Finished My First Duathlon

[adt216]

I just finished my first duathlon (2M run/12M bike/3.1M run). It was great. I did it on my 1996 Gary Fisher mountain bike. Since I plan to do more I would like to upgrade my bike, which I plan to do in the next week.

Are than any Biathletes out there who have some general tips about training? More bike training than running, vice versa, equal? etc.?

Thanks
Ann

[Trek1500]

I did my first duathlon last month and absolutely loved it! I've signed up for another in October and may do one next month, too. A friend of mine did it on a mountain bike and while she did quite well, she worked much harder than those of us on road bikes. So yes, definitely consider a different bike.

I'm a long-time runner and devoted most of my training to running, although I'm slowly changing that to incorporate more cycling. I'd say to balance both, but others who have more experience may be better able to answer that question. Do try to do some bricks in your training to get used to the bike/run transition.

Good luck.

[mtbdarby]

Trek - what is a brick? My PT mentioned it the other day and I get that its a run/bike workout but can you explain it better? Thanks,

[Lise]

Welcome, adt and trek1500! Congrats on your first duathlon. Please come check out the Triathlon board on the TE site, too. That would be a good place to post training questions.

I did my first 6 triathlons on my Marin Larkspur hybrid. I wanted to be sure I was really going to keep going with this thing before I upgraded the bike. I can't believe how much lighter and faster my new bike is. It's a Bianchi Veloche, and when the rider's in good shape, the bike goes like the wind!

[Bikingmomof3]

Congratulations!

[Trek1500]

Thanks for the welcome.

mtbdarby, I believe a brick is so named because your legs feel like bricks after you get off the bike to run. My duathlon had 1.5 mile run, a 17 mile bike, followed by a 5K. So, in training, I'd ride 20-25 miles and then jump off the bike, change shoes and run 2 miles or so, just to get my legs accustomed to the transition. Everything I've read indicates that bricks should only be done once a week or so. I did them every other week.

[chickwhorips]

congrats on the duathlon.

welcome both adt and trek1500.

[adt216]

My duathlon was 2M run/12M bike/3M run. I have to say that I agree that using a mountain bikes really takes alot out of your legs for the last run. I will definitely look at the triathlon thread for some advice. The ladies in my race that did the triathlon (it was a tri/bi race) looked in such amazing shape. Since I had never done a race before I did it mainly to see if I could and what my own times would be, but now I am addicted; hence the new bike. I am still deciding what to buy.

My times were 17 minutes for the first run, 47 minutes for the bike and 29 minutes for the last run. I got beat by a 50-59 year old woman (I hope I can beat a 34 year old when I am that age!! There were so many older women there that it was inspiring.) But there were women and guys with amazing times. Some cycled the 12 miles in 30-35 minutes averaging about 23 mph. And others ran 5 minute miles. So there are some great athletes out there.

As for the training, I have to give much respect to the runners - I HATE RUNNING!! But I love the bike part, so I have to force myself to run.

For those interested in finding races in their area, try active.com. The site has loads of different activities from duathlon, triathlons, even cycling races and tours.

Ann