DU What?!

That's right folks.  I did my first duathlon yesterday.  That's run bike run for those of you who actually said du what?  1 mile, 11 miles, 1 mile to be specific.  There is a du series in Springfield every Tuesday night for 4 weeks that is specifically designed for beginners and those who want to get out, have fun, and race together in a relaxed setting.  The races are very laid back and short.  "Perfect!" I thought,  "I'm a beginner who is laid back and likes short distances."  Oh ho ho ho did they have me fooled!  David says the picture below is me "sizing up my competition before the race."  What I am actually doing is counting all of the guys wearing time trial helmets and winners that I recognized from previous races in our area. 

 "The goal is to not finish behind anyone with straight handle bars," David joked.  "The goal is to not finish last!" I said very seriously.  Besides, I didn't see anyone with straight handle bars.  They all had road bikes, carbon ones.  Or tri bikes with disk wheels.  Yeah, that guy's gonna be real slow I'm sure!

 

Anyway, like I said, these races are pretty "laid back."  We all gathered around for the "pre-race meeting" and then the guy just yelled "GO!" without warning.

 I was pretty confident in my run since it was only a mile to begin with and because it is my strength.  I was able to stay with the middle of the pack into the 1st transition.

 One thing I need to work on?  Getting clipped in BEFORE I push off and start pedaling.

 I was so nervous about getting left behind that I didn't clip in right away and spent about a full minute trying to get my feet in the pedals.  Thank the Lord I did not fall.

 The bike course was a tough one.  I ranged from 30 mph to about 5 mph.  That is how hilly the roads were.  It is very humbling to watch biker after biker pass you on the course.  2nd thing I need to work on?  Riding on the road and not the trainer.  At one point I remember changing my goal from not coming in last to not getting off and walking up the steepest hill I had ever ridden.  "Not much further and you get to run again," I told myself.  Get to run again?  I never thought I would hear myself say that.

 I was able to keep one girl that was about 200yrds ahead of me in my sights for the entire bike.  She was wearing a blue shirt.  I don't know if I was more motivated because I thought I could catch up with her or because she kept me from getting lost on the course.  T2 went smoothly and finally I got to run again.  Thank goodness it was only a mile.  I was able to catch blue shirt girl at the half mile point and beat her to the finish line.

 And yay I didn't come in last!  Actually I didn't even come in second to last.  I'd say I was about 40th out of 50.  But that is just a guess because they haven't posted the results yet.  My actual time was 60:16. 

 Boy was I glad to be done!

 And here's what I looked like when I found out I wasn't last!  Just kidding, I'm smiling at (more like scaring) my son.

Though this race was challenging, I am glad I did it.  I was able get the jitters of my first race that involved a bike out of my system.  I also learned that I probably don't want to do anything more than a sprint in the near or distant future.  I have a new found respect for all of you that do Ironman, 70.3, and olympic distance even.  This crap is hard!