Duathlon Race Report - So Excited!!!!!!!!!

[shawnada]

Well my race is finally over and I am pleased to say it wasn't as scary as I thought. I will keep it short and sweet. I arrived at the race an hour and 20 minutes early (always early to everything) and DH helped with keeping kids under control as we were on vacation in another state for race and vacation. I have never raced before in endurance event, as I am ex-bodybuilder and this is a new world for me. I set my bike up in transition area and laid out all my stuff. I walked around and found out where my race started and the in and outs of the transition areas. DH made a point to say not to worry because there would always be somebody in front of me and to follow and then pass them. Went to the prerace meeting and stood in line for the start. Off we went and let me tell you these ladies went. After the first mile I told myself to back off and find my pace or I'd never make it. These ladies could run. Made it through the first run(3.1mi) in 26:53 an 8:38 min. mile and I placed last in age group at this pace and 32nd overall out of 52. BIKE: I have found I am a strong biker probably do to all the years of leg training for BBing. I had a blast on the bike portion. All the women that passed me in the run I passed on the bike. Weather in Portland was wet and gloomy. I did my 12 mile bike in 38:29, 19 MPH and placed 10th. RUN: Well what can I say other than I suck at running. last run was bad. My pace was 9:57 and again in my age group I was last. HOWEVER: OVERALL: I took third in my age group 3/7 (received a trophy and medal) and out of 52 women I placed 15th. By the way, my age is 42. My total time was 1:40:29. On one last note, my husband made a comment to me after the race that I was one of two ladies that actually looked fit. I was humbled throughout this race because women at the start of the run looked at me and said, well I'll be behind you. Based only on the way I looked. (ex-bodybuilder). I got my behind handed to me by women who were older and heavier, by as much as 30 plus lbs.. These women rocked! I was in awe of the women I saw and met at this race that in all honesty did not look like they could do let alone finish a race. It just goes to prove that fitness comes in all shaped and sizes. I am so inspired by all who take on this endeavor because it was hard and inspiring altogether.

[LBTC]

Congratulations, Shawnada! Those are some fantastic results! You rock!

And nice reminder to all of us: "fitness comes in all shapes and sizes" Well said.

Hugs and butterflies,
~T~

[nomummytummy]

Great result! I am avoiding doing a duathlon or triathlon primarily b/c of the run. You run better than i do!

[twiggjlm]

That is amazing!! I can't wait to do my first dualthon next year! How long did you train for yours?

[shawnada]

I started really training for it about 2 to 3 months out. What really helped me the most was 6 weeks out from the race on Saturday mornings I went and did my race mileage. So come race day it was just another workout on Saturday and my legs and body were acclimated to the transitions. Sundays were my long bike rides with a short run after and somewhere during the week I threw in another brick workout. Run, bike, run, bike, run, bike and run. The more you get your legs use to the transitions the better off you are.

[Starfish]

I started really training for it about 2 to 3 months out. What really helped me the most was 6 weeks out from the race on Saturday mornings I went and did my race mileage. So come race day it was just another workout on Saturday and my legs and body were acclimated to the transitions. Sundays were my long bike rides with a short run after and somewhere during the week I threw in another brick workout. Run, bike, run, bike, run, bike and run. The more you get your legs use to the transitions the better off you are.

I find this very inspiring and intimidating. Really great, and thanks for reporting!

[northstar]

Congratulations Shawnada!

I am totally impressed! Are you going to do another du?

[Tri Girl]

Nice job out there Shawnada!!! Congrats on a great race! Glad to hear that all went well and that you got to take home some hardware- always a nice surprise.
Yes, I'm surprised at the people who beat me in races, and I might surprise some myself. I guess the old addage- you can't judge a book by it's cover- really DOES make a world of sense.

[wiseowl]

Those are truly awesome times! Congrats! I heard once that most duathlon folk are runners first, so maybe you discovered the secret. Your running times are well more than respectable, but I love that you blew by them on the bike! I am really thinking of a duathlon for next year- thanks for the report.