Race Report

Yesterday I completed my third Duathlon. Hard to believe it was only my third one, seems with all the talk and training I do for duathlons that I would have done lots more, but unfortunately this race season wasn't all that I hoped it would be so yesterday was the first and only duathlon I had this race season. I just had a rough summer and couldn't get back on track. But no worries - I'm already looking ahead, continuing my training and thinking about the winter series.

I thought this morning that I should do a race report - then I realized that I don't really remember it very well. That race really pushed my limits and I think I have blocked most of it from memory. Something like child-birth . . . if women really remembered how hard it really is they wouldn't do it again. So here are the high-lights of what I do remember. . .

- I was in the bathroom, or not paying attention, when they announced the start of the race - they called everyone over to the upper parking lot - away from the transition area. I thought we were going to get a little pep talk, reminded to play nice and sent back to our transition area to start. But after we got over there and the first couple of waves started out running I realized I was sadly mistaken and thankful that I was in the last wave. So I ran back to the transition, being sure to leave my timing chip outside, ripped off my sweatshirt, and raced back to the start line.


- I started running - saw Jay and Megan cheering for me. I ran a little further and saw a shirt I recognized - the same Venus de Miles shirt that I have - then looked up to see who was wearing it to find Gaye cheering for me. A little beyond that I saw Sonja too cheering. It was so great to have so many friendly faces in the crowd.


- I knew for a good part of the run that my friend Leslie was right behind me and I run much better working to stay in front of someone than I do trying to pass some one, so that was good. After a bit I realized that I was running right behind a woman who was setting a great pace - a bit faster than I'm used to but she was so consistent and I was feeling okay that I decided to go with it. I tried to disregard the fact that she had a 65 on her calf - which meant that she was almost twice my age, but it was all good. After a while I unfortunately lost her - I don't remember how. Did I pass her or did she get too fast? So it was just Leslie and I for the rest of the run.


- I remember getting to the transition area for the bike, Leslie was right next to me. I remember thinking I was doing pretty good with my transition and then next thing I know Leslie is headed out and I'm still getting ready. Wish I knew what she did. I finish getting ready and head out - and I head the wrong way so I get turned around and get out the transition the right way and have hopes of catching up with Leslie on the bike, but I know she's fast on the bike, but it's something to focus on.


- I see Leslie at one turn around point and I'm not too far behind - I see her again later and I'm even further behind -so I find something new to think about.


- I remember getting annoyed with people all over the road and several times standing up in the pedals going up a hill just for a burst of speed in attempts to get around some people.


- I love my road bike, I remember last year doing this race with my hybrid mountain bike and just struggling. This year I was passing lots of bikes, even some road bikes.



- For the last 4-5 miles of the ride, I played cat and mouse with an orange bike which was a good distraction.


- I felt completely unprepared for the second run. As usual my legs felt super heavy, like I was running through mud. I knew this last 2 miles was going to be a grueling mental and physical exercise.


- I made it past the first mile marker and then without a conscious thought I started walking. I was disappointed but went with it for a few seconds and started running again. I had one other point that I was starting up a big-ish hill and I decided to walk the hill. Then I started running again. Then the finish line was in sight and I just wanted to hold on until the end. Which I did.


- Coming up to the finish there was Jay, Megan, Gaye, and Sonja all cheering. I called to Megan who came out and I she thought would run with me to the finish. But she had other plans - she took off in a sprint intent on beating me so I found some extra kick I didn't think I had and did mange to finish with her.


- At the finish I was handed my medal which I hung around Megan's neck. Megan asked me why she got a medal and I immediately felt choked up and ready to cry, when I thought about all she was to me and how she got me started on this path toward a health life. Thankful she didn't realize that I never answered her question.

- My official stats are 182nd place (out of 312 - so not last!), I was 35th in my age group (not last there either 64 of them). My total time was 1:42:43. I ranked 232 and 218 in my runs respectively, and I ranked 136 on the bike. All in all, pretty good - not much to compare it to, but setting the bar high for when I do.


- After the race it was good to catch up with Gaye and Sonja and to get some lovin' from Jay and Megan. Jay kept commenting on my bike portion and how fast I was, asking how many people did I pass and so on. I really don't remember it, but was happy that whatever I did I was apparently impressive.


But what was truly impressive was my friend Susan who did the race too. This was her first duathlon and I truly have never met a more positive person than Suz. She is always happy, she likes everyone, and has the best outlook. I don't think I've ever heard her say a disparaging thing about anyone or anything. Susan decided early this year (or maybe it was longer ago than that) that she was going to do this duathlon - I guess she figured that if I could do it then hell, anybody could do it - little did she know how right she was. So Suz got a road bike, she started running, she started biking, she was kicking ass and taking names then BAM!! she got a stress fracture in her leg - no running for at least 6 weeks. But she never cried "Uncle". She buyed her time, she concentrated on the bike, and when her leg was ready she started back slowly and smartly with the running again. And yesterday she was AWESOME!! She had a smile on her face the whole time - which I can not say the same for myself and afterwards she said that there was not a single point when she was miserable and just wanted it to be over - which I know with absolute certainity that I can't say either. And the best news of all . . . she wants to do it again!!!!

Congratulations Suz!!!!