Virginia Duathlon - Duathlon

After some initial nerves before the start, we were off. In the first 1/4 mile I thought I was in trouble. My legs were ready to revolt as they had zero interest in running fast today. Actually, the truth is I hate the 5k! I do not enjoy what is technically sprinting for me. That being said, I pushed through the first mile to a surprising 7:05. After that I slowed up a bit and settled in. Nothing was going to change, the race was on. After 3.1 miles I crossed the mat in 22:12 - a 5k PR by over 1 minute!

The question was, could I keep going strong as I had no idea what the bike would entail.

Nothing. Pretty good first 5k - PR!

As this was my first ever 'transition' I had no expectations. I don't have bike shoes so I didn't have to change shoes. The only thing that took any time was putting on my bike gloves. I considered not wearing them for the bike, but I do remember that you shouldn't try anything new on a race. So, I am sure that the stupid gloves cost me the same amount of time as bike shoes. Anyway, once I had the helmet and gloves on, I was off - running to the mount area.

Not wear gloves.

As I stated before, I had zero expectations for the bike. This was my first ever competitive bike ride. My only hope was not to crash and not to get in someone's way. After a slow start at the mount area, I was off. It took me a little bit to get my 'cages' set around my running shoes.

The one thing that I never really thought about before today is how much wind is a factor in the biking. The ride into the wind was much slower than with the wind. Makes sense, but it is MUCH more a factor with biking than running. It makes as much as a 4-5+ mile an hour difference.

About 3 miles into the ride, I was passed a little, but nothing like I had assumed. At this time I also started to find my groove. I don't know how to describe the rest of the ride. I actually passed a few and was passed by the faster group from the 2nd wave (started 5 minutes later). At one point around mile 15 I was feeling very happy with my ride and was doing over 24 miles per hour. While I was thinking that I am really riding quite well, I was passed by about 3 people like I was standing still - oh well!

I finished the ride pretty strong, but I know I could have been faster if I had a better understanding of how to ride in corners and turns. This was by far the weakest part of my riding.



No idea - probably try training on the bike and getting a better understanding or riding principals.

No idea about T2. I was just trying to get feeling back in my legs.

Once I got off the bike, I had zero idea what was happening. I could see my legs moving, but I couldn't feel them! It seemed like everything was in slow motion for the first mile. Somewhere after the first mile or so, I started to remember this sport called running and I picked up the pace and ran 7:10 for mile 2. At this point, I was doing most of the passing. Mile 3 was horrible and I felt like I was going to die! When I finally approached the finish I had nothing left and there was no final sprint. I was just happy it was over.

As an overall assessment, I finished the bike ride 25th in my age group and the race 22nd overall in age group. So, looking at the numbers, I finished the first 5k in 29th, the bike in 22nd, the last 5k in 15th. This must mean that I held my ground on the bike and made up ground on the final 5k.

Not sure - both 5k's were PRs.

Nothing in particular - waited for my friend to finish.


More experience.


Great introduction race for me! Lot's of fun. Overall, I have to say I am hooked. Now it is time to learn to swim. :)

I've already signed up for a TRI in June and have my eye on a HIM in September.