first duathlon

Tristan

Barefooters
Sep 15, 2011
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Ohio
I've been toying with the idea for a couple years, of course I had to get a decent bike first. Well some may race with an old mountain bike, but if the people whizzing by me on the paved rail trail was any indication then I couldn't expect much with 2" wide knobby tires. Anyhow last year I got my first road bike, liked it enough that I got a couple more this year. They are all old '88 Schwinns so not much of an investment. And 1 I can try to setup more for racing. Just about got it dialed in but my recent addition of aerobars changed the fit and now I am looking for a new forward seatpost and seat and refitting.

I've been looking out for local-ish duathlons for a year. Earlier this year I found one up in Ohio's 'Amish Country' and that was more appealing to me than going into the big city. It seems to be a smaller and family oriented event, about 35 on the results sheet from last year as I recall. Sounds a little less stressful than a big city race. However they hadn't any rules or anything on their website so I politely asked the contact via email about competing barefoot. They explained they had never been asked that so they had to double check for me. And they just got back to me and said it was fine. However the second run happens to be on gravel/crushed limestone trail. This is not good! I saw the nearby rail trail, but was unaware that stretch had not been paved. So I guess before I commit I got to drive up there and check it out... maybe this weekend. I was getting really stoked but now I'm kind of bummed. :sorry: Guess I'll just have to wait and see. Maybe this weekend I'll get a chance to check it out. Otherwise I'll be on the hunt again. On shift my weekends are scarce so slim chance many others are going to line up well.

I did simulate sprint distance duathlon in training last week and thought it went well. The first run was around 7m/m and the second around 7:30, and I'm sure I can push harder. Biking I seem to be a bit weaker at, my phone app cut out on the bike but usually I'm averaging only around 16-18mph for a round trip. Looking at the race results from previous years the top third seem to be hitting over 20mph. I can do that for a couple miles but that's about it. Then again I have never raced or pushed real hard. Guess I got to just keep getting miles in on the bike. I do have more the legs of a skinny endurance runner much more so than big muscular legs!

Anyone else looking to do their first? Or any experienced du/tri racers out there give any advice?
 
You could always sign up for an off-road duathlon then you could keep the bike? I think 16-18mph is pretty good for an average actually. Well 18 is better obviously.
I've only done one before and it was a kick in the balls, so I have no advice for you.
 
I haven't rode off road but like twice in the last 5 or 10 years, and I wouldn't be able to practice around here. I much prefer my road bikes, though I lack experience in either really at least I'm gaining it on the road bike doing a few rides a week lately. Even though its old, my road bike is still pretty nice whereas my mountain bike is entry level. I'm not aware of any off road duathlons around here either, and I would then have the issue of the run (assuming its off road as well).

I did some checking around and there is another couple duathlons in the area this summer, one is during my break where I plan on being out of state, the other is next weekend. I don't think I'm ready yet, heck I'm still setting up my bike. But maybe I can show up as a spectator to see what happens and such, not sure if the transition areas are visible to spectators and things like that. I guess being a du and being barefoot there isn't much to the transition so I'm probably overthinking things. Kind of like my first 5k I was so nervous about but now I can't even remember why. Speaking of setting up my bike, just got the new seatpost that allowed a slight forward position and made some quick adjustments to get it in the ballpark and a 10 mile ride mostly using the aerobars to get a feel. Feels much better now but still some tweaking to do. And got a new saddle coming in the mail too. I like the vintage Rolls saddle but in the aero position the nose is a little too hard against my sensitive parts :confused: even when its tipped down a bit. So going to try another. The new seat and post will be a weight savings as well, the tires I put on it are lighter too, though the aerobars still a net weight gain. I don't think until I get a lot faster than a pound or two is going to make much difference though!

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