Athleta Iron Girl Bloomington Women’s Duathlon - DuathlonStandard

I was pretty numb and I just went with it. This run felt quite good, actually, surprisingly effortless. I planned to make up the most time in the bike, so I tried to keep it even here.

This was the longest transition run ever! T1 in a du is always pretty fast. I had my earwarmers and gloves on, so it was a quick helmet and shoes and I was off. I ran around SEVERAL women who were walking their bikes out.

This is a constant rolling course and I was lucky enough to know where the hills are and also where I could get some speed. The first loop is always a total cluster with mobs of people. I must have passed 400 people. Okay, maybe 200 at least. There is a varying degree of bike skills, bike fitness, etc, here and so the first loop is all about not getting into an accident for me. I stayed in my big ring on the first loop because I've been having issues with dropping the chain and this course in particular. There are a few hills that I just killed myself on, though, I knew it wouldn't last.

On the second loop it was much easier with the bikers more spread out. At one tight section I passed two gals who were clearly together and said "you guys can't ride two abreast." In response I heard from crabby blah blah blah (really couldn't understand, but I am wondering what they had to argue about!), and then one of the gals passed me a minute later while yelling meanly "ON YOUR LEFT." Well, I passed her again after a minute (she clearly spent herself trying to show me up) and never saw them again. This always happens at races with a lot of newbies and it's such a pet peeve! It's dangerous and inconvenient and against the rules. Get out of my way! :) I decided on a really good downhill I would switch to the small ring and just coast if I geared out on the few remaining downhill stretches. This was much better. The second loop was surely slower, but more manageable. I was glad to get over the last steep hill (the only one I saw people standing) and on the home stretch.

My goal this whole time was to kill the bike. This race is so bike heavy, it's not worth saving a minute on the run with a more careful approach. I feel I did about the best I could there and the results show it. Yay! I tried to eat some gel bursts on the bike, but they were very cold. I ate 2, maybe 3. It would have been a disaster on a hot day, but I felt fine.

Really the upside to the busier course is a lot of unavoidable drafting. I was passing constantly, but was in the "draft zone" almost the entire time. I never sat in anyone's draft on purpose, but I definitely benefited.

Definitely not my best. I decided to take off my jacket and gloves and fumbled a bit getting the race belt down. I also can't quite slip into my shoes with trouble - really frustrating! I don't want to go with Yankz because they have caused trouble (too tight), but haven't found a better solutions so I just pull them on. I still think it's faster than re-tieing, especially in a du when I've already worn them once.

Keep working on the shoe situation.

I definitely worked for this one. I just tried to enjoy the easier parts and bullied my way through the hiller bits. I didn't stop for water or anything, just kept moving my feet. I DID walk up a tiny hill - shoot. Oh well. I don't think I suffered from missing out on the bike calories. I was very happy to be done!

This went better for me than I could have hoped on relatively few bike miles this summer. The race itself is what it is - super crowded and a lot of inexperienced racers. I was glad to do with a bunch of other LUNA Chix, it was a really nice way to end the multisport season.