Philadelphia Triathlon in Fairmount Park - Duathlon

This felt aweseome. No other way to discribe it. I started out kinda slow (wanted to pace myself), but once I started I just went. I was afraid of going too fast too soon, but as it turned out I think my pace was just right.

Nothing

By the time I got to my bike I was dripping with sweat. It wasn't too hot, but it was crazy humid. Took my time, poured part of a water bottle on me and drank the rest, changed shoes and went. I walked my bike out.

I guess I could have run the bike out? But I really dont' care too much about my T times. I care so much more about my actual swim/bike/run pace.

The race director/organizers did and AWESOME job with hydration on this course! They had a water bottle exchange table where they had waterbottles filled with water or Gatorade. Riders would exchange their empty waterbottes for filled ones. This saved my race. The concoction that I made the nigth before turned out to be way too sugary and strong. I was feeling sick to my stomach, though I would toss my cookies, but then I saw the table....what a Godsend....

The volunteers and spectators were awesome! Very cheerful and encouraging. In particular, there was a TEAM IN TRAINING tent on top of Lemon Hill (the steepest hill on the course). They were so encouraging that everytime I wanted to get off the bike I didn't because of them! Also, on top of another hill (don't know it's name) there was a volunteer who was soo militant about us NOT getting off our bikes and to just pedal...quite funny! and it worked for me too...I was scared!


Absolutely loved this course. The hills were tough but not impossible and they were spread out enough that the legs and heart got some rest in between.


Taste my drink before the race.

Again, took my time....no rush.....

My blister was getting worse, though. My sock was bloody but it wasn't painful.

rush a bit more? ahh...may be not...

Started the run and my knee began to hurt. Darn it! I had not had any problems with it in MONTHS!!!! Crap!!!! Anyway, jogged a bit, walked a bit. My left hip also began to give me problems...blah blah blah. Hey, come on, it's a race...things are SUPPPOSED to hurt, right? If not, then there is something wrong, righ? Something about "good pain"?

This was a tough run for me, though...long. Mentally challenging. I KNOW I didn't have to stop as often as I did....I feel bad about that.

Loved the finish!!!! Apparently the anouncer called out my name as I was running in!!! I did not hear it at all, all I wanted to do was get it done. Can't wait to watch the video finish. Rumor has the finish was taped. How cool is that!!!

Again, kudos to the race organizers...water stops were in the perfect spots for me. As soon as I felt I needed something to drink, a water station would appear up ahead.

Not stop. But, I have not trained at all for a duathlon, and this was a long run at the end of a tough bike leg.

I am overall happy with my performance.

drank water, sat down, walked a bit, sat down, stretched, ate, hung around.


Definitely my lack of hill work on the bike.


Absolutely loved it despite the fact the swim was cancelled. The water was a muddy mess with chunks of trees floating by and all....organizers really did trhought of everything; waterbottle exchange station on the bike course, waterstation spaced just right on the run, photographers EVERYWHERE, awesome volunteers, course was easy to follow, athletes could be tracked by voicemail or email..I even think there was a video finish!