Some Duathlons !

This weeks event was the St Neots Standard Distance Duathlon. We stayed over camoing near Huntingdon and got to the venue on a sunny day really early. Signing on was stress free, and as it was a European Qualifier, the park was busy with serious looking Duathletes quite quickly.  The runs would be 4 x 2.5km loop within the park and mostly good surface, and the bike would be an extended out and back to Ellington (27 miles in total). 

As I wasn't in the hunt for qualification, the pressure was off and I was able to concentrate on my own thing. That being said, I raced this hard and left it all out there...

Run 1 - 43.50 (6.32 miles)

Started midway back, and as first little loop was on grass just to sort us out, I was steady with it, still fast, but steady. One onto the paths, it was a nice run around the park, some tight turns but a really good course and the multiple laps suited me. 6.55 average pace, OK with that.

Bike 1.12.35  (27 miles)

Out on the Trinity, slight headwind up to Ellington, a couple of drags and a couple of short sharp climbs where the 60 really ground out. Probably 240 watts to the turn and 215-220 back, did take my foot off again ! 

Run 2 -21.35  (2.98 miles) - nice and hot now, and legs burned from the leg shockers. Couldn't match earlier pace , held something within 20 seconds though. Finished 31st @ 2.19 - good result for me in a stacked field.

Castle Howard Middle Duathlon 

This one was a camping overnight affair going solo. Good night sleep despite an airbed that lost air, and all ready to go for the early start.

Run 1 - 48.33 - (6.23 miles) - Wow, the run here was tough, plenty of grass, climb, insane downhill, off road, pretty much anything an estate could throw at a person. Alpha Dizzles performed well - decision made to take them to Switzerland. 

Bike - 2.56.57 - 56 miles - again, it's North Yorkshire what did I expect, good first lap, caught the people I knew, eased off again second lap (this is becoming a habit), as knew I would need to run ! 

Run 2 - 55.05 - (6.23 miles).

Ouch - second run not as fresh as the first, and within a mile or so, summat new - I completely cramped up a climb, and had to walk it off - lost two minutes, otherwise , a slow and agonising fall back through the field.  12th overall, really good test, and an honest Duathlon !