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. 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?
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. 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?