Cary Short Course Duathlon - DuathlonStandard

My goal was 6:30-6:35/mile here, and be ready for a 6:25-6:30 on run 2, so this was a little quick. I wanted to have a good first run, but not kill it, so this was a little aggressive. No mile-markers on the run though, so kinda tough for me to gauge it. Oh well, it is what it is.

Pace better, save it for the bike.

Packing a lunch here. Trouble with the strap on the bike shoes, but everything else was good. Needed to ditch running with the hat, but the hat was special to me (2010 Team Race Menu from Boston, and since Boston's a week away, I felt obliged to wear it). 14th fastest T1.

No hat. New bike shoes with good straps.

ARGH. I knew I would suck here. Only roadie in the front group, HOWEVER, I did reel in the top runner and he was on a roadie! That was within about 3.5 miles. Then at 5, my buddy Paul Savage came roaring by on his Orbea with a "good job". He was flying, and gone. He had top bike split at 50:37 to my 52:58. Over 2 minutes faster in 18 miles! The hunt is on for the TT bike.

More stealthy setup on the bike. I already had it pared down (1 cage, no flat kit), but it's a chunky 11 year old aluminum road bike, nuf said.

I sorta mucked up the entrance into the park off GL Church Road, and had to cut through the cones a little. A volunteer was moving the cones around right as I was entering, and I had to lock up BOTH brakes and slide to a halt to avoid him, yelling out "SH#T" right as I came in. Not cool of me, he was doing a great job helping. Recovered, and made my way in. I had such fun in this TA. I was jamming to the music being provided by a solo guitarist FS had down near race control, and having fun with spectators and volunteers. Fun, intimate race. 8th fastest T2

Went pretty well, not sure, maybe focus more on the transition and less on having fun?

No zip in the legs coming off the bike, kinda used up the legs. Quads were fussing a bit, but no cramping, no pain. I was definitely pushing it here, and not seeing the speed I thought I might. A 6:47 is about right on this course, not particularly fast all around, as it does have some turnarounds, and some turns, and I was being careful of my footing for some of the spots. Nice finish chute kick, held on to it.

I run stronger if there's someone to run with or catch. I was in 1 AG position, and next spot back was over 30 seconds back overall, so it was basically just holding position. I wasn't going to catch next spot up overall, but it wouldn've been interesting if I did run even close to first run pace what would've happened (catching Paul back).

Finished, congratulated my competitors, then went for an easy jog out on the course, urging other runners on. Got some great bread from Great Harvest and just chilled out. Called Paul Kelly to thank him for coming out on course (he and the girls were out on Horton's Pond yelling for me to go chase down Paul S....wasn't gonna happen). Called Lainey and she and the boys were enroute.


Bike fitness, and bike. Period.


FS knows how to put on a race. This was a small, intimate race, and the vibe was good. I will definitely be making a transition over to duathlons I believe. Just so much easier for me to roll out there and not even WORRY about swimming.