Victoria’s Duathlon

Race: Victoria’s Duathlon
Date: Monday May 19, 2008
Location: Waterloo, Ontario
Description: 4km run/24km bike/4km run

I have done this race for the last 3 years and each have been with varying degrees of fitness.  The first year was after a winter of solid training for Lake Placid, last year some mild training and the race was my first brick of the year so not much more to say.  This year I am back in IM training as we are as I write this 8 weeks out from Ironman Switzerland.  To prepare I have been working with Tara Norton who has put a lot more structure into my workouts.  Her program is great for me as we have trained together here and there over the last year so she knows what my strengths and weaknesses are.  Compared to my previous coaches there is much more intensity built in.  I was interested to see how this would translate into a race, so Victoria’s Du was going to tell me.  Phaedra and I both signed up for the race but unfortunately she hurt her neck on Sunday so no racing for her today.  Too bad as I know she would have had a great race.

The conditions for the day could only be described as brutal.  It was windy (steady at about 40kph), rainy, some hail and about 4 degrees, needless to say less than ideal.  I had decided that I was going to run my Zipp disc so needless to say I was a bit concerned with the wind.  I am going to race with it in Switzerland so need to get comfortable with it in all situations.  Yesterday I got all situations.

First 4k Run:  I was in the 4th wave going off and it started out pretty fast but I was able to settle into a comfortable pace.  I had a long weekend of training so wanted to make sure I saved something for the bike and 2nd run.  I came in just under 16 minutes and feeling good.  I was in a group of 4 or 5 in my AG.

24k Bike:  This ride was just nasty, for the first half of the ride you were pretty much dead into the wind.  I settled into a good grove but was getting pushed all over the place, not scary but my grip on my aerobars was pretty tight.  About 2k into the ride I was passed by the only person that would pass me on the bike.  At the turnaround it suddenly went from a struggle to hold a decent pace to a rocket ride back to transition.  

Second 4k Run:  After a relatively quick transition I was out on the run and settled into a comfortable pace.  After most training rides Tara has me run which really paid off in getting my legs going quickly.   I was by myself for a lot of this run, I was passing people but without any idea of what AG people are in it made it tough to push that extra bit.  Coming into the finish I was feeling pretty strong and happy with my effort for the day. 

I figured that I had a pretty good race but without body marking it was hard to figure out where you were.  I was very suprised when I checked the results to see that I finished 3rd of 70 in the Mens 40-44 AG.   I was very happy with my day considering how challenging the conditions were and a great start to the season.   My next planned race is the Muskoka Chase and I am excited to how Coach Tara’s program translates into a longer race. 

The Trisport Canada Team put on a great race and the volunteers were fantastic.   The weather for this race can be hit and miss but for an early test of fitness it is a great race to put on your schedule.

 It was great to see a number of Team Running Free team members having great days out there.