Belleplain Duathlon - Duathlon

The first run was all about containment for me. This was my first duathlon, so I knew I would have to conserve energy for the second run portion. Every time someone passed me I would just keep telling myself that I would make up that position on the second run. My first mile was in 6:35, so I reeled it in a little the second mile and kind of started mentally preparing for the bike.

I caught up to this younger looking guy and ran in his shadow after the one mile turnaround. I wasn’t where I wanted to be position-wise, but I just kept conserving my energy on the first run.

Not much. I would have liked to have more even splits, but I wasn't tired heading into T1.

One of the best things about not riding in bike shoes is there is nothing I need to do in T1 other than pick the bike up and go. I left in a big group and passed all of the other riders within the first ten seconds while they fiddled getting into the shoes.

Nothing. 10th fastest out of all the duathletes and triathletes.

I started out really well on the bike. I found a gear setting that felt right and didn’t worry about my speed. I just wanted to remain comfortable the whole time. The course was flat and fast so I just tried to pedal consistently.

I followed one very tall girl (bib #37) for the first seven or so miles. She looked effortless on the bike and I stuck with her. Sometimes I would pass her because she would slow down, but she would always eventually catch up to me and stick within my range. She eventually dropped me about halfway through the course.

I wasn’t passed by any other duathletes the whole ride. The only time I would get passed was by the FOPers that started in a later swim wave. They came consistently through. There was no need to say “On you left” because you could hear those bikes coming.

I made a point of not looking at my bike computer until I knew I was close to the finish. 13 miles in I looked down and saw my pace was 19.2! I felt so relaxed that I picked up the pace the final two miles. I geared up and settled down at about 23 MPH the rest of the way. I nearly went sub 46, which I was very happy about considering I wanted to break 50 on this ride.

In short, I rode comfortable and fast! I took one sip of water during the middle of the race, but my bike handling skills are pretty terrible so I had to stop pedaling and I slowed down. It just wasn’t worth it.

Check my computer more frequently. I could have pushed a little harder and still be within my comfort zone.

Ran my bike in, removed the helmet, took a quick sip of water, and headed out.

Nothing. 11th fastest out of all the duathletes and triathletes.

My legs felt awful the first mile. I ran it in 7:00 and thought there was no way I could hold that pace. Eventually I started to feel better and use mental tricks to help me forget the pain my legs were in.

I focused on taking long strides and making sure no other duathletes could pass me. One girl flew by me at the 1.5 mile turnaround. I told her she looked great! She had to be running sub 6:30 miles. I tried to keep her in my sights, but she was running too quick to realistically run with.

With about .5 of a mile to go, I was passed by one of the duathletes. He said to me “Come on…I have been running behind you and biking behind you the whole way. Don’t let me beat you!” That was just the thing I needed to get rid of this fade. I ended up running a 7:20 last mile and beating him by a second.

I saved too much energy for the last mile. I need to HTFU and run a quick second mile. I should have gone sub 22:30 here given the energy I had in the final mile.

I did puke, which I am not happy about. It was nothing solid, just liquids. What am I doing wrong?

I found the guy who spurred me on at the end and thanked him! We chatted for a bit and I headed back to check out the results and other finishers.

Turns out I won my age group so I was awarded a nice hat!


This was my second ever multisport race?
I have been training for three weeks?
Conserved too much on the bike and beginning of second run?


I beat my expectations, but could have pushed harder. Time to train harder!