If you can run and ride a bike you can do this too.
I participated in my first multisport event today, having been injury free and with very little back pain to worry about it was time to git-r-done.
I have been cycling for about five years now, this year having the lowest mileage to spend more time working on my running. I have always thought cycling was my best sport.
Feeling depressed due to back injuries over the last couple years and hurting my lower back again in the early spring there were thoughts of not competing again this year in a triathlon. I knew it was time to re-think my plans and take what ever is the best and healthiest route to take. Since I have not been in the pool or water since March 2013 it was easily a good choice to do a Duathlon instead. I can always work on my swimming when the season is over.
I was really only going to do Lakeside but after training by myself and trying brick work discovered the pain of leg cramps during the bike to run transitions. I learned early in the real race I would not give up so easily. I endured and stretched while on the run. My training was short lived.
I reduced my bike rides from 120 km to just 60 km with the bike club so I could not over train leading to injuries. This happened before while training to do a marathon which side lined me for the summer.
My running has been increasing since I joined another running club. It was great, and I felt comfortable running at their level. I was running up to 54 km prior to racing the Duathlon.
I cut back mid week to rest my legs prior to the race, and focused on getting 7-8 hours sleep and increasing my carbs in the later part of the week. I avoided foods that would upset my stomach. I was very nervous as I really dislike crowds of any size.
My biggest worry was not having enough time to prepare and how was I getting on and off the bike with road shoes without falling over. I trained Thursday before the race and headed to the park to practice getting on and off the bike while running in road shoes. This is probably one of the best things I did to prepare as it was so fast and easy going in and out of transition.
I was so nervous race morning having to get up so early and drive in the dark worrying about my upset stomach. I figured getting there early would help reduce the stress and settle things down a bit.
Arriving at the park in the fog was a sight, there were very few athlete’s in the parking lot. I had forgotten which order I was to get ready. I took my bike to the transition and found a spot as close to the exit to rack my bike. Then I went and checked and and forgot my ankle timing chip which my wife reminded me to get. I had stripped my bike down to the bare bones leaving just my Xlabs aero hydration bottle. No tool kit or spares. I even took off and extra bottle holders a couple weeks prior to the race.
The Duathlon started and ended in Couchiching Park. The transition area is in a fenced in grassy area near the beach. The Triathlon was started 15 minutes before the Duathlon. I paid one last visit the the bathroom before I started a running warm up. I may have run slow and quick bursts for about 2 km before taking shelter behind a building to keep out of the cold wind.
I had placed my bike helmet upside down over the drinking straw from my aero-bottle to keep it in place while I did the first run. I also put a red towel on the ground with my road shoes placed so I could easily jump into them prior to running out of the transition with the bike. I decided to wear my sun glasses to avoid confusion during T1 and T2. I also wore my visor. I put one GU plain gel in my back jersey pocket then decided to tuck it into my right pant-leg of my shorts when it fell out into the back of my shorts.
About 66 runners had lined up and I positioned my self near the front after checking out the best possible spot to start without getting trapped near the back. This would give a bit of advantage not having to worry about trying to make my way through the runners like I had to do last year at the zoo run in Toronto. I was in the wrong corral and should have been in the first wave of runners as I ended up catching the first wave and did not want to do that again at this race.
It was a fast start, the 2 km run was my fastest ever. I really don’t know how but I did it in 7.51 minutes. I didn’t stop for any water at the two aid stations I passed. As I ran up the hill I could see my wife smiling as I ran down the other side of the hill into the grassy transition area. As I passed over the time strip I noticed a bunch in front of me in half dressed wet suits.
I ran a short distance to where my bike was racked near the end of the second row. I put my helmet on first, backwards then realized and turned it around. Quickly I kicked off my running shoes then slipped on my road shoes and push the Velcro straps down. I suddenly arranged my running shoes for the T2 transition. It took 1:26, not too bad.
I ran out with the bike quickly and slowed enough that I could clip in my left foot as soon as I crossed the line and had enough movement to throw my right leg over and head up the hill. There was a big pack close to greater with all different types of bikes and skill levels. I waited and passed when safe and within the rules. I felt really good as it picked up good speed and starting passing many riders while in the aero-bars. This was an advantage for me.
The 30 km bike route was well marked every 10 km. I saw a good number of riders with flats, I think that was good to take some extra caution and not push so hard on corners of bad roads. I pushed steady and kept passing where I could. I did get blocked by riders riding side by side for too long and I yelled out and just then someone passed me over the road line into oncoming traffic. With about 10 km left in the bike race I took in a jell and planned my stretches to the last 3 km. I raced down the hill to the finish line and my brakes squealed as I UN-clipped my right foot as I rode with only my left foot clipped in and my right foot behind ready to land. Just as my right foot touch down the back of the bike popped up and I un-clipped my left foot and started running. I heard cheers from fans that mad me feel great. I even passed another running in bike shoes.
T2 time was 1:15, a lot quicker. I ran out the other end of the transition area and headed down the first hill. I looked at my Garmin watch to see if my pace was not too fast or slow. I was running about the same as the first run, just under a 4 min km. I passed the first aid station and passed on the water.
I could feel my chest getting tight and acid working it’s way up my throat. I would walk through the next aid station to settle it down. About one third of the way through the 7 km run I could feel pain just over the inside of my left knee. I slowed down to reduce any risk of injury and focused on good form. I eventually stopped half way to massage it. I picked up the pace again as I stared to catch my list spot. The the pain struck again, once more I stopped to attend to my knee and then finally I could make a good pace to the finish with about 2 km to go. I rounded some corners and finally saw the end in sight and opened my stride but not too much. It took 36:51 to do the 7 km sprint. I was disappointed but realized I was there to have fun doing my very first Duathlon.
The race took 1 hour and 50 min. I was so glad when I looked at the stats board that I came in 5th place in my age group and 18th over all. I was so excited I had done so well considering my knee problem.
I plan on doing one more race this summer, but hope to train for a triathlon for next season.
