Last chance saloon - Calfman Duathlon

 After the previous weeks effort at Oulton Park, I had done some man maths, and was reasonably sure that although I hadn't finished in a qualifying place, I was near and about 103-104%, which in a normal year, could see me with a roll down, however, with 2021 event not moving forward and participants deferred, that would make it tricky and I would need to finish top 4 to have a chance. 

The Cowman event has four options , catering for everything from sprint distance to long distance. I was entered into the Calfman qualifier, 10k run around Emberton Country Park, 40k on the bike out on open road, and then another 5k lap of the park to finish. I can say that even they were slightly long, I have the 1st run at 6.37 miles and 2nd at 3.20. The event was easy to find after a night in a travelodge on the M1, and conditions for the day reasonable for the time of year. Racked early, last minute pee, and then off to the start....

Run 1 = 47.42

The run was a mix of terrains which I liked. I wasn't sure which type of shoe to wear so hedged my bets, starting in my usual Brooks but having some light trail shoes available for the second run. After an initial run on tarmac path, there was a grassy off road section and then back on tarmac which felt a bit slippy underfoot. Some more grass and then some field paths with some climbs and then a nice long descent back into the park. Lap one dispatched , and second one put away in a disciplined manner. In good form at the end of the first run and on to the bike. 

Bike 1.05.58 

After 51 secs in transition, I was making my way out of the park, slowly as it's not race friendly. A two footed stop and then out onto the main road - now we're cooking. Not at all like Oulton Park, just plenty of undulating A roads , a couple of stingers, but nothing my single ring 60T set up couldn't handle.  I aimed for 230-240 watts and mostly could keep that. My position was more disciplined this week, only sitting up on the climbs or when I was in traffic at the end of lap one. I counted the people I passed on the second lap, and then set myself the target of not being overtaken by that number on the second run. Back into transition via on my god what was that - hop up onto a path and avoid the man with the Alsatian !! 

Run 23.56

41 seconds this time and back out for one more lap. I opted for the light trail shoes this time and that bode well. Nice and grippy, they were perfect.  I had a good first mile, and then really started to grind on the climb straight after the caravans. Runners started to pass me, and I had that feeling of deja vu, but after a brief flurry there were no more. I stuck with it and was thankful to reach the top of the final climb and really enjoyed that final descent for the last time. Over the line in 2.19.08 which was 4th in 45-49, but would be worth 5th in 50-54. My luck was in as the first two weren't in the pot for qualification so by my reckoning, I should get the third qualifying berth so we will need to wait and see.

Whatever happens, I am really enjoying the Duathlons and will be working hard over winter to have a better year next year. 

European Qualifier Duathlons - Oulton Park Standard

 This was it ! A week apart in October - two chances to qualify at Standard Distance for the European Championships to be held in Bilbao ,Spain in June of next year. 

My best opportunity I felt beforehand was the Oulton Park event, where a shorter run each time and standard bike on super smooth tarmac would suit me better on paper. The Cowman was a complete unknown, with a mix of terrains, and the bike course on open roads would make it a lottery. Time would tell.. 

3rd October - Oulton Park Duathlon

Bugger ! It was also National Champs which meant that it had double prestige and everyone looked so bloomin quick as they were warming up in the car park. It had been cloudy and there had been some rain, so me and Scrappy spent most of the warm up keeping dry. Eventually we had to move and get ourselves sorted - not a bad event to get to, and the logistics worked well on the day.

Run 38.15 (8.6k)

We lined up across the start line on the race circuit and we had the width of the circuit to use as we set off. Very quickly despite a quick first mile I could see the leaders stretching off into the distance.  I set myself a strong pace but was slow up both short climbs on the course as knee pain kicked in. 6.39/7.17/7.00/7.13/7.33 for a 7.07 mile average - and in good nick for the bike after a 1.24 transition.

Bike 1.02.09 

Bike leg stacked up well on the day. With Scrappy no
t too far behind , and Andy Mosley from the Wheelers a lap ahead, this made me honest. Everyone was fast, and it was an effort to concentrate on position as it was also windy. I had a head to head with Andy for multiple laps, and had no problem counting the laps which got to 9 in total. The only difference on each lap was how disciplined I was on the climbs and on some occasions - not very. 

Run (4.3k) 18.43

After a 1.17 transition I was out again on the track and really feeling this single last lap. It seemed to go on forever, and this time I was really slow up the climbs. Losing places I took earlier in the lap. In fact, little did I know, but I lost qualification places in the last mile or so - there was just nothing I could do about it !  Overall, a little slower than the first effort, but on the rivet halfway round that last lap. 71st on the day, and 14th in 45-49, but, in the 50-54 age group, 7th, last qualifying place agonisingly close at 44 seconds - aarrgh!