Alive Outside Duathlon I - Race Report

My race season 2010 kicked off on Sunday with the first in the Alive Outside duathlon series in the Phoenix Park. With the long cycle to Courtown looming and long term designs on doing the Kenmare half ironman this year I felt that I should try get out on the bike early and often this season. I had enough excuses with the snow and ice over the last few weeks to mainly stick to the pool and running ... but with only 4 weeks to go to Courtown, time for excuses is running out! That being said I didn't exactly spend the day before my first race of the season resting up - went surfing and zorbing (class - try it if you get the chance!) on Saturday followed by a night out at a birthday party in town, though I stuck to the blackcurrant water! Sure it's all cross training - right?

Luckily enough with an 11am start there was time for some sort of a lie in on Sunday - even still, strapping the bikes to the car was not done with a lot of enthusiasm. The only comfort really was that it was 'only' a duathlon - i.e no potential for drowning - and would be over relatively quickly - with a lazy Sunday afternoon as a reward in store! As myself and Grace drove into the Pope's Cross car park - we spotted the 3D ladies about to set off on their spin - all of them wrapped up well with gloves and scarves and loads of layers... I decided straight away for a costume change - this was not a day for singlet and tri shorts so did a quick change in the car into leggings and long-sleeve top (apologies to the couple with the dog in the car beside me if I was over exposed at any stage!). As well as myself and Grace, there were some other 3Ders gearing up for the race - James Dunphy (of 52 races in 2010 fame), Gavin, Eamonn, Val, Kitty ... and some more faces that I recognised too but can't remember names (apologies!).

After a warmup and strides we scrambled to the race briefing, and before we knew it, there was 30 seconds to the gun. The run was a loop of our time trial loop, so I knew it well. Racing on courses you know well is certainly worth something. I was 100% convinced in T2 that my calves would cramp given that I'd done no brick work since last September - so I was already mentally preparing myself for this, and didn't go 100% flat out. Even so I found myself in 3rd position as we ran down th back straight. I was feeling comfortable and trying to figure out whether I was a lot fitter than last year or if the other runners were taking it handy - or maybe it was just early February and freezing. I decided that given my run was strongest, I'd push a bit more and try and tire out the cyclists. I got into T1 in 2nd place and found my bike easily (for once!). The transition area was big and very sparse and well marshalled (a lot different to the summer duathlons!). I grabbed the bike and headed for the exit. I quickly realised that the long exit chute was not along the tarmac track - but along the grass... with my shoes pre-clipped - I was running in freezing soggy soil in my socks - nice. By the time I got on my bike, my feet were soaked and cold.

Onto the bike and I started to wonder how long it would be before I was caught by the cyclists - and how I swore to myself that I'd have to get out on my bike more. The weekly spin to work on my bike must be starting to pay off because I lasted almost a whole lap still in 2nd place. By the end of the 2nd lap I was in 4th place, and Eamonn passed me, encouraging me on. I decided I'd try (in vain) to stick with him on the last lap. I didn't do too badly but he was a good 300m ahead by T2. On the chute on the way back in one of my shoes got unclipped and I stopped to pick it up - but other then that I had a good T2 - on with the runners and out again on the run loop. My feet were frozen and I had no sensation in my toes. Strangely enough I didn't cramp - but did take the first 200m handy enough to get my running legs back in order. I was slowly catching Eamonn and as I turned at the first bend I spot Jim Davies shouting encouragement - it was like he emerged from the trees at the sound of timing chips and race numbers! That was all the motivation I needed as I caught up with Eamonn on the back straight and passed him out. I didn't want to lose 4th place now, so I put the foot down for the last 800m or so to the finish line to finish in 42 mins, with Eamonn slightly behind me. I'm sure we'll be neck and neck for the next in this series too!

The post race snacks were very welcome - recovery bars/drink and cheese toasties! A very professionally run race with plenty of marshalls and tight bike security in the transition, which I suppose is very re-assuring for those who have fancy bikes. Well done to all the 3Ders who took part - and especially to Kitty for winning the ladies race! A bitterly cold day for a race but excellent training. Am looking forward to round 2 in 3 weeks time!