Oakdale Duathlon - DuathlonStandard

Bit of confusion to start things off. 400 people milling about wondering where the start was. No big deal though. Eventually got herded in the right general direction and started perhaps 10 minutes late.

A word about the distances. As has been previously posted about races from this RD, distances are more or less approximate. Let me say that I believe it, because to my knowledge the only time I have ever run a 6:47 pace is for for a 1.5 mile fitness test in the Navy at the height of my youthful fitness. Felt more like a 7:15-7:30 pace. Still felt pretty good, though.

Not much. This was my first duathlon, and I didn't really know how hard to hit the run. This was about right, I think.

First race run with shoes staying clipped into pedals. I didn't go a$$-over-teakettle leaving transition, so it can only be evaluated as a success.

First race on the tri bike. Felt pretty good, especially coming off a run vice a swim. Passed a couple people on killer bikes with discs, etc. Got passed by one old dude on a 1980's Klein with friction shifters. Started feeling some tightness in my calves at time, especially climbing.

Hit the hills harder.

Pulled the feet out of the shoes too early (but I figured better to be early than late). Couldn't find my spot at first, then when I did I realized my neighbor had racked his bike on one of my shoes. No big deal.

More practice on/off bike wouldn't hurt.

Coming out of T2, I could immediatley tell my claves were going to be an issue. Smiled my biggest smile for the official looking guy with the camera, got around the corner and dropped to a limping trot, then stopped to stretch a bit. Calves had totally cramped up, and I was worried a bit if I was going to make it work. Started out again at terrible pace, then gradually got to the point I could live with it.

More bricks! The cramping is new, but it has the feel of something that wasn't a fluke. Riding and running harder than last year, and new geometry on the bike, so I need to train through it.

Stretched a bit.


Cramping calves.


First Race Of 2007 In The Books!

Finally met the world-famous autumn. I knew she was around somewhere, and I recognized her tattoo in the food area afterwards. Bikergrrrl was there, too. Heard her name as she crossed the finish, but didn't want to interrupt family time afterwards.

RD did a decent job dealing with a race that was over twice as big as this event has ever been.