time out !
all the best
marti
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