Opelousas Rotary Sunrise Duathlon - Duathlon

Took a while to wade through the crowd and find my pace, then I was fine and pretty much on cruise control. Tried to keep Dylan in sight but failed.

Nothing. This was a good hard effort for me, couldn't have found much more if I tried.

Pretty uneventful, so easy I thought I was forgeting something.

Didn't get my splits on the watch, official timer didn't either. Bike time per computer was 1:30 less than official time including transtions, so I split that time equally between T1 and T2.

Nothing.

Must have passed thirty or so in the first three mile, fast runners who need to work on their cycling! Strong headwind, reported to be 15-20mph with gusts. Kept focus on power output, ambitiously thought I could keep it between 240w and 250w, a little above my tested FTP of 235. Think I was more easily able to do that on the way out against the wind.

Passed Dylan (son) about a mile before the turnaround, let him know he had a drafter. When I saw him after the turnaround, he had four. Rampant cheating.

After the turnaround things got a lot faster, the effort easier. Just couldn't keep the power where I wanted it, although I was riding 28-30mph at times. Nearly spinning out on the 53-13 at times but not quite willing to go down to the 12T.

People to overtake were getting scarcer. Managed to chase down a guy with about 3 miles left, passed him at 34mph on a slight decline. Bastard stuck on my wheel the rest of the way in. Doesn't anyone follow rules anymore?

Nothing, great ride for me, fourth fastest time in the race (per the official results, which include transitions) and the three faster cyclists were all local studs. Averaging 22.7 on an out-and-back course in that wind is solid.

Another uneventful transition.

Nothing

Weather had warmed up nicely by this time, highs on the way 90s by the afternoon. Especially hot on the way back with the tailwind and no cooling breeze. Just did the best I could, trying to put out everything I had left. I think four or five younger guys passed me in the first half mile, then another in the last half mile, but he didn't get more than 30 yards ahead of me.

Primarily wanted to stay ahead of Dylan and Brent (co-worker), saw them both after the turnaround and neither was threatening, neither is particularly known as a strong closer. Not that it mattered, I'm giving it everything I have anyway, which at that point doesn't seem like much.

Nothing. Again, happy with this.

Walked around and watched Brent and Dylan finish; Brent ended up first in M35-39 and Dylan 2nd in M19 & under, both behind this old guy. ;^)
Then I grabbed some drinks and food, watched the boys finish, then Angel, who won her AG as well.


Still trying to get my run on track, training hampered by achilles tendonitis lately; as always still trying to take the weight off. But 18th overall, fourth best bike split and first in AG by over four minutes is a long way ahead of where I was last April.


As usual, nice well-run race, probably the best duathlon in the area. Not particularly fond of the new venue, though the RD did not have a whole lot of choice this year. Hope they move it back to the traditional venue next year, as this one is rather dull, route is 95% on the service road of I-49.