Dooby Du - F-1 Duathlon

Plan was to take the first run out kind of hard. Got a little carried away because I did the first mile in 6:30. Backed off a little bit for the second mile. This was a smaller race, so even though the trail was kind of narrow there was lots of running room (with the exception of the small out and back section which you could only go single file).

Not much. Probably could have run a little more even splits.

First race transition of the year and it went about as expected. Felt a little clumsy throughout the process. Had a little trouble getting into my shoes as the I forgot to open up the velcro.

Open up my shoes all the way for easier entry. Do a few more practice transitions.

Wanted to use this race to kind of gage where my bike fitness was at (mother nature has forced me to do a lot of rides indoors, so I was curious what I could do outdoors). Stayed in the small ring for the first two miles and after that put it into the big ring and just started hammering. Felt a little strained when the wind was against me (probably should have moved back to the small ring). They didn't take splits, but I am pretty sure I actually gained a few spots here. Felt strong on this ride, looking back could have pushed harder.

Push a little harder; for an early season ride though, I could not have asked for much better.

On the few outside rides I have done this year, I have been practicing the moving dismount (coast to the dismount line standing on one pedal). This was my race debut of this technique and it went perfect. I flew by three people that had stopped to dismount. Unfortunately, I gave those three spots right back because I could not get my shoes tied (hands were cold).

During the race, probably should have worn gloves on the bike so my hands would be a little more able to tie the shoes. Really need to find a speed lace system that keeps my shoes tight enough because I gave up A LOT of time here.

I wanted to make sure I had enough in the tank to push the second bike so I held back a little on this run. I was running at my 10k pace and I felt completely relaxed. Sucked down my first gel at the aid station. Pretty sure that I didn't lose or gain any spots on this run.

In retrospect, I could have pushed harder here and still been able to push the second bike.

I felt this transition went smoother than the first run-to-bike but I was significantly slower, not sure where I lost time.

Not sure. I was slow but don't know why.

Wanted to push this bike too. Had a mental lapse in the first mile because I caught myself just spinning at my long ride pace (don't know what that was about). Moved it to the big ring and started hammering again. The wind was beginning to pick up so I did move to the small ring when it was against me, otherwise stayed in the big ring. Took in my second gel at the end of this segment. Pretty sure that I gained one or two spots on this ride.

Push harder. Have no problem getting out of my comfort zone when running but just can't seem to do it when biking.

Much like the first bike-to-run transition. Passed some people who did a stopped dismount and gave the positions right back because I could not get my shoes tied.

Had no plan for this run, was just going to see how I felt. Decided that that my goal would be to pass, and stay ahead of, the three people that got out of transition before me. Got by them in the first quarter mile and settled into a nice pace. Right before the small out and back section a guy shot around me.

I didn't think much of it until he slowed down which completely blocked me. I was ticked (probably more than I should have been) because there was no room to pass without blazing my own trail. After that section, my sole mission in life was to make sure I beat him; and if I couldn't beat him, he was going to at least be crying for his mama when he crossed the line. Picked up the pace to what felt like a 5k effort and shot by him. He hung with me for about 100 yards and then started walking (not sure what happened to him because I never saw him cross the finish line--I am sure he did but I did not see it).

Still had some mojo flowing, so I set my sights on two guys about 200 yards ahead of me. Caught up to them shortly. One of them kept his pace steady (wanted to congratulate him on running his own race but thought that might taken the wrong way so I kept quiet). The other guy came with me. I thought he was going to keep pace and that we were going to have a race but he started to fade after about 400 yards.

Held the higher effort until there was a less than a half mile to go. I took a quick look back and didn't think anybody was going to catch me and there was no way I was catching the guy in front of me so I can began shutting it down.

Nothing I was happy with this run.

Talked to my dad for awhile. Walked over to the snack table and got some candy. Took the bike back to the truck. Walked back to cheer on the remaining finishers and have lunch.


Didn't taper at all for this race and didn't go into it with a "killer attitude" so I didn't expect to be blazing fast. But, with the exception of the transitions I thought I raced very well.


Nice low key race. Well organized and everything was on time.