Race Report By Roger Hospedales, Team Running Free
Race: CFB Borden Duathlon
Date: Sunday September 16, 2007.
Location: Canadian Forces Base Borden, Ontario
Description: 4.4 km Run, 25 km Bike, 4.5 km Run
Sport: Duathlon
Website: www.multisportcanada.com
Once again, not much training this week and it feels great to not have a schedule to follow. I just have to make sure not to do my normal thing and gain 10-20 lbs during these fall months. This was going to be my final duathlon of the season and I can’t believe the season is over already.
Got to bed at 4 am after a great night out with friends and arose again just before 8 am. I got lost (Note: after driving through Alliston and getting to the Dairy Queen, instead of continuing left onto 89, go right and head north on 15 and it goes right into Base Borden), and got to the race site with the race about to start in 10 minutes.
Registered, set up equipment, etc., in record speed and made my way to the start line (needing a visit to the bathroom but not getting it).
The Run (4.4 km)
Started at the back so I had to pick my way through the field. After about 1 km there was more room and passing was a lot easier. The trails (soft terrain, hills) helped break up the field and this would space things out perfectly for the bike ride. Last year’s run was entirely on pavement (except for the grass finish) so this year’s run on the mix of pavement, trails and grass was much more challenging. I was still sore from a 14 km run yesterday (doing my pacer duties for the Scotia Half Marathon) so it took 2 km to get my legs and Achilles warmed up. I picked up the pace slightly and passed a few people that are usually ahead of me. I finished the run in 20:05, and made it through T1 in 48 seconds.
The Bike (25 km)
The course is fairly flat with a few uphills at the end of the ride. I planned to hammer the bike with all I had but the wind seemed to be coming from everywhere. Overall, it was a decent ride but I my legs felt sluggish (this happens when you don’t ride for a week – last ride was the Wasaga Duathlon). I passed 28 people, completed the bike in 42:20, averaging 35.4 km/hr and had the 13th best bike overall. In T2 one of my pedal platforms stayed on my foot so I had to waste a few seconds to take it off my foot and carry it by hand. I was out of there in 43 seconds.
The Final Run (4.5 km)
I started the run easy and knew that some of the big guns in my age group were way ahead, I figured I was in 3rd place in my age group and had a 1-2 minute lead over the next guy. With 2 km to go I got in the mood to pass a few guys who were within sight (all of them usually well ahead of me at most races). I passed a few and ran hard to the finish. I finished the run in 22:03. Definitely not lightning quick, but good enough to maintain my 3rd place age group position and 20th overall. After the race I spent a lot of time chatting with as much people as I could since I would not be seeing most until next season.
The Stats:
4.4 km Run – 20:25 (44th worst run)
T1 – 0:48
25 km Bike – 42:20 (13th best overall)
T2 – 0:43
4.5 km Run – 22:03
Total Time – 1:26:16 (20th overall, 132 competitors, 3rd in 35-39)
Final thoughts
With this being my last duathlon of the season, I’d like to congratulate John Salt and his crew at Multisport Canada for providing another awesome year of racing. I truly love everything they do and I don’t know what my weekends would be like without the HSBC Series. I’ll miss the whole crew and all the incredible athletes during the winter hibernation, see you all in the spring.
Congrats to Gary Kennedy who totally kicked butt with a 5th overall placing and to Angus Kim who placed 2nd in the under 40 Clydesdale division.
Up next: 5 Peaks Race at Horseshoe Resort.
What was your heart trate?