Dousman Duathlon - DuathlonStandard

Finally after a good 1/2 hour it was time to go. Then some woman was in the wrong wave and delayed the start. I think her name was joerunner or something like that. ;) I started out kind of in the middle of the pack and tried to find some clear space. I knew my bike would stink so I decided to floor it on the runs. So I did. My Pr for this race was 14:10 in 2007 and I have had a tough time beating that...until today.

Have a slight bit of rest

Put on knit mittens which slowed me down a bit, but I didn't want cold hands

pay more attention in school and get better grades.

I pretty much put my bike away for the season at the beginning of August. The last time I was on it was September 3. So I wasn't expecting much, put I was going to just go out and have fun. Started out feeling pretty good and was averaging about 19 mph. About the best I could expect. Unknown to me Joerunner was stalking me and about mile 4 she caught me. I did manage to briefly pass her back. Honestly I was just trying to stay out in front of the 9 year old kid racing. Then at mile 5 something stupid happened: it started to rain. I said to myself, this is not possible. There is no rain forcast. That didn't change anything, it kept raining. I swore. That didn't help and it kept raining. I don't like to ride in the rain. I was especially skiddish because of all the newbies (who have no idea where to ride on the road )and was afraid of hurting myself before the marathon. Soon after Joerunner passed me, the kid passed me and then Amyjo passed me. Then it got worse. My glasses were covered with water and I couldn't see out of them, so I was riding looking over the top of glasses. Only one problem, I wear glasses because I can't see without them. Good news is I know this route so well that I literally know where the potholes and cracks in the road are. However I slowed to an unacceptable speed. I plodded along for about the next 5. (although I couldn't read my Garmin or bike computer without my glasses) At mile 10 I picked up the pace to an acceptable level but the damage was done.

This was going to be crappy, but with rain and the blockade of newbie riders it was really a stinker. However, today that was ok. Actually last time I did this race in the rain, my average was 15.5. So I guess that is progress.

pulled my wet socks and gloves off. took so long because I needed to tie my shoes well.

I would have invested in Apple because now I would be rich!

I figured if I was going to have to run in the rain, I might as well run fast. So I did. About a quarter mile in, my shoe untied I decided I had to stop and tie it. Then I was off, pushing as hard as I could. I caught back up to the kid, played cat and mouse for a minute and then put him in my rearview mirror. I caught up to joerunner and warned her that the kid was coming (she put him in his place too) at about the mile mark my shoe untied AGAIN! This time I decided that I wasn't going to waste any more time. So my lace flapped around for the next mile. I was working real hard, but felt good and strong. Pushed the pace to avg of 6:40. Despite putting on the burners, could not catch Amyjo (she beat me by 15 seconds!)

Learn to tie my shoes. Otherwise nothing. Faster than run #1 and PR pace for this race and any race I have ever run

Shivering and hanging with my dear friends


Ignoring my bike like a bad habit and that unforcasted rain.


Always enjoy this race and glad I did it this year. However I am still mad at the weatherman...