IronGirl Duathon - Duathlon

I can't believe my time. I started up front because I was soo excited and started out a little too fast. I had a lot of people pass me early on but I settled in and kept going. I never stopped running which was my main running goal of the race. I didn't grab water at the waterstop and that was a good decision. Pretty soon I was around that lake and started to think about the bike.

Not much. That was my best run ever. I normally average around 10 minute miles so that was huge!

Overall rank: 149/507
Age Group rank: 7/17
It went pretty well. I just kept moving along with the run because the chute was soo long. Then when I got to my bike I put my shoes on, helmet on and tried to do sunglasses, but they fogged and I decided against them. When I was running out, me and my hundred closest friends were all trying to mount in the same place so I got slowed down.

Not much because I couldn't control the people in front of me. I think I dealed well and that is all that mattered.

Getting started on the bike there was a lot of congestion and I never thought I would be able to speed up. After the first mile or so, I was able to get up to a cruising speed of 21 mph or so. Then when the first hill came up I felt like I was crawling up it, but it got better and I was able to keep cruising well especially during the downhills. The railroad tracks were scary for people like me who normally don't deal with things like that. But I kept going and that worked well. My first loop was about 38 minutes and my second was slightly faster at about 37. I think I hit 37 mph on the downhill the second time before I turned into the transition area. I shifted down and loosened up my legs which was good.

Not much. I need some hill work but I can tell the great progress I have made over the past few months on my beautiful bike. But all in all it was a great bike for me.

Overall rank: 86/507
Age Group rank: 8/17
My legs felt like jello as soon as I got off the bike and since the run was so long with my bike I was worried that the last two miles were going to be a walk for me. I just took my time and seriously thought my time was going to be over a few minutes but I guess not and that is cool!

Not much. Maybe some brick work because my legs are obviously not use to the transition.

My legs were jello for at least the first 3/4 of a mile and I walked through the water stop right outside of the transition area and the one at the mile mark. But otherwise I took my time which still was pretty fast for me and kept running. My shins were killing me because the back of my legs were so tight. But about 1.5 miles into it I could hear the party at the finish and wanted it soo bad and kept moving. And then there it was and I was soo proud to cross that finish line.

Brick work again...my legs were really hard to manage but I did well nevertheless!

When I crossed that finish line, I got my finisher's medal and got my time chip cut off and then grabbed a gadorade and started the party walking around a bit. Then I got some food and stretched a bit.


It was my first racing season so all in all for the final race of the night, this was awesome. More training will certainly help but that will come with future seasons.


I have been waiting for this race for a year. Last year I volunteered for it on my 20th birthday and pledged that I would race next year. Well I raced and did so much better than I ever thought I could. I lost 30 pounds of the past year and can now run more than a half a mile without stopping. I tried to give back to others but raising money for the Ullman Young Adult Cancer Fund and that gave me a great feeling too. This race meant so much to me, more than just the final race of the season but more of a pledge to what I can accomplish in a year and what the future holds for me. I am very thankful to all those who were there to talk to in the months coming up to the race and I can't wait to do it again next year and be soo much better. Good luck and best wishes everyone!