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National Duathlon Festival - DuathlonOther


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Richmond, Virginia
United States
Sports Backers
90F / 32C
Sunny
Total Time = 3h 09m 4s
Overall Rank = 799/978
Age Group = 30-34
Age Group Rank = 29/36
Pre-race routine:

Got up around 7:20, got ready slowly, ate breakfast. Set up transition around 9:30-10:00. Went to the bathroom about 50 billion times, I was very hydrated! Sat under a tree in the shade near the start until 15 minutes before our wave.
Event warmup:

Did a VERY short warmup jog and got in the corral.
Run
  • 58m 21s
  • 6.21 miles
  • 09m 24s  min/mile
Comments:

Started out strong, nice downhills for the first mile and I used that to my advantage. I noticed there was still a BIG group in front of me though, so I already knew my chances were not good to qualify.

At about mile 3, I see a long line of people walking in a line along the train tracks, with a train sitting directly in my path...hmmm. I get up to the train and realize we have to walk down the tracks until the end of the train, then cross to the other side. You pretty much have to walk with the angle of the rocks, there's not much room (hence the line of people walking). Interesting.

Not much after that I feel my pace really slipping, but my effort level is steadily rising. I adjust my goal to at least finish this section running, I rather slow down and keep running - I know that's the faster option.

By mile 4, that's not going to happen. I can feel the full effects of the heat and sun beating down on me and my effort is pretty high at this point. I break down and take a quick walk break and try to make it my only break. That didn't happen, so I just tried to walk as little as possible. The trail climb up to transition was not very nice - but I was so happy to finally make it to transition.
What would you do differently?:

I honestly don't know. I don't acclimate well to heat and I hydrated as well as I could.
Transition 1
  • 01m 35s
Comments:

I tried to hurry in transition, but things just weren't going very smoothly. I made myself start running with the bike, but I was having trouble steering the bike on the bumpy grass area. Not as fast as I should have gone, though.
What would you do differently?:

Focus better
Bike
  • 1h 34m 56s
  • 23.86 miles
  • 15.08 mile/hr
Comments:

I find it hilarious that I actually gained a spot on this ridiculous bike. I decided the night before to only take my aerobottle on the ride (with Infinit in it) - that was a HUGE mistake. The Infinit was fine, but it was not quenching my thirst and I spent the ride miserable and SOOOOO thirsty. All I wanted to do was get water - I was scanning the crowds, the streets, anything for water. I couldn't focus on trying to go faster, I just wanted to get something to drink. Looking at my pace, I can see my splits dropping off each lap, as I got more and more thirsty.

My pace was pathetic, I was embarrassed to have my aerohelmet and race wheels on, I wanted to switch out to something else. The course was not flat at all, there were lots of small inclines and several long inclines - doing it three times made it worse, knowing what was coming. There were several sections I was riding 6-9mph, yikes! I could feel my skin baking in the sun and I just wanted WATER!!!

I really considered stopping every time I passed transition, but I knew Rebecca would kill me if I made her do this race and then I quit - that's pretty much the main reason I kept going.

Did I mention this sucked?! :)
What would you do differently?:

Carry water - I don't care about extra weight, aero advantage (these things certainly don't matter at this pace anyway!), or whatever else - I need water!!
Transition 2
  • 02m 9s
Comments:

I didn't do a flying dismount, I just stopped the bike and walked into transition. I did yell at Rebecca as I saw her standing there with her bike - I got irrationally mad for a second because I kept riding (no water!) so she wouldn't be angry with me for quitting when I helped convince her to race. :) (BTW - she absolutlely made the right decision to stop)

I didn't even consider running into transition at this point, I just kept moving forward as best I could.

Got to my rack put things away deliberately, switched shoes, and downed 3/4 of a bottle of water I had at transition. Felt a little better, jogged/walked out of transition. Grabbed more water/ice from the table and tried to cool off.
What would you do differently?:

Hmm....
Run
  • 32m 5s
  • 3.11 miles
  • 10m 19s  min/mile
Comments:

This was almost comical. I had tried to set up my Garmin for multisport, but obviously did something wrong because it was done when I left transition. I couldn't get it to turn back on, so no pace or time info at this point. I didn't really care that much, I just wanted to be done with this race.

My mouth still seemed so dry and I was still thirsty, but my stomach was feeling very full of water. I tried to just rinse my mouth out with water at the stops and from my fuelbelt, but it was hard when I felt so thirsty. Unfortunately, running with a sloshing belly of water and this heat (and no shade) was tough. I did what I could and walked when I started to feel sick. I'm actually surprised that my pace was faster than I expected, although that's not saying much.
What would you do differently?:

Run
Post race
Warm down:

Sat down with the cold rag, wiped myself down with the cold water, and rested.

What limited your ability to perform faster:

The heat! I knew going into the race all bets were off, I don't do well in heat, especially starting so late in the day. This was the main reason I didn't do Gulf Coast this year, but somehow the heat found me anyway. The average high in Richmond is 72* this time of year - the race was about 20* above that!

The race turned into damage control, not really a race way too early. I don't know what I should have done differently based on what happened. I do wish I had known the bike course profile better, I would have mixed more Bud Plant rides in, instead of preparing for a flatter profile.

Event comments:

The organization of the race was great, racks were even marked with letters making it very easy in transition. Volunteers were great. I wish they would have adjusted the wave time schedule when the temps were predicted so high - with 30 minutes between waves there was plenty of adjustment time. More water on the course, at least adding one station on the bike, would have been smart based on the temperature.

The schwag included with our entry fee was unbeatable - tri bag, shirt, hat, pint glass - all for $65!

I would do this race again - I probably will next year - but I will be praying for average temps, instead of near-record breaking temps.




Last updated: 2008-11-10 12:00 AM
Running
00:58:21 | 06.21 miles | 09m 24s  min/mile
Age Group: 29/36
Overall: 0/978
Performance: Below average
Course: Winding through Richmond, around trains, riverwalk area, under train tracks, and up a trail to transition
Keeping cool Average Drinking Just right
T1
Time: 01:35
Overall: Below average
Run with bike? Below average
Jump on bike? Average
Getting up to speed and into shoes: Average
Biking
01:34:56 | 23.86 miles | 15.08 mile/hr
Age Group: 28/36
Overall: 0/978
Performance: Bad
Wind: Little
Course: 3 loop course around Richmond and into residential areas
Road: Rough Dry Cadence:
Turns: Below average Cornering: Average
Gear changes: Below average Hills: Bad
Race pace: Comfortable Drinks: Not enough
T2
Time: 02:09
Overall: Bad
Riding w/ feet on shoes
Jumping off bike Bad
Running with bike Bad
Racking bike Bad
Shoe and helmet removal Bad
Running
00:32:05 | 03.11 miles | 10m 19s  min/mile
Age Group: 31/36
Overall: 0/978
Performance: Below average
Course: Part of the 10K course, partly different.
Keeping cool Average Drinking Too much
Post race
Weight change: %
Overall: Below average
Mental exertion [1-5]
Physical exertion [1-5]
Good race? No
Evaluation
Course challenge Just right
Organized? Yes
Events on-time? Yes
Lots of volunteers? Yes
Plenty of drinks? No
Post race activities: Average
Race evaluation [1-5] 4

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2009-04-27 7:38 PM

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Expert
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Marietta, GA
Subject: National Duathlon Festival


2009-04-27 8:26 PM
in reply to: #2114138


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Subject: RE: National Duathlon Festival
I think I am going to copy and paste your bike report on my race report. I felt the exact same way. I always go by Matts advice, but I was really regretting only one bottle with WARM accelerade. Cold water has never tasted so good.

Congrats on getting through the heat!
2009-04-27 8:41 PM
in reply to: #2114138

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Master
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Subject: RE: National Duathlon Festival
Tough race and you stuck it out.  That says much more about you than a finishing time.  
2009-04-27 9:08 PM
in reply to: #2114138

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Master
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Muskego, WI
Subject: RE: National Duathlon Festival
nice job on finishing! I worked med tent Sat and Sun (Sun after my morning race) and started a LOT of IV's. There were alot in the med tent who were part of a team also. Heat exhaustion everywhere...

Be very proud of what you accomplished!! (my bike pace was way off norm too, and second run was really short...I knew I did not run that fast, glad it was short!)
2009-04-28 7:02 AM
in reply to: #2114138

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Master
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Winder, GA
Subject: RE: National Duathlon Festival
Way to stick it out and finish - I know it was tough! The heat was definitely a factor!! It's so hard to acclimate to the heat this early in the season, forget about temps in the 90's! I'm impressed with your finish and I can't believe they didn't have a water hand-off on the bike.
2009-04-28 9:43 AM
in reply to: #2114138

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Master
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Roswell, GA
Subject: RE: National Duathlon Festival

Sorry the temps didn't make this your day but congrats on sticking it out and finishing! 



2009-04-28 1:01 PM
in reply to: #2114138

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Veteran
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Kinston, NC
Subject: RE: National Duathlon Festival

Great job finishing.  That was one of the toughest days I have had racing due to that heat.  Like you, I want to go back when the temperatures are normal and see how I do.

2009-04-28 2:03 PM
in reply to: #2114138

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Expert
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BFE
Subject: RE: National Duathlon Festival

Way to hang tough Heather!

2009-04-28 2:57 PM
in reply to: #2114269

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Pro
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Vestavia Hills
Subject: RE: National Duathlon Festival
jonathan22 - 2009-04-27 9:41 PM Tough race and you stuck it out.  That says much more about you than a finishing time.  


Jonathan is spot-on in summing up the race you had and your mental toughness.  I'd claim victory just in that ...

At about mile 3, I see a long line of people walking in a line along the train tracks, with a train sitting directly in my path...hmmm. I get up to the train and realize we have to walk down the tracks until the end of the train, then cross to the other side. You pretty much have to walk with the angle of the rocks, there's not much room (hence the line of people walking). Interesting.


WTF?  Talk about a RD's nightmare as this is something you cannot plan for ... chalk it up to the experience of the day.

Sorry the race did not turn out as you would have liked.  It is early in the season, though, and there are many other races on the calendar.
2009-04-28 5:00 PM
in reply to: #2114138

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Elite
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Roswell, GA
Subject: RE: National Duathlon Festival

I can't imagine having a train in the way!  You did great grinding it out.

2009-04-28 8:56 PM
in reply to: #2116701

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Veteran
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Subject: RE: National Duathlon Festival
Way to stick it out.
Need to bring a pole or climbing equipment next time to go over the train instead of around it!


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