It wasn't pretty but I did it

[Crash]

Hi all,
Did my first Duathlon yesterday. It was cold and windy so not very smooth transitions with clothes coming off and on. I started out last on the run and managed to maintain my position for about half the 5k. Nothing like feeling you're holding up the sweep wagon. I managed to pass one runner. Ahhh the bike portion. I made up great time on the bike passing about 10 cyclists and no one caught me. But that was short lived because I had to finish with a run. Of course I couldn't find where my stuff was in the transition then I headed out with my helmet on luckly some guys pointed it out too me. I almost resumed my position of last place as the those cyclist I passed were now in their glory on the run and passing me like I was walking (well, I was walking).
What did I learn... sign up for another one!!!!!

[skibum]

Hey, it doesn't matter where you finished... the big thing is that you finished!! The fact that you got out there and did it is an amazing accomplishment. I'm glad you still want to do another one. It's all about getting out and having some fun and getting some exercise in while you're at it.

[CorsairMac]

WTG Crash - you did it!......who cares where you placed or what went wrong (cept to change it next time!). The point is you didn't give up or give in and you finished it! You ROCKKKKKKK

I'm thinking the She-Ra Tiara needs to go to Crash next!!!

[ccnyc]

Congratulations!
I did the same thing about 20 years ago (YIKES!) and had a similar experience... ran poorly, rode well and FINISHED! The sense of accomplishment and achievement was wonderful.
You should feel very proud of yourself.

Carol

[Jones]

congratulations-
The first time is always the hardest. About getting lost in transition, I mark my spot with a very bright towell. I have seen people use a balloon tied unto the bike rack above thier bike to mark their spot, also colored chalk with your name and an arrow at your rack is always good. The next one should be all fun cause the first time jitters are gone.

Jones

[trigurl]

HURRAY, you did it!!! wasn't it fun? I just did my second one last month and can't wait for another!

They get easier just keep doing them. Maybe practice running some after you bike, I have been doing that and found it helps. CONGRATS.

[Crash]

Thanks for the cheering everyone
Jones, those are some good ideas for marking my place in the transition. I will use one of them for my next Du. OMG did I really say that? I will start working on more specific training once the 5/3 Riverbank Run is over in a couple of weeks. I did notice how much stronger my legs were when I went out to try some speedwork today during my run. "What doesn't kill you...
Yes, it was rather fun, looking back.

[KSH]

Hee-hee... but did you have FUN???

My first duathlon was in April of this year (2005)... and I wasn't so great... I have quite a few 50+ years olds kicking my butt!

I also came in #100... out of #110. Classic comment: My Dad saw the pictures and asked, "Whers is everyone else, you seem to be alone in all the pictures".

Yea... well... when you are 100 out of 110... you are ALONE! HA!

As far as transitions... My time was an average of 2 minutes... everyone else was 1 minute. DUH!

But, I had fun... and that's all that matters... and it gave me a reason to get my legs in GREAT shape!

[CorsairMac]

Classic comment: My Dad saw the pictures and asked, "Whers is everyone else, you seem to be alone in all the pictures".

Did you tell your dad everyone else was trying to catch up with you??...he doesn't need to know How many everyone elses' there were??

[KSH]

Did you tell your dad everyone else was trying to catch up with you??...he doesn't need to know How many everyone elses' there were??

Eh... I told him the truth... it's all good though... cause I had fun doing it! HA!