Brandywine Valley Duathlon - DuathlonStandard

Started out a bit faster than I wanted to, but felt pretty good and settled in as I reminded myself of the second 5k to come. Found someone running at my pace and just fell in behind them until we got a little past the 2-mile marker. I picked it up some there and passed him. Moved up to around my LT for the last 1/2-to-3/4mi and felt good.

Try to hold back a little better out of the gate, but overall I felt I used about the right amount of energy on the run.

Almost forgot to buckle my chin-strap before leaving transition, but remembered just before exiting.

nothing

I probably started out a bit too hard again here. After going cautiously across a metal grate bridge (a little dicey as people were shifting lines in front of me), I worked pretty hard up the only hill on the course. Once over the top I began to settle in agin and found a comfortable gear/cadence. My cadence was lower than usual, but it felt comfortable and I felt like I was moving pretty good. Passed people for awhile, but eventually found myself with a couple guys riding about the same pace and rode with them (tried to stay out of the drafting zone and think I did a good job of that). Towards the end of the bike, I picked up the effort a little and rode away from that group.

A couple miles out of T2, the rain began. At first it was not too hard, but it was instantly notable that it was getting colder and the wind was picking up. I took it very cautious over the metal grate bridge this time--unclipping one foot and sort of pushing myself across. I also tried to spin a higher cadence over this last segment to prep for the run.

I thought this ride went pretty well overall. Again, maybe do a better job holding back at the start.

Went well

nothing

Immediately felt the fatigue on this run. But my legs were still moving reasonably well and overall I felt OK. The rains got much heavier during the run, along with wind and the colder air. Temps were probably upper 50s at the start and were mid-40s by the time I was heading home.

At the 1mi marker I picked up my effort. I was going to try to hold near LT over the last 2. But just before the turn-around I developed a side stitch. I tried to keep running, but it was definately having a big impact on my pace. Over the last 1/2-to-3/4mi I had to walk a few times for brief stretches. And while I ran through the finish, I was unable to really push it. My legs had more to give, but I couldn't use them.

If I knew what caused the side-stitch, I would do that differently. :)

I didn't need a warm-down. I needed to warm-up!

I grabbed a banana & slice of pizza. Then I gathered my stuff and made my way to the car to get at least a dry shirt on before driving home.


The side stitch obviously.

This was a C-race for me so I wasn't tapered or trained for it. I know I still need to keep working on both my bike & run, but I've made good progress over the last year.


The race itself seemed well-organized with lots of volunteers where you'd want them. Hard to rate the post-race since pretty much everyone just wanted to get out of there as fast as they could. I heard they cancelled the awards ceremony because they were worried the tent wouldn't hold up. But there were plenty of volunteers out on a pretty bad day and Piranha usually does a good job with their races so I give them the benefit of the doubt on this.