Wildflower Triathlon/bloody-bloody-gent

Hi all, I wanted to report in after a fine windy weekend down at Lake San Antonio for the Wildflower long course triathlon...although I had fun, my results were not what I had hoped for...after enduring a couple of minor health issues ( a nasty cold and my bruised ribs) I decided I would do the race anyway, and I am happy that I did, (27th year racing there). I needed the race for my preparation for my Ironman the the end of June in Cour du' lane.

I started the race at 9 am and immediately I knew that my shortness of breath (cold/bruised ribs) would become devastating if I didn't slow way down and pick a nice comfy pace for the swim...I did and I finished the swim well and hopped on the bike hoping to make some time....As many of you may know the race is a very hilly course and my repeats with you all proved invaluable as I was rarely passed while going up (or down) hill...but it was EXTREMELY windy, and I was very cautious after witnessing my first of six accidents! (I was the eye witness at three)...Now I know that time trial bikes are not the most stable, and I know that triathletes are notoriously bad bike handlers but WOW!...

The cross winds on the back section were gusting to about 25 mph and saw many more 'close ones'....but when after number one I was looking down the road and a lone rider was doing some sort of acrobatics...turning sideways, throwing something into his front wheel, and then flying what looked to be about 15 feet up into the air...unfortunately for him gravity caught up to him and he landed about 60 ft down the road....ALLS I COULD THINK ABOUT IS... OH SHIT!!! I looked around and nobody was any where close.... so I felt compelled to stop...I AM NOT A MEDIC...but I briefly interviewed the bloody- gent, he told me he WASN'T ok....about that time the missiles started flying by!!! STUPID TRIAHTLETES NOT LOOKING DOWN THE ROAD!! ....I told BLOODY-GENT to stay still as it was all I could do to direct the on-coming bike traffic from hitting BLOODY-GENT AND MYSELF!! ....after what seemed like forever a CHP showed up and an ambulance was on its way....

I tried to carry on, and I think my adrenaline was pumping...I almost was involved in another incident not long after but that fellow who was only 20 ft. in front of me pitch to the side at least 20 degrees...he righted himself with no major drama and when I passed him he commented to me "thank god for cyclocross!".....I seconded his remark and I am sure glad I made it out of that section of road...I soon left that fellow in the good company of many behind me....but at that point I kinda had the wind taken out of my sails....(a spike of excitement/adrenaline) is NOT what you want in an endurance event....I SURE WAS GLAD I MADE IT OUT ALIVE...

On the run I felt sluggish, but I dealt with it like it was a hard training day at that point and I did not walk at all (with the exception of one aid station)....my run was sluggish and my stride was too short, but I did keep my cadence up and I am glad that I finished in the top 20....and...like I said to Tobin Ortiblan this morning about his weekend race...."there's always another race"....

All in all, I had fun...and I know I was on pace to a solid race until the 'incident'....I later learned that BLOODY-GENT had to be flown out, but was doing fine later in the day...Kem

P.S. one weird thing....when the CHP showed up he and determined not to move BLOODY-GENT, he covered him up---with a white sheet!