John’s race report…
Down & Dirty Duathlon, Lynn Woods, Lynn, MA
October 13, 2007
Fashion Report
Club tri-shorts, complimentary red OP top.
Vintage 1990 Trek Multitrack 720 hybrid bike.
Well worn Adrenaline GTS’s.
Breakfast Report
Toasted wheat bagel and orange juice at home. Dunkin’ Donuts coffee en route.
Result Summary
2.5m trail run: 20:17 (37/59 OA, 5/5 AG)
6m woods bike: 24:55 (9/59, 1/5)
2.5m trail run: 21:02 (26/59, 3/5)
Total: 1:06:12 (15/59, 2/5)
In-race Nutrition
Gatorade in T1 and T2.
Evaluation against previously posted goals:
Goals were to pretty much have fun and not kill myself on the bike. Secretly, I thought I could break 1:10. Done good.
Did some liquid carbo-loading the night before during the Red Sox game but still woke too early for the 9 AM race 25 minutes from home in the nearby Lynn Woods. Cooked myself a bagel and watched the morning news before loading the bike and stopping at DD’s for a coffee.
Arrived early, checked in, and joked with those near me who also had never done this sort of thing before. Took a quick ride on the bike to see how wet things were gonna be after the week of rain. Seems the trails drained pretty well and the few puddles were going to be easily avoidable. Milled about, found one club mate, got my bike stationed, visited the plastic castle, etc.
Most folks were complaining about the cold. It was 37F when I left my house – but probably mid-40’s by race start. I love the cold – this was perfect. People were dressed in tights, gloves, overshirts – I had shorts and a bike top. Perfect weather.
Final instructions and we’re off. I’m chasing my club mate. She’s gaining on the flats and downs but I’m faster on the climbs. After only maybe 1/2m things are pretty sorted out and there’s not much passing after that. I’m running fairly hard but not all out – I figure I need to save something. In retrospect, maybe a little harder would have been appropriate. Heard one woman behind me go down after a trip – many people checked on her and she was OK but it was a reminder that there are obstacles.
My clubby and I come into transition dead even. I’m not changing shoes or anything so it’s swig the Gatorade, strap on the helmet, and go! I beat her out and I’m gone. I’m passing folk on the first climb and this can’t be right. Bottom bearing on my bike is tired and it’s grinding but I’m catching folks on fully suspended tricked out mountain bikes! What’s up? I catch a few more and I’m gaining confidence.
First big down and I’ve got my butt way back and going for broke. My hand comes momentarily off the bar and as I reach back I hit a rock or something that sends the bars quickly up and I mash my thumb into the brake or something. Stabbing pain. Blood. Not stopping. I’m still passing.
I get to the first killer climb and I’m right behind two others. Up the hill there are three or four riders off their bikes walking. I’m determined to make it. About a third of the way up I get the first guy I’m following and he jumps off. I’m stalking guy two in blue. We both get to the top near cardiac arrest and the acceleration is a little slow. Over the next few rollers we’re pretty even but I’ve got my sights set. We get to the second killer climb and again there are walkers. I’m determined to stay with blue and again, we both make it up but we’ve both got nothing at the top. We’re even coming down but then, on what seemed like an easy roller, blue’s done. I get him and he’d be way back at transition so I’m not sure if there were mechanical issues or he just ran out of gas but… I go for broke on the last couple downs and come ripping into T2. By this time, my thumb has spattered blood all over my hand and even down on my leg. I look tough. Helmet off, bike against wall, and gone.
Run2 starts slow. I’m a bit spent and I’m having trouble getting the legs moving – but there aren’t that many folks around me so I just keep plugging. I get passed once near the turn around and once more a bit later – but I passed a few too and probably netted zero. I felt like I ran a quick last mile coming out and was thrilled to see 1:06 on the clock – 4 minutes below goal!
Cheered some folks in, found club mate, had a great breakfast from the buffet and waited for the results. I knew there couldn’t be too many old guys in front of me – there weren’t that many old guys period. Still, it was a thrill to see myself second in age group!!
In summary… I had a blast! My first-ever off-road race and I didn’t hit a tree, I gave it a good effort, and I brought home hardware on a gorgeous fall day. Not bad. The thumb is swollen, smashed, maybe somewhat broken, and a bit throbby – but still attached. I’ll live. And I’d do this again.