Wrentham Duathlon - DuathlonStandard

I will complain about this point at every race until they day I die. If you are a slower runner, that is okay, just don't start in the front of the race. I started about 3 rows back and of course had to do the weave around people who somehow thought they were going to run 5/mile pace but are now out of breath few yards in. Any way, things settled down pretty quickly. Looking up ahead, there was one kid that looked like we was shot out of a cannon. I figured it was some college cross country runner who we would all see on the bike. Yeah, completely wrong on that assessment as he completely dusted the field.

As always I did a completely poor job of cehecking splits but I think I came through the first mile in about 5:45. I found myself running alone and it was a little breazy so I sped up to get behind a small group. I pretty much stayed here the rest of the run. I probably could have done this run a little quicker but I got to conserve energy and came into T2 feeling good.

Nothing...continue with the current training plan as it seems to be working

No T-1 times but this went well. It takes a little longer to get the helmet on but not too bad

Started off on the bike well. I love that triathletes have no bike skills whatsoever. I caught a couple of people earlier on just because they were a few sharp turns and they got out of their aerobars and slowed to nothing...but my excitement was short-lived as a few of them passed me back. For whatever reason I was riding this 11 mile race like it was HIM. After about 4 miles it finally sunk in that I just need to hammer as that was what everyone else was doing and I was getting dusted...ride like there is no run afterwards...that is what I did last year and I need to remember that.

So finally I picked up the pace, passed a few people back, caught some of the earlier runners and was feeling a little better. In the end, it :40 faster than 2 years ago so I am pretty happy.

Attack from the start

Ahhh, T2...I unstrap my shoes ad put my feet on top heading to the dismount line. I leap off the bike in perfect stride. As I am running I release my chin strap on my helmet. I reach the bike racks, count 1,2,3...4 - turn here, this is mine. There are people in front of me and behind me so a quick transition is key. I lift my bike to rack it and SLAM, the whole rack goes over. I was the first one there so there were no other bikes but still...shit. I pick up one end and luckily some woman grabbed the other end and lifted it up. It cost me maybe :15 but I was bit panicked for a second there.

I think this is obvious

Times includes fiasco in Transition

Started off the run great. Quickly passed a couple of people and was gaining on a few others. One guy passed me who was flying so I sped and had hime drag me for a bit. Eventually his pace was too strong so I slipped off. Was really cranking through the first mile but was really starting to get tired and my back was killing me from these damn shoes. On the turn for home which leaves about a half mile. Two more people passed me and once again I tried to hang but cramped up. I have a problem that when my breathing gets really heavy, I get a cramp on my right side under my ribs. Once that happens, I know I am done. I can usually hold whatever pace I am going at but not a second faster. About 200 yards from the finish, too more people passed me...man was that frustrating.

Nothing really...I was really with how my legs felt on the second run. I did fade at the end and then cramping was a bummer but I thought is was good finish to the first race of the year

Tried not to throw-up...successfully I might add...walked around drinking recovery drink


Conditioning


At first I was little dissappointed but now that I look back on my 2006 race when I was in really good shape, I am pretty happy. I was 1:34 faster and faster in all 3 areas. I finished in 20th in both years but almost 100 more people this time around. This was a good start to the season but definately a lot to work on.