London Duathlon Race Report

This past Sunday, we ventured down to that there London to take part in my first standard distance Duathlon which took place entirely within the grounds of Richmond Park. Travelling down the night before, we stayed in a Premier Inn in Richmond which was just a couple of miles from the race HQ, and to ensure a swift get away after the event, booked parking in Sheen Gate Car Park on the north side of the park.  Racking is easy for a Duathlon, being just a dump of race shoes and helmet, and much easier than that of a Triathlon.  Arriving in transition just 30 minutes before start time, that was plenty enough time to rack up, visit for a pee and do some pre race exercises, albeit warm up running was a little limited. 

Run 1 (6.23 miles) 46.14 

The great unknown and very daunting. Yes , I'd run so many 10k's in my life, but how would I fare as a first run. I had to clear my mind of thinking about what was to follow and almost treat it as a standalone run with a brick on the end and that seemed to work. I had fantasies of pacing between 7.00 and 7.15 minute miles pre race, but as the first 3.5k's are a gradual climb, looking at my watch went out of the window and I paced it with a perceived effort of around my lactate threshold, figuring that I did not want to be getting on the bike with lactate filled legs. It paid off, as the first miles went by at 7.25 & 7.58. Once over the top, the third mile was quick at 6.59, and then it was comfortable holding 7.25-7.30ish for the remainder. I did notice just how hot it was getting though, it seemed that today was the start of a short September heatwave. Happy with a 46 minute 10k given the course.

Bike - 26.8 miles - 1:14:00

Obviously my favourite part, I was a bit dubious about the ride from the youtube clips that I'd been stalking prior to the event, my main concern being the pure amount of bodies that might be on the course and in particular through the narrower sections.  At first, all was fine, after a 1.11 T1, I joined the fun and initially tried to hold 240-250 watts which I largely achieved. There is one kicker of a climb which was a total grind in a single ring 60T, but that comes in handy over the top. The lap has four tight right hand turns and a slower false flat climb to negotiate. Laps 1 & 2 were OK, shouting constantly 'on your right' but making progress, but the third lap coming past transition there were just too many riders on the course and the hold ups started to happen, just a few seconds here and there, but it all adds up. By the end of the bike I was happy to be off it, and it was now very warm !  1.14 was a reasonable return on the day.

Run 2 - 3.01 miles - 22.29

Off the bike then, longer T2 due to having further ground to cover than in T1, I put on the racing flats and headed out determined to carry the same pace as the first run but unsure of if I could. First mile is that same gradual climb and then turns off left up another climb, then its better all the way to the finish. My heart rate suggested otherwise, but I was OK and never in trouble - second run going much better than anticipated coming in at 7.52/7.10 & 7.21 - job done 2.25.37 overall and 58th out of 1196.  This old boy will take that as a first outing !