The Other Way - Training by Feeling and Racing to Train - OPEN (Page 10)

Originally posted by Dominion

I finally got my race report up on my blog. Sorry for the delay but GTS was a little slow posting the Age Group results.

Check it out if you have a free moment. (It has pictures )

Thanks!

Originally posted by Dominion

I finally got my race report up on my blog. Sorry for the delay but GTS was a little slow posting the Age Group results.

Check it out if you have a free moment. (It has pictures )

Thanks!

Originally posted by burner2

Thank you for posting your blog, Chris! I really enjoyed reading it!

I suddenly realized tonight that I have a duathlon in a week and a half, and I'm not ready for it. I've been concentrating on biking and swimming, and not doing much walking/jogging.

Originally posted by pfomalont

Hi all,

Here is my race story from the last weekend. I flew to the Netherlands for the European Duathlon Championships. It is a 15km run - 60 km bike - 7.5 km run.

I had been working with the Swiss Triathlon Organisation to race for the Swiss national team. I thought everything was all set but when I got there the Swiss either hadn't filed the paper work correctly or I was not approved by the ETU (European Triathlon Union.) Luckily they still let me race in the non-EU category. The funnest part was at the race briefing they had a mini opening ceremony. Part of it was a procession of flags. I was the only racer of the 342 from the USA and one of 3 non-Europeans. They didn't have a flag so they used the Czech flag since it is red white and blue. I thought it was great and was happy that they included me.

The duathlon is a lower profile sport than the triathlon so there didn't seem to be really any beginners there. Plus it was the European Championships. The competition was great. The first run was challenging. As I always do I was caught up in the moment and went out to a very fast start. It was 6 2.5 km laps which was a bit mind numbing but also there is a lot of comfort in laps since you know what to expect.

It took me 1:01 to do the 15 km which is a 4:12 km/min pace (6:46 min miles.) I felt good about the run and got to the transition. The great things about duathlons is that the transition is so easy. Just take off shoes, put on shoes and helmet and off you go. The bike course was incredibly flat but as everyone who rides in Holland knows the wind is brutal. While I didn't think it was too bad it definitely was blowing. It was three 20 km laps. I did those in 1:52:11 which is 31.7 km /hr (19.7 mph). I felt really good and after the IM distance 60 km felt short. The 2 hours just zoomed by.

The second run is always the mind killer. It was three laps on the same course and each one felt like it took an eternity. The first run really shattered my legs for running and while the bike was good my legs where not happy to be running again. I slogged around the three laps trying to make my legs go fast but I was stuck at a 4:50 min/km pace (7:47 min/mile.) My total time was 3:33:41

Overall I was really happy with my performance. I thought the race went exactly as planned and I hit my goals pretty much. I wanted an hour first run, a two hour bike and a half hour second run. Really this race is a training race for the US National Championship in Cary NC 17 May. Next week I am off to Denmark for another duathlon. This one is 10km run- 120km bike - 20 km run. These races are really getting me ready for the US one.

I was blown away by the competition. I felt like I had a respectable race but I was 151 out of 238 men and in my age group 27 out of 37. So many really strong racers it was inspiring. But I also know that it is my pre-season still and really I am just getting into great racing shape (usually happens by late August.)

Sincerely,

Paul

Originally posted by pfomalont

Hi all,

Wow I have had a super busy couple of work weeks along with a duathlon in the middle so as usual I have gotten behind on the training updates but here it goes.

Chris- Just read your race report. Your blog is great fun to read. I really enjoy the details and story in your writing. I especially like the part where you were duelling with your rival. From doing lots of the same races I get rivals, in the nicest possible sense, and it is fun to compete against them. It is a great feeling when they are stronger than you at some races and then you are able to finally beat them. I think the most impressive part of your race is that you went in with a very planned strategy. I think this is a great lesson for triathletes is that the first couple of tris is about the experience but having a plan is important. Great points also about the swim. The adage is that you can't win a triathlon in the swim but you can lose it. Sounds like you had your effort dialled in. Great job on the bike. 21.3 mph is fast!! I hate to say it but I think that the bike and wheel set can make a pretty big difference. I would not be surprised if you can have an avg speed of 2mph higher on a good bike. 2nd place is great but more importantly a time of 1:06 is really fast. Sub 1:00 sprint??

Jennifer- Looks like you are getting a good frequency of workouts. Since you noted in your training log that you are on the road I assume that you are travelling. It is really interesting looking at your average times. They are all on a downward trend. Even though many of your work outs are short (20 - 30 minutes) the fact that you do something nearly every day is paying off. Hopefully you will get a chance to get in some longer workouts now that spring has arrived.

Neil- I looked at your race log and it looked like you had a good race. All three of your disciplines seem to be pretty much in synch with each other. It seems like the race really pushed you in a good way. Your swim and bike average looks higher than you normal effort during training. Racing does really help kick everything up a notch. It looks like you had a solid run which means that your training is working if you can perform well in the run after the intensity. Looks like you have had a pretty light week, which is good because recovery is important. As race season starts it is interesting how workouts change. Depending on the date of the next races you have I would scale down the time in your workouts but make them more intense. You have built the base now it is time to get faster.

Bill- You are the epitome of consistency. The paper route is great to give you a daily dose of running and biking. 5 hours of yard work one weekend. That is a lot. Sounds like you are battling some fatigue and injury issues (knee.) It was interesting to read the clips versus non-clip pedals that you started. I agree for MTB it is a nicer feel to not have your legs fixed especially if you need to bail from the bike. I think though on a road bike you will really like being clipped in for speed. Any races planned?

Cassandra- You have a great training log. I really like that you put a comment to each workout. Like I commented on Chris's feedback the bike can make a big difference. Even a $20 road bike will probably move you faster than a MTB. The skinny wheels with out trail tread on them make the biggest difference. It is great that you have these mini events to compete in. I really like the duathlon one because it gives you a brick workout. Seems like you are getting really good workouts. I like the bike ride with the hill that is "too steep." Good job on powering through it. You are smart to really concentrate on your swimming form. I know that the results might not be there yet but good technique makes all the difference in the swim. I think that you are right on target for your race in May. Keep up the good work.

Travis- Everyone is doing yard work. From the comments in your training posts I see that you are paying attention to your form. So important. I have learned that lesson from swimming and now try to have better technique in my biking and running. It is great that you are getting out on the trails for some running. So much better for your knees and is always more pleasant to on trails then on streets. Looks like Shadow Dog is getting into form as well. I see that you have signed up for the Desert Xterra in September. I was lucky enough to mountain bike in Fruita while on a road trip many years ago. What a cool place. I bet that race will be amazing. Any swimming plans?

Sandi- Hello and welcome to the group. I think that you have an excellent plan. I understand that you want to make sure you can do all of the distances before your race. I was exactly the same way. It is mentally reassuring and that is the most important piece for our first race. Try and fit in a few bricks. Bricks are doing two of the disciplines together in a workout. After a swim go for a bike or go for a run after you bike. It is really important that your body can feel this change before the race. If you go into the race without this it is a surprising shock to your body when you have to do it.

Myself- This last week I was recovering from a hard race (I'll make a separate post about it.) Just did some light biking and running. Need to start swimming some more.

With race season starting and or starting soon seems like a lot of us are off to a good start. I am impressed by the amount of training that I see in the logs and it is great to see so many people active and enjoying it.

Sincerely,

Paul