Duathlon Training Race

 

Happy to be starting the first Duathlon event for 3 years! This was Darley Duathlon, which is a short race but using the motor racing circuit. So traffic free and no pot holes 👊😎

As my main goal is a longer Duathlon I deceived to ride the the event, race, then ride back. In total I bagged over 100k cycling and near 10k running with the warm up and 2 event runs. 

I tried to keep the effort level low when riding to the event but the lumpy route made that difficult. With 47k in the legs before I started run 1 I knew that the edge was take off my performance. But that’s ok - eye on the goal. I still manage to equal my run 1 split from 4 years ago. Happy days but I did start off too fast with a 3:35 k. Good news though, isis T feel horrible and running is in a good place. 

Onto the bike and I tried to ease into it but no chance - full gas from the start 😵‍💫. I was testing my bike position tweaks and I think I’m definitely more aero

Again I equalled my bike split from 4 years ago - slightly faster by my reckoning. Enjoyed riding the Canyon 🚴🚴😃

Into T2 and I was holding 3rd in my wave. The numbers competing this year were low but credit to the Crazy Legs team for still holding a great event. 

My overall time was 59:23. Very happy considering I’d bikes to the event. The ride home was tough but picked up as I refuelled. Lesson there for the longer Duathlon. Fuelling strategy will be key. 

May = Race Intensity Prep

I had planned the month of May as a race intensity period to sharpen up for the main focus of the middle distance Duathlon (10k/64k/10k) on 19 June. It’s pretty much going to plan but taking an age to recover from the full gas efforts, especially the Clayton 10k, which wrecked my legs. My brain is now telling me that I’m lacking endurance for the longer Duathlon - can’t get the balance right in my head but I suppose in reality I’ll be ok. 

So the TT was the report last blog for the 25 miler  Happy with sun-60 min. Some pics below. Note I need to tweak position more to close up the frontal scoop effect🙄

Next event was that Clayton 10k. The course has little flat - it’s up or down. The up pushed me into the red and sapped the legs. The down didn’t feel like recovery and pounded the legs.  My result was actually pleasing with a 39:25 clocking and age group win, 15th overall. I’m sure I can go nearer 38:30 on a faster course. It took me a week to feel any where near recovered. Concerning and mentally made me feel like I’ve lost momentum. 

Tomorrow I have the Darley Moor Sprint Duathlon.  Let’s see how receivers I actually am! 

F2A/25 Mile TT - First Competitive Outing for the Speedmax

My last post focused on the upcoming 15 mile TT event in Cambourne. This race was the first competitive outing on the Canyon Speedmax. I can safely say that I am now fully dialed into the bike and position - very happy. It felt great and I’m really loving this bike. 

The weather on the day was reasonable and it was good to be in the road to compete again 🚴😎. 

My hope was to finish under the hour. In theory that should be doable. My PB is 55:26 from 2013. I knew that was unachievable but as it turns out my finish time of 57:48 was mist pleasing. My average power was 247W, which is ok for me currently. Also good, I was able to hold the aero position no problem for an hour. Add to this I ran off the bike for a steady effort 4K AG 4:15 per k quite easily. So looking good for the long Duathlon in June. 

I do need to sort out some aero bar hydration though. I had a frame mounted bottle but didn’t drink once during the TT. This is kind of ok for a pure TT but not when there is a 10k run off the bike. 

I’m looking to get the upgraded xlab torpedo bottle which has improved leak-proofing and a simpler attachment method to the bars. Let’s see how compatible it is with the canyon set up. 

May is race month to tune up for the long Duathlon, with the Clayton 10k on Wednesday. A pure run race then - no idea how I’ll go. Would like to dip under 39 min.