So my training buddy and I headed out to Lake San Antonio last weekend to run and ride the course - we threw in a swim for good measure. Both of us are Wildflower rookies, so we really didn't know what to expect.
There are a few observations that I would like to share with the other WF rookies that are out there.
1) This is a very challenging bike course. I live in a hilly area, and train on them all the time, and this is up there with the toughest training rides I have done. The hills from mile 42 will try to suck the life out of you. Eat well, stay fresh, and spin. I felt sorry for the guy on the Cervelo with the 23 in the rear we passed - he was in a world of hurt.
2) Pray for calm weather. There was some serious wind out there yesterday - from the minute we left the park until Jolon road (mile 20) we were riding in to a very stiff headwind. The ride on Jolon had some cross wind for a while, which eventually turned in to a tailwind - free speed - but we lost that once we turned back toward the lake. Nasty Grade was pretty calm, but riding every hill after that, we were climbing in to a headwind until we made it back to the park.
3) The roads are in pretty bad shape - like a washboard in some parts (Jolon and inside the park). I used an Aerodrink and pretty much bathed myself in accelerade. Watch for pot holes.
4) The run course has some pretty long hills on it. If you are use to trail or fire road running you should be fine,
5) Wind and water do not mix. There were whitecaps out there, made for an interesting swim - much bigger waves than in my pool...
6) It gets damn cold at night. Be prepared. Bring firewood.
In all, I think I am prepared, but if the wind on race day is anything like it was yesterday, my time goal is out the window.
There are a few observations that I would like to share with the other WF rookies that are out there.
1) This is a very challenging bike course. I live in a hilly area, and train on them all the time, and this is up there with the toughest training rides I have done. The hills from mile 42 will try to suck the life out of you. Eat well, stay fresh, and spin. I felt sorry for the guy on the Cervelo with the 23 in the rear we passed - he was in a world of hurt.
2) Pray for calm weather. There was some serious wind out there yesterday - from the minute we left the park until Jolon road (mile 20) we were riding in to a very stiff headwind. The ride on Jolon had some cross wind for a while, which eventually turned in to a tailwind - free speed - but we lost that once we turned back toward the lake. Nasty Grade was pretty calm, but riding every hill after that, we were climbing in to a headwind until we made it back to the park.
3) The roads are in pretty bad shape - like a washboard in some parts (Jolon and inside the park). I used an Aerodrink and pretty much bathed myself in accelerade. Watch for pot holes.
4) The run course has some pretty long hills on it. If you are use to trail or fire road running you should be fine,
5) Wind and water do not mix. There were whitecaps out there, made for an interesting swim - much bigger waves than in my pool...
6) It gets damn cold at night. Be prepared. Bring firewood.
In all, I think I am prepared, but if the wind on race day is anything like it was yesterday, my time goal is out the window.