I'm going to start with a duathon

[amylc]

I had planned on doing my first tri this summer but flaked out because I was scared of the open swim in the Gulf of Mexico since I had only been swimming in the pool. I found a "reverse duathon" consisting of 9 mile ride, 6 mile run, 9 mile ride. That sounds like a good place for me to start and I don't have to panic about possibly drowning or getting eaten by a shark. I haven't signed up yet because now I can't find it on active.com but I think it is in October. I am excited just thinking about it.


Here is my question. What is the reason for starting and finishing with cycling and running in between the two? Is it going to make it a whole lot tougher for me being a beginner to keep switching how I am using my muscles....or is it designed to be easier by breaking up the cycling. I guess I am confused on the why or maybe I am thinking too much. The distances are fine for me (my normal run is 3-4 miles, but six won't be a problem for me by then), but so far, I have always run one day and would ride another day. I have until October to train.

Anyway....I am just excited about doing it. I have only done running in events and feel very proud to even be contemplating this. Three years ago, I got winded walking up the stairs!

[KSH]

Hello and welcome!

Before I did a tri, I did a duathlon. I wanted to get a feel for moving from one dicipline to another and for the transitions.

It was a nice way to enter the sport.

Although, I have to say... I am now sworn off du's. I'm such a horrible runner... when I do a du, I start at the back and never really gain any ground from there. At least in tri's, I'm fast in the water... so I come out early and then just get passed on the bike and run. At least I get other racers around me though. I have found that I don't really like racing alone out there.

Enjoy your du! If you are a runner, you will enjoy it.

As far as the bike-run-bike combo. It's odd. Never saw a du like that around here. Although, I would pick that over run-bike-run! I'm sure it's just something the race director selected to do.

Good luck and let us know how it goes!

[eclectic]

Congrats for taking the leap into multisportdom.

I can see where swimming in the gulf could be little nerve wracking. You may want to work up to that one w/ a lot of openwater swims.

If I was going to do a dua that is the type I would like to do as I am a rotten runner (the 6 miles would still be a stretch for me)

Why don't they have a swim - bike - swim dua ever ???? Maybe that is something I could kick butt on Let's organize one KSH

[HillSlugger]

Why don't they have a swim - bike - swim dua ever ???? Maybe that is something I could kick butt on Let's organize one KSH

I think if the swim was last there would be a real chance of tired athletes drowning.

I recently saw a du called "The Splash and Dash", swimming and running.

[shawnada]

I'm doing a du in a week and mine is run,bike,run. I'd rather do the bike,run,bike like you are. I've been doing my du practices every Saturday for the last 5 weeks and they are alot easier cuz my legs are adapted to the transition. When you do yours, the last transition will be to your bike and your legs are fried from your bike, run and then you get to sit on your bike and give those legs a little bit more of a break then the pounding on the pavement. Do your brick workouts and you will be fine.

[Reesha]

I just did my first duathlon tonight... it was a trail duathlon that consisted of 1k run, 10k mtn bike, 5k trail. It ruled! It's also a weekly thing here so I can't wait for next week!

[KSH]

Why don't they have a swim - bike - swim dua ever ???? Maybe that is something I could kick butt on Let's organize one KSH

Now, that's what I'm talking about!