Powerman Alabama - DuathlonPowerman

Let me begin this race report with a caveat....this is how NOT to run a race. I had no race strategy and my overall time is a testament to being a strong athlete...not a smart athlete.

My overall plan was to hold about 8:00 mile pace for the first run and sustain the same pace for the second run. That all went out the window on the first mile. I need to forget that I am not a runner. It is not my strength. I tried to run with the big boys and failed miserably. My first mile was 7:21. Most of them were sub 6:30. Suddenly I found myself alone and nearly pissed. Not to mention I was already in Z4-5. I knew I was capable of running this pace...just not yet.

I was simply shocked and amazed at how fast the entire under 34 group went out. Some of those guys were not runners. I only had to wonder if they would die later in the race.

I tried to hang for the first two miles but my HR was skyrocketing. I thought, great, I am going to blow up on the first run of a long day. I forced myself to back off during the remaining 3 miles. All the while, I was growing extremely warm while running. I shed the arm warmers and gloves. I was debating whether I would ditch the tights on the bike. However, I knew the bike would be cold.

I knew I was ahead of schedule by a few minutes but I also knew that my legs were already suffering.



Not go out so hard. I blew up in the first two miles instead of building. Also, I would have altered my race attire had I known that I would get so warm while running

Good transition given that it was my first of the year. I did fumble the new helmet seeing that I have never put it on. I did drop the arm warmers and gloves

One day I might learn how to jump on the bike.

I know that I am a stronger cyclist than runner so I went out to punish the course. This was my first race on the new bike and first race since crashing so there was a nervous demeanor about me that day.

It took no time to get up to speed. The wind was making itself know too. The first 5 miles were crowded as the Long and Short course duathlons share the same course. I was extremely careful on the descents.

The first climb dropped everyone like flies. Last year I was in much better climbing shape. Once you made it to the top you were hit with a sharp headwind. And at nearly every intersection there was a violent crosswind. It wasn't as bad as last year but still extremely noticeable.

I finished the first lap feeling fatigued. I knew I still had some ground to make up on the second lap and only hoped that my legs would carry me that far. The second climb was even more brutal. At this point we were all spread out. I played leap frog with one guy for a while before finally dropping him.

Once the hills were over, I made my move. It wasn't the smartest but it paid off. I knew I was pretty much toast for the second run. So there was no sense in me backing off. Instead, I picked up the pace. I began hammering the final 5 miles, holding about 25+. Everyone else was beat too. I was passing people like they were standing still. I just went with the flow.

Race nutrition: Gel immediately on the bike, 280 calorie infinit in aero bottle, half a clif bar, gel at the end of bike, water in second bottle. Total calories: 600 ish. I did run out of fluid over the last 5 miles and didn't want to stop at the bottle exchange.

Not much. More miles on the bike wouldn't hurt.

I started to get my feet out of the shoes but I was too tired. Plus, I had not practiced my (un)graceful dismount on the new bike. So I just stopped. I had no problem getting in and out of transition. I had the 34rd fasted t2.

Learn to jump off the bike to save a few seconds

This is where the whole race became unraveled for everyone. I was beat...there was no doubt about it. I still thought I could put together a solid run, holding about 8's. But everyone else was dying. A few people caught me in the first mile, but I was catching people at an eerily similar rate. All those guys who went hard in the first run? Yep, they were dead.

Again, here I didn't play it smart. I need to get better about pacing off people and learning to tuck behind them on windy days. Instead, I was off in my own little world. I am not sure what happened in mile 4. I hit an aid station and the volunteer didn't have a cup out so I think I stopped, looked at the table and found powerade. It definitely threw me off.

I was able to pick up the pace a bit on the final mile give that most of it was downhill.

Given my run and bike, I am more than happy with this run.

I wanted to die. I ripped off my tights and long sleeved shirt while dumping a bottle of water on my head. I was hurting.

Overall it was a great race for me. I took 20 minutes off my time from last year. I thought there was no way I could finish sub-3 and had I been able to see the clock at the end I know I could have shaved 4 seconds. So I am very pleased with the outcome.


Not being in cycling shape yet. It is coming...just not there yet. Plus blowing up in the first run didn't help.


I personally think Team Magic puts on a classy race. They have ample volunteers. This is a great race for the beginning of the year. It makes you really push it and is a tough course.