The Duathlon Nationals were this weekend in Richmond, VA. The event is considered "short course", but consisted of a double loop 10K run , a 40K bike
and then the final 5K loop. I have struggled with big race focus and taper because it is such an inflexible process and you have one day to be on your game.
For the Nationals, I thought I had finally done everything right from the build to the taper. My training had gone very well and trial races confirmed I was
ready so all I had to do was get to the race and perform. I even had a chance to get out on the course 2 weeks prior to the race since I was working in VA. The
run was perfect for me; a 5K rolling loop with much of it run on dirt roads and paths around an island. The bike was very hilly and technical and I thought
that the pre-ride gave me an advantage over those who had not seen the course.
I wished for cool and misty weather and after a couple scorching 80 plus days in Richmond, the day of the race dawned cool and misty with a strong north wind. It was perfect weather and I had set an acceptable goal of 2:30:00 with a stretch goal around 2:25:00. Based on my early season results and my basic fitness level I was very confident I could do these times which I felt would allow me to finish in the top 7 age class.
Unfortunately, things don't always go as planned. I had a little bit of a tickle in my throat on the drive to VA on Thursday. By Friday, it had become a dizzy weak flu feeling and I stayed in bed for most of Fri and Sat. I felt okay but very congested on the morning of the race and that's not good when you have a long endurance event and no reserves. After my 10K I knew it was not my day, but I hoped that maybe others would slow in the rain enough to let me squeeze in. I left everything I had on the course, but it wasn't enough as I ended up more than 8 minutes slower than my conservative goal. I did enjoy the experience and met some great folks from around the country. The course was challenging and the venue was well organized. I saw a few others with CT roots as listed in the results below. In my age group, 2:28:50 was 7th place and the roll down to make the US team was to 2:31:10 (10th). 183/14 was not my plan, but pretty good for running on half a lung.
I wished for cool and misty weather and after a couple scorching 80 plus days in Richmond, the day of the race dawned cool and misty with a strong north wind. It was perfect weather and I had set an acceptable goal of 2:30:00 with a stretch goal around 2:25:00. Based on my early season results and my basic fitness level I was very confident I could do these times which I felt would allow me to finish in the top 7 age class.
Unfortunately, things don't always go as planned. I had a little bit of a tickle in my throat on the drive to VA on Thursday. By Friday, it had become a dizzy weak flu feeling and I stayed in bed for most of Fri and Sat. I felt okay but very congested on the morning of the race and that's not good when you have a long endurance event and no reserves. After my 10K I knew it was not my day, but I hoped that maybe others would slow in the rain enough to let me squeeze in. I left everything I had on the course, but it wasn't enough as I ended up more than 8 minutes slower than my conservative goal. I did enjoy the experience and met some great folks from around the country. The course was challenging and the venue was well organized. I saw a few others with CT roots as listed in the results below. In my age group, 2:28:50 was 7th place and the roll down to make the US team was to 2:31:10 (10th). 183/14 was not my plan, but pretty good for running on half a lung.
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Plc Age Grp Plc Run 1 Pace T1 Plc Bike MPH T2 Plc Run 2 Pace Total
- 50 4/28 Mike Kerin 50 M 79 41:53 6:45 0:43 46 1:11:59 20.7 0:42 55 21:35 6:57 2:16:48
- 160 21/28 Craig Brumwell 51 M 155 45:24 7:19 0:45 174 1:22:38 18.0 1:04 155 24:40 7:57 2:34:28
- 164 12/24 Robert Enright 58 M 195 48:06 7:45 1:11 154 1:19:43 18.7 1:13 154 24:34 7:55 2:34:45
- 183 14/24 Dean Bolt 55 M 193 47:58 7:44 1:11 176 1:22:48 18.0 1:06 176 25:13 8:07 2:38:14
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216 7/11 Eva Van Stratum 49 F 257 53:14 8:34 1:00 213 1:26:04 17.3 0:58 224 27:32 8:52 2:48:46
