Shamrock Duathlon 5-23-2010

My goal for the year is to do an Olympic triathlon. I laid out a schedule of races, races I was going to definitely do, races I might consider, and then races that would be great to do if I was in shape. The Shamrock Duathlon was one of those great races to do if I was in shape.

I have been working quite a bit on my riding and some on my biking, although not as much as I would like to. I did get out a couple weeks ago and ride the Duathlon Course, except I missed the turn on Butter Ball and ended up on a fast single lane with Jersey Barriers and no shoulders.

I spent the last two weeks debating doing the race. I have been feeling down, and my midweek run I cut short at two miles instead of the scheduled 5 – a rarity that I don’t complete my run.

I took the next two days off completely. I made up my mind a couple times to not race, believing myself not fully trained and not wanting to wreck the rest of my season if I mashed myself up too badly.

I ended up driving down to Cycling Concepts and registering on Saturday. It came down to this: Feeling old and tired, and like I wasn’t getting in my workouts or feeling like the man for doing the race. What kind of choice is that when you hold the power to make the choice.

My plan was simply to not get lost, not come in last, and to finish before they closed the course.

I figured it would take me about two and a half hours. I noticed few people ran negative splits on their 5Ks so I made certain to run slow on the first 5K. I was aiming for 31-33 minutes, hoping I could replicate it on the back end. I started near the back of the pack and after the first few minutes had very few people pass me.
I ended up catching up to a friend of mine from the triathlon class I took a couple years ago and we ran the last mile and a half together.

The transition was pretty easy, other than realizing I had double knotted my sneakers, which was a pain having to switch to my bike shoes. I also stood and took a long drink from my Heed Sports drink, then off to bike.

I enjoyed the bike. Not having gotten the head start I get in a triathlon from the swimming, I had very few people pass me on the bike and I passed several. I did very well on the hills. It helped to have ridden the course before. I also did very well with my shifting and cadence, so I didn’t wear my legs out too much. I coasted a lot on the down hills. I wasn’t really trying to burn up the course, just take it easy.

No flat tires, the bike held up well.

I was glad to hit the transition zone. I took my time walking to the bike rack and putting my sneakers back on and taking another long drink.

The run I will say was painful. I ran the whole way, but very slowly, my back was stiff and I was tired. I did manage a sprint at the end to beat a fat guy who was ahead of me.

Afterwards, I drank several bottles of water and then finally had an excellent glass of Ten Penny Ale, the race’s sponsor. It tasted so good, had it not been Sunday, I would have bought a six pack of it on the way home.

I have to say my confidence is quite high. Now I still don’t feel in the best shape, and know I have a long way to go, but I feel like an athlete. I was able to complete an event in a reasonable time – an event done by runners and bikers, of which I was neither just a few years ago.

What’s ahead? A couple days of rest, some swimming, then back to the bike, and maybe not run again until later in the week.

Next event will likely be the Iron Horse 10K in two weeks as long as my legs hold up. My goal will be beating my last year’s time.



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Shamrock Duathlon May 23, 2010

Results

Finish: 2:26:05
294 out of 315
16 of 17 Clydesdales

1st 5K: 31:20
296 out of 315

Transition 2:09

Bike: 1:14:42
297 out of 314
13.6 mph

Transition 2::17

2nd 5K: 35:39
290 out of 309