Bear it all Off Road Duathlon 2011 Race Report

This race was originally supposed to be a triathlon on October 9.  Then it got below freezing and the swim was cancelled.  Then it rained a lot the day before the race and the race was postponed until October 30.  The race director was really nice about the whole postponement--he offered us the option to have a refund, to defer our entry to 2012, or to race on October 30.  I'm not quite sure what I was thinking when I picked the third option.

This week came and I took my exam on Wednesday.  We also got over 6 inches of snow that day and I thought with all the snow melt the trails would be too muddy to race again.  I was sort of hoping there would be no race since I was now really out of shape on the bike. I actually got in better running shape the past few weeks, but unfortunately there was a lot of biking in this race. I was shocked to find out Saturday night that the race was still on and was regretting working out a little too much the past few days.  Oh well!

Race morning brought sunshine and chilly temperatures at first which quickly warmed up in the sun.  The new format was run 2.6 miles, mountain bike 22 miles, run 5.6 miles starting in a time trial format.  My # was 9 based on our swim seeded times, but with less participants, I was 3rd to start behind a pro male, and some other guy and Adam starting right behind me.

I started off the first run relaxed but at a good pace.  I've done a few duathlons, and I know how much the second run hurts if the first one is done too hard.  Right away Adam flew by me, then another guy, and another.  I could see all the guys passing and then trying to run together.  I just stayed relaxed and kept pace behind the guy I started behind.  I wasn't sure how many people were in the long course race (my race) and how many women were racing.  I had a feeling not to many but I had no clue.  Kind of a weird feeling.

I got through the first run feeling good and fumbled around in transition a little since I'm not used to wearing socks, gloves, headband, etc.

I started out the course a little tired from the run, I got to a super steep hill very soon and was not prepared for it so I dismounted midway and walked up and got passed by a couple guys there.  From there it was twisty and windy and up and down for awhile, and then the same guy that passed me a few minutes prior passed me again.  Huh? Did he take a wrong turn? After that guy passed me early on, the rest of the first lap was like a ride through the park by myself.  I was following the arrows, but there were times I wondered if I was on course because I was all alone.  It was kind of nice. I just relaxed and did my own thing and rode my own pace.

The course to begin with was not very technical and a couple sections were rerouted to road due to the mud/clay so it was really pretty technically easy, but there were no places to rest on the course.  The second loop went by faster because I had some people from the short course to pass.  Midway through the second lap, I was ready to be done.  I was wishing I had done the short course, and wondering if I was the only woman in my race or not.

Into T2, I took my time and talked to a couple spectating teammates, and then headed off for a run.  A guy starting his second loop was right behind me and I could hear him laboring to keep up.  I kept my pace and didn't worry about him.  He passed me halfway through and then seemed to slow after a short while, so I passed him again.  I could see what I thought was Adam up ahead, likely on his second lap.  I pushed the pace a little to drop the guy and to catch Adam before he did. As AI got closer to Adam he kept turning around.  Finally I yelled "stop turning around!"  If you want to tell a runner that you are feeling tired and weak and scared in a race, then turn around.  Otherwise, keep looking forward, looking back does nothing but show that you are an easy pass.  Anyway, I finally caught him, told him to come with me and kept moving. The guy did catch him, but Adam did out sprint him at the line and finish ahead of him in the overall, in case you are wondering.

I was feeling pretty good but I had another lap to go,  Towards the end of the first lap I saw a guy ahead of me and caught him a little ways into the second lap.  I remember seeing him behind me on the switchbacks coming up the climb on the second loop, but never got passed by him on the bike. How the heck did he get ahead of me then? I was a little confused and of course this is also when my glutes and hamstrings also got really confused and slowed down a little.

I tried to finish strong and was pretty sure I was first female and possibly only female to finish the long course.

So, I did finally win a race this year, and I suppose it counts because there was one other female in the race.

It was a fun race and turned out to be a nice day. I personally would make the bike shorter, and put it earlier in the year so that there is less chance of the swim getting cancelled.  And maybe have more volunteers out because even though it was well marked there were a lot of places where people could take wrong turns or cut the course.  It was a nice local race and had some nice awards for us.

3rd overall for Adam, 1st overall for me (just a little more competitive in the mens race)