Wildflower Triathlon - Part I - Arrival Day

Driving in to Wildflower, you see trucks, SUV’s cars, and campers displaying road and mountain bikes, ready to race. Have bike, will travel. Have life, unravel.

I drove up from San Diego to Wildflower last night, stayed in Paso Robles, then made it to the Woodstock of Triathlons this morning – tents were popping up faster than jiffy popcorn - and soon miles and miles of lakeside and hillside grass were filled with triathletes in tents.

There is an miraculous spirit here; at this race – Terry Davis and his crew put on an memorable race – this weekend will be wonderful. If you have not yet ever been to the Triathlon Festival Weekend called Wildflower, then make plans today (and get your credit card out now) because registrations sell out fast for this amazing event.

"The Bachelor" Dr. Andy Baldwin with Denise and Ed Tennison (who is stationed on the USS Ronald Regan). Ed is racing, but Denise is not racing this year, because they are expecting their first child.

No matter what religion you are or are not, there was a beautiful cross made from airline exhaust that floated above the campground just before sunset. My guess is, there are quite a few people praying tonight, and there will be even more praying tomorrow during the run.

This is TJ Murphy, Triathlete Magazine’s in house editor and writer extraordinaire. He is someone who knows this sport and this race very well. TJ is the award-winning editor who is the driving force behind the fantastic quality of the editorial in Triathlete Magazine.

That’s me, Mitch Thrower, pictured with great friend Paul Charbonnier from France in the Triathlete Magazine booth – his company puts on some of the greatest races in France, including Triathlon de Gerardmer – www.triathlondegerardmer.com

Triathlete Magazine’s sales executive, Sean Watkins “Watty,” pictured here with Suzette from Fizik.

Wandering around here at 10:30 at night, looking for a signal for my verizon wireless card to send these images out, I found the only campground within range of verizon wireless service, and it's the MetroSport's Camp with Andrea, Ryan, Verdine and Morgen - and they are making s'mores - and telling jokes - as I type. It's really chilly - the laughter is keeing us warm. My fingers are moving slowly. If this posts, I'm heading back to the Triathlete Magazine camp.

Sunset above the campground showers.

'Twas the night before Wildflower, and all through the house, every triathlete was stirring, and eating a house.

The tents were all full with blankets and cheer, and the campers were all huddled around fires with marshmellows and beer.

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