Whirlpool Steelhead 70.3 Triathlon - DuathlonOther

Had no clue how to approach this having never done a duathlon before. At the "GO!" yell from the announcer I let the sprinters go. I figured bustin my ass for two miles was going to wear me out and probably only gain me 1-2min. max. probably not worth it. Went out at a comfortable pace, I thought it was around 8:15ish/mile. Ran up a huge hill to the turnaround then back towards the finish and transition area. Ran steady with a group of about 3-4 guys. Passed a few from previous waves. Got a quick drink from the aid station right before T1.

I don't know, run harder, run easier, who knows. Like I said, had never done or trained for a duathlon, really wasn't sure how to approach it.

Ran into T1 and to my bike, which was in a decent spot. Got my helmet and shoes on. Ran out. Had a long run from T1 to the mount line, maybe 100+ yds. Long way.

Nothing. Decent transition, never done a rut to bike T1.

After I got on my bike my legs felt funny for a few miles. Was able to get into a decent rhythm. Passed a lot of people at the start. Got mathced up with a guy who was riding about the same pace I was. Stayed about 4-5 bike lengths behind him to avoid a drafting penalty. Went around him on a few climbs then he passsed me on a couple downhills, we decided to stay together and help each other pace. We took turns leading and following. Other than a few times when it was unavoidable we didn't draft, raced it clean. Concentrated on drinking plenty and staying in rhythm. My stupid aero bottle came out of the bracket, I stopped to re-do the strap that held it, lost maybe 30 sec. Then the dumb thing popped out again a couple miles down the rode, not sure what was up with that, screw it, I'm not stopping again. Rode aero when I was able to. Had a few hills to climb which were not too bad.

About mile 33 me and my pacing buddy caught up to a draft pack of about 8-10 bikes. They looked like slightly weaker riders, a lot of riders from ealier waves. Tried to pass them one time but they decided to stand up on the pedals instead of dropping back like they should have. Where the hell are the race refs? Dropped back behind them to prepare for another try. My pacing buddy came up next to me and was frustrated too. We decided on the next good downhill we were going to try it again. He said, "I'll get right on your back wheel, you just give it hell." Finally after a mile or so we had our shot. Had a decent downhil so I pulled out for a pass, my buddy got right behind me and we pushed as hard as we could. Got past them this time, he had a few choice words for the pack but i just focused on pedaling hard. Got around the draft pack and he dropped back out of my draft zone.

Continued taking water and gatorade at the aid stations, as well as a gel every 40-45 minutes. Mile 45 my pace buddy dropped off, never did see him after that. Saw Kim, Karley, mom-in-law, and other members of my cheering section around mile 50. Had a good trip back to T2. Dismounted well and headed into to get ready for my run.

Not much. Everything seemed to go well with the exception of that one big draft pack. Nutrition/hydration seemed to go well, bike performed great.

Long run from the dismount line to the actual transition area.

Maybe try and get out a little quicker.

Worst half-mary of my life. Came out of T2 not feeling to bad, legs were heavy but not really bad, it was hot though. Made it about a mile in and then there was a big hill, a lot of people walking it. I made a bad decision and let myself walk the hill too. I thought, since my legs are a little heavy I'll walk this hill then start running again, don't want to kill my legs on this early hill. Well that was a bad idea, it was way to easy to walk after that whenever I wasn't feeling very good. Started walking the aid-stations to get in full cups of water and gatorade. Tried running between aid stations but started to let myself walk a little between them. Legs just weren't feeling good and I couldn't get myself to push through it.

About mile 6 I got some much needed encouragement from a fellow runner. She said, "Only 7 more miles you can do it." I started running with her, we walked the aid stations together but then ran between them, giving the other the occasional word of encouragement when we need it. This seemed to work well. About mile 10 she really dropped off, I thanked her for running with me and keeping me going, tried to get her to keep going but she said she needed to walk for awhile. I went on. Walked the rest of the aid stations and couple of the hills. Just could not seem to ever get my legs into a good pace. Finally got close to the finish line and kicked in the last 200 yards. Crossed the line and got my medal.

Not be such a mental pussy. I knew I wasn't going to set a half mary PR but this was ridiculous. Finding a running buddy a little sooner would have helped. Just needed to be a little tougher mentally.

Walked around in the finish area. Got a wet towel and some gatorade. Talked to a few other racers. Got my picture taken with Karley.


This being my first ever duathlon. Loosing the mental battle on the run.


A little hard to rate this with all the changes that were made. They volunteers along the course rocked. They were great. Wish I could have swam but oh well.