And so it was, that I was 'persuaded' to try a duathlon by a good mate from the aforementioned WhatsApp group. I've only just really got into Triathlon so hadn't really considered duathlon before. But the idea sounded like a good one, given that it focused on the two disciplines that I consider myself to be better at (Bike and run) and missed out the one I am not so good at (Swim).
In exchange for £40 and the obligatory booking fee, I was booked into the Bedford Autodrome Duathlon standard distance race. Standard distance in the case of a duathlon consists of a 10k run, followed by a 40k bike and finishing with a 5k run.
The distances didn't really phase me, the only area of 'concern' I had was the run to bike transition, having never trained specifically for that. From the time I entered I had a few weeks to at least try that out and see how it felt - which I managed the grand total of one time. I did a steady 5k and jumped straight on the turbo after for 10 miles on the bike. Ok, it didn't really get near race distances, but it gave me a sense of what to expect. To be honest, I didn't find it that bad really - not sure what I expected, but I was happy that I would make the transition from run to bike without issues.
The only other challenge it looked like we could face come race day was the weather which was forecast to be chilly and wet. But as always with a forecast, you take it with a pinch of salt - I would regret that come race day !
Friday evening before the race on Sunday, I spent a couple of hours getting the bike ready, cleaning it, de-greasing and re-lubing the chain and I even treated the frame to a coat of wax....well, if it was going to rain on Sunday, then a coat of wax wouldn't harm. Bike cleaned and checked it just needed a short spin on Saturday to make sure all was ok mechanically before race day.
Saturday before race day dawned a glorious day. Sun, blue sky and unseasonably warm for the time of year. I took the bike out for a short spin and all was well. Kit was selected, checked, checked and checked again before being packed. Roll on Sunday !
Sunday was an early start and again my mate had volunteered to do the driving and so arrived to collect me at 6am. Bikes and kit loaded....and guess what, it's still mild and there's no rain. 5 minutes later as we enter the M25, it starts raining and it will barely stop all day.
There were, I will admit, a fair few conversations about turning around, heading back, what was the point in racing in these conditions, but we never did turn back. We agreed to get to the venue and see what it was like when we arrived. On arriving and parking, it wasn't great, it was overcast, raining, windy and cold...but people were out and about getting set up, registering etc. That's what we'd do, lets go and get registered and see how we feel.....of course, next, we were on the start line ready for the off. It was still raining, it was still cold.
And then we were off, I was taking part in my first duathlon. I'd made a plan to take the first 10k a bit easier than if it was just a 10k race on its own. I thought 7.30 per mile pace would give me a reasonable finish time. As with most mass start races, you are taken away with the pace of the bunch so my first mile at somewhere under 7 minutes was more than I planned for, so I tried to regulate it more. I think this is where I maybe go wrong. My ability to maintain a running pace is possibly worse than my swimming....but still I try to do it and fail miserably. The moment I try to do that, I seem to swing between going faster, then slowing, then speeding up again. I think a better option would be just to go as quick as a I feel I can on the day, rather than trying to target a pace.
The rain was tipping down still, the wind was blowing and the standing water was, in places, like one of those water jumps in a steeple chase. It didn't take long for my feet and race kit to be totally soaked through. I finished the first run (10k) in a pretty average 46:33 and entered transition to get to the bike.
I managed to spend 2 mins in transition, even though, in theory, I only had to change my running shoes for bike shoes and put on my crash helmet. Instead, I worried about trying to keep my running shoes from getting more wet than they already were by turning then upside down and wrapping them in a jacket....but in hindsight I wonder if that was actually worth it? Also, given the rain, I elected to leave my riding glasses in transition, and of course that prompted another dither as I wondered where they would be safest. After being hit up the rear-end by a bike from a guy coming into transition, I eventually grabbed my bike and I was off. That initial chill and headwind as I picked up speed was awful....I was glad I'd chosen to wear a merino base layer under my tri suit.
The weather was just miserable as I made my way into the bike course...there didn't seem to a clear marker as to where the bike course started and where I should count my 8 laps from. I was soon up to speed and was surprised how, even in such awful conditions, I was able to hold above 20 mph on the course. The corners were a bit trickier to navigate but I soon figured out the best lines to take while keeping decent speed. One thing I enjoy about closed circuits is the surface is generally good, much better than roads and you aren't worrying about traffic, junctions, roundabouts etc. You can just focus on riding as quick as you can. In the conditions, you had to be wary of others around you as you certainly didn't want to put your self in the position of having to brake or change direction quickly or force others to do the same. Safety was the first priority, but I was making good progress.
And then the inevitable happens...is that 4 laps or 3...I can't recall? I always tell myself, how difficult can it be to count 8 laps...but I'd forgotten where I was on the lap count. Rain was driving into me, wind was picking up and my feet were feeling awful. I continued to make good progress and in a way, was enjoying the ride. As I came to what I thought was the end, I was trying my best to work out if I'd done 8 laps or 7...my time at the point was 1hr:09 mins. If I'd done the full 40k, then I was about 3 minutes quicker than I'd ridden that distance before....could that be right, in these conditions? I'd held on to near 20 mph or above most of the way, with no stopping, junctions etc. maybe that could be right...in the end, I decided not, and went off for one more lap...just to make sure ! I completed the bike in 1hr:15 mins which gave me an average of 20.4 mph - really pleased.
Jumping off the bike at the dismount line is always for me the first time I get to assess how my legs feel for the impending run. My legs didn't feel that bad, but it was my feet that felt weird....maybe it was just the bike shoes/cleats? Anyway, bike racked I went for the shoes...I couldn't get one undone...my hands were so cold I couldn't undo one of my bike shoes !! I hadn't even realised my hands were cold on the ride. But I'd been sat on the TT bars most of the time and the course was that flat I'd not changed gear....so probably hadn't used my hands in over an hour. I managed to get the shoe loose enough to yank it off, just the helmet....I couldn't get the clasp undone.....what a disaster this was. I had to ask the BTF official in transition if he could help, thankfully he did. Thank god I had elastic laces in my run shoes as I'd never have been capable of doing laces up !! I was ready to go on the last 5k run, just 2 laps to go and I'd be done.
It was at this point, I recalled that odd feeling in my feet...they felt like blocks of granite, very uncomfortable to run...this wasn't going to be a record breaking 5k !! I struggled round that first lap, confused as to what was up with my feet. Cold, water-logged? The second lap was a lot better, if just more comfortable rather than quicker. I eventually crossed/fell across the finish line. I'd made it, completed my first duathlon. That last run was dire, it took me 26:16 to run 5k which isn't great, but in the conditions, I was happy to have started the race, let alone finish.
Despite the weather, I enjoyed the format. The duathlon is a simpler race to prepare for, less to worry about in transition. I coped with the run to bike transition better than I thought I would - I imagined I might suffer as I wasn't used to running before the bike. I think on reflection, I should have pushed the first 10k harder but again, as this was my first attempt, I was worried about over doing it on the first run. As duathlons tend to be later in the year, perhaps thinking about gloves might be the way forward....getting into transition and realising you can't get your shoes or helmet off is a bit embarrassing !
This race was an ETU qualifier for team GB slots. I had considered paying the extra tenner to nominate the race and try to qualify. I'm glad I didn't !!! One thing that never fails to amaze me about Triathlon and now duathlon, is the quality of the athletes that enter.
The winner of my age group did the first 10k in 36 minutes ! 10 minutes quicker than me. I thought if I was ever going to realise the dream of a GB kit, duathlon might be the place to try. Given how poor my swim is - its unlikely to happen in a Tri. But again, that dream remains a way off for now....the quality out there is just way ahead of where I am racing currently. Maybe if I'm still racing in my 90's, I'll stand a better chance ! An interesting fact from this race - I was last in my age group !!
For now, would I do a duathlon again? Yes, I would. I really enjoyed it, especially this one, being on a race track and therefore totally traffic free. My kit choices overall were about spot on really. Gloves would be a consideration maybe...even to just chuck in the bag. Counting laps on the bike, I really have to be better at that - there must be a feature on the Garmin to help with that.
Lets hope that next time the weather might be more favourable and maybe I can upgrade from last in my age group !
Friday evening before the race on Sunday, I spent a couple of hours getting the bike ready, cleaning it, de-greasing and re-lubing the chain and I even treated the frame to a coat of wax....well, if it was going to rain on Sunday, then a coat of wax wouldn't harm. Bike cleaned and checked it just needed a short spin on Saturday to make sure all was ok mechanically before race day.
Saturday before race day dawned a glorious day. Sun, blue sky and unseasonably warm for the time of year. I took the bike out for a short spin and all was well. Kit was selected, checked, checked and checked again before being packed. Roll on Sunday !
Sunday was an early start and again my mate had volunteered to do the driving and so arrived to collect me at 6am. Bikes and kit loaded....and guess what, it's still mild and there's no rain. 5 minutes later as we enter the M25, it starts raining and it will barely stop all day.
There were, I will admit, a fair few conversations about turning around, heading back, what was the point in racing in these conditions, but we never did turn back. We agreed to get to the venue and see what it was like when we arrived. On arriving and parking, it wasn't great, it was overcast, raining, windy and cold...but people were out and about getting set up, registering etc. That's what we'd do, lets go and get registered and see how we feel.....of course, next, we were on the start line ready for the off. It was still raining, it was still cold.
And then we were off, I was taking part in my first duathlon. I'd made a plan to take the first 10k a bit easier than if it was just a 10k race on its own. I thought 7.30 per mile pace would give me a reasonable finish time. As with most mass start races, you are taken away with the pace of the bunch so my first mile at somewhere under 7 minutes was more than I planned for, so I tried to regulate it more. I think this is where I maybe go wrong. My ability to maintain a running pace is possibly worse than my swimming....but still I try to do it and fail miserably. The moment I try to do that, I seem to swing between going faster, then slowing, then speeding up again. I think a better option would be just to go as quick as a I feel I can on the day, rather than trying to target a pace.
The rain was tipping down still, the wind was blowing and the standing water was, in places, like one of those water jumps in a steeple chase. It didn't take long for my feet and race kit to be totally soaked through. I finished the first run (10k) in a pretty average 46:33 and entered transition to get to the bike.
I managed to spend 2 mins in transition, even though, in theory, I only had to change my running shoes for bike shoes and put on my crash helmet. Instead, I worried about trying to keep my running shoes from getting more wet than they already were by turning then upside down and wrapping them in a jacket....but in hindsight I wonder if that was actually worth it? Also, given the rain, I elected to leave my riding glasses in transition, and of course that prompted another dither as I wondered where they would be safest. After being hit up the rear-end by a bike from a guy coming into transition, I eventually grabbed my bike and I was off. That initial chill and headwind as I picked up speed was awful....I was glad I'd chosen to wear a merino base layer under my tri suit.
The weather was just miserable as I made my way into the bike course...there didn't seem to a clear marker as to where the bike course started and where I should count my 8 laps from. I was soon up to speed and was surprised how, even in such awful conditions, I was able to hold above 20 mph on the course. The corners were a bit trickier to navigate but I soon figured out the best lines to take while keeping decent speed. One thing I enjoy about closed circuits is the surface is generally good, much better than roads and you aren't worrying about traffic, junctions, roundabouts etc. You can just focus on riding as quick as you can. In the conditions, you had to be wary of others around you as you certainly didn't want to put your self in the position of having to brake or change direction quickly or force others to do the same. Safety was the first priority, but I was making good progress.
And then the inevitable happens...is that 4 laps or 3...I can't recall? I always tell myself, how difficult can it be to count 8 laps...but I'd forgotten where I was on the lap count. Rain was driving into me, wind was picking up and my feet were feeling awful. I continued to make good progress and in a way, was enjoying the ride. As I came to what I thought was the end, I was trying my best to work out if I'd done 8 laps or 7...my time at the point was 1hr:09 mins. If I'd done the full 40k, then I was about 3 minutes quicker than I'd ridden that distance before....could that be right, in these conditions? I'd held on to near 20 mph or above most of the way, with no stopping, junctions etc. maybe that could be right...in the end, I decided not, and went off for one more lap...just to make sure ! I completed the bike in 1hr:15 mins which gave me an average of 20.4 mph - really pleased.
Jumping off the bike at the dismount line is always for me the first time I get to assess how my legs feel for the impending run. My legs didn't feel that bad, but it was my feet that felt weird....maybe it was just the bike shoes/cleats? Anyway, bike racked I went for the shoes...I couldn't get one undone...my hands were so cold I couldn't undo one of my bike shoes !! I hadn't even realised my hands were cold on the ride. But I'd been sat on the TT bars most of the time and the course was that flat I'd not changed gear....so probably hadn't used my hands in over an hour. I managed to get the shoe loose enough to yank it off, just the helmet....I couldn't get the clasp undone.....what a disaster this was. I had to ask the BTF official in transition if he could help, thankfully he did. Thank god I had elastic laces in my run shoes as I'd never have been capable of doing laces up !! I was ready to go on the last 5k run, just 2 laps to go and I'd be done.
It was at this point, I recalled that odd feeling in my feet...they felt like blocks of granite, very uncomfortable to run...this wasn't going to be a record breaking 5k !! I struggled round that first lap, confused as to what was up with my feet. Cold, water-logged? The second lap was a lot better, if just more comfortable rather than quicker. I eventually crossed/fell across the finish line. I'd made it, completed my first duathlon. That last run was dire, it took me 26:16 to run 5k which isn't great, but in the conditions, I was happy to have started the race, let alone finish.
Despite the weather, I enjoyed the format. The duathlon is a simpler race to prepare for, less to worry about in transition. I coped with the run to bike transition better than I thought I would - I imagined I might suffer as I wasn't used to running before the bike. I think on reflection, I should have pushed the first 10k harder but again, as this was my first attempt, I was worried about over doing it on the first run. As duathlons tend to be later in the year, perhaps thinking about gloves might be the way forward....getting into transition and realising you can't get your shoes or helmet off is a bit embarrassing !
This race was an ETU qualifier for team GB slots. I had considered paying the extra tenner to nominate the race and try to qualify. I'm glad I didn't !!! One thing that never fails to amaze me about Triathlon and now duathlon, is the quality of the athletes that enter.
The winner of my age group did the first 10k in 36 minutes ! 10 minutes quicker than me. I thought if I was ever going to realise the dream of a GB kit, duathlon might be the place to try. Given how poor my swim is - its unlikely to happen in a Tri. But again, that dream remains a way off for now....the quality out there is just way ahead of where I am racing currently. Maybe if I'm still racing in my 90's, I'll stand a better chance ! An interesting fact from this race - I was last in my age group !!
For now, would I do a duathlon again? Yes, I would. I really enjoyed it, especially this one, being on a race track and therefore totally traffic free. My kit choices overall were about spot on really. Gloves would be a consideration maybe...even to just chuck in the bag. Counting laps on the bike, I really have to be better at that - there must be a feature on the Garmin to help with that.
Lets hope that next time the weather might be more favourable and maybe I can upgrade from last in my age group !
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