Finally getting around to writing my race report for the Hickory Grove Duathlon, yes that's right Duathlon...got an email on Friday stating that the swim portion would in fact be cancelled due to elevated E. Coli levels in the lake, which I suppose was a good thing, but I was really looking forward to the swim portion. Strange how when I started triathlon training over 8 months ago, swimming was the discipline I looked forward to the least and now I really enjoy it and by all accounts have gotten pretty good for a beginner, anyway the format for the day would be 1.1 mile run, 15.5 mile bike and 2 mile run.
I was really excited for this race since it was going to be the first time Deanna and the boys were going to join me and spectate. We stayed over in nearby Ames the night before and we crushed a Pizza Ranch buffet before visiting some friends that lived in the area. I actually slept really well the night before, probably due to the 4:30 am 12 mile run I had done that morning, even though I had a race that day, marathon training still took precedent. I ran with a buddy who had 16 scheduled so he ran to my house and we knocked out 12 before he finished up the last couple of miles on his own. I am starting to get my mindset back into distance training for running again, and really have enjoyed my longer runs on Saturday morning.
I woke up bright and early and got my morning coffee and Honey Stinger Waffle before heading downstairs to warm up on the treadmill. Casey woke up with me (he is an early riser like is dad) and joined me on the treadmill, I did a nice easy 10 minute mile before heading upstairs to shower and get dressed. Deanna was a little stressed getting her and the boys ready, she was worried about making me late but I assured her it was going to be okay. We were staying 15 minutes away from the park and I already had my run warm up in, so I just needed enough time to get my body marks, chip and set up transition and then after that I was in the 4th wave so I had 15 minutes after final instructions to burn off any nervous energy.
Run #1
We toed the starting line, aka a crack in the pavement, I was with the 4th wave, Clydesdales and men 45+ so I figured I would be out front. I started at the front and after the start I had 2 guys in front of me, I passed one of the age groupers and got passed by only one person who happened to also be a clydesdale so I knew where I was sitting going into transition. The run was short and fast which is awkward for me, I didn't know how fast to go out, I probably could have gone faster than the 7:13 I posted but I didn't want to burn my legs out for the ride. Coming back into transition Deanna and the boys were camped out right before the entrance and swerved over to slap high fives and nearly missed the entrance, oh well it was worth it!
Transition #1 went off without a hitch slipped off my shoes threw on my bike shoes and helmet and was off.
Bike
The bike started off pretty good, legs felt shot already from the run but recovered once I got going. I could see the guy who had passed me so I worked on slowly catching up to him. The course went out of the park and then 3 loops around the park before coming back into the park again. No major hills but definitely a rolling course, it was hard to get into a good groove and after the first 2 loops my legs were feeling the 12 miles I ran the day before. The upside to the 3 loop course was there was always people on the course and you were never riding alone. The down side was if someone passed you, you had no idea what loop they were on and this end up coming back to bite me later as I learned. The other negative about the bike was I got steamrolled by 3 or 4 guys just cruising right along in a draft line, at that point it was a flat section and I was doing 25-26 mph and they passed be like I was standing still. This really irritated me as drafting is illegal, the course was supposedly patrolled by a referee and I don't know if they got busted with a time penalty or not but these guys were obviously veterans at triathlons evidenced by their bike and gear and they should have known better.
Transition #2 as I came into transition Deanna and the boys were set up right next to my bike rack and cheering me on. It was so awesome having them there and cheering.
Run #2
This run was primarily on trails and grass which was great, although I wished I had known that prior and I would have worn a different pair of shoes. My Kinvara's are great to run in but on wet grass I slip and it started sprinkling just as I entered transition to drop off my bike. Shortly after the run started the returning runners turn right in front of the outgoing runners to head to the finish line and I did not hear the race volunteer warning me to stay to the left and I ran smack into a guy running in. Trust me he took the worst of it as I probably out weighed him by 50+ pounds, but neither of us left are feet, I apologized and he just ran on to finish, I really hope I didn't cost him valuable seconds in a close finish. The rest of the run was uneventful and went by without any other incidents, I passed a couple of people and the Clydesdale I passed on the bike was no where to be seen so I thought I had my division wrapped up as I crossed the finish line with Casey and Caden standing right there cheering me on, which was AWESOME! I finished in 1:07:50
When I checked the standings later on I was listed as first in the Clydesdale division, but during the awards ceremony I was announced as second, I was confused and wanted to ask why but I wasn't super concerned so decided not to bring it up. Besides the rain was making a return and they were hustling to get everything torn down. On the ride home I decided to email the race director for clarification and he emailed me back later to explain the guy who took first signed up that morning so he wasn't in the system for the results and had to be manually entered. I was happy with that answer, it really doesn't matter if I finish first or second or last I just love the competition.
Thanks for reading...
Until next time...Do today what others won't, so tomorrow you can do what others can't.
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