Hi Everyone!
Well, I have finally raced for the first time since Geelong early
March!
Last weekend was the 2nd race of the local ACT duathlon series
with a format of 6/32/3. Happy to say I won the female race, and all seems to
be going well in my preparations for Worlds :-) (at least i hope so!) Here's a
quick run down of the event.
As expected, a chilly winter Canberra morning greeted us with 0
degrees and fog! Certainly not pleasant racing conditions!! Arm warmers, leg
warmers, ear covers, gloves and all were an absolute must! (I would have like
booties too, but bike shoes clipped onto the bike made that somewhat
impossible!) The first 6k run was 2 laps (out/back twice). I started off the
first lap quite conservatively (mainly due to the fact that I wasn't really
warmed up!) but then found a nice rhythm and pace for the 2nd lap. Out on the
bike for 2 laps of 16ks through the lovely (not!) undulating Lady Denman Drive.
Felt reasonable good, but certainly a bit rusty due to fatigue from previous
training (there was no tapering for this event!) and lack of race practise. had
some pretty ugly spots! (particularly going up the hills!). the first lap was
rather ordinary as i tried to find my cycling legs, but the 2nd lap felt much
better as I tried to push the pace. (mental note - next time don't wear leg
warmers that slip and fall down! spent a good part of the ride trying to
re-dress myself after my leg warmers started to slide down my legs during the
first run!) I was passed by one girl on the bike (Judith May - a guru time
trialist and bike rider!) but i kept her in sight after she passed me. amazing
what happens when you have a target ahead! :-) The final 3k run was pretty much
an all out sprint. (i had my leg warmers sorted out by now!). it only took me
500m to pass Jude, and I felt great running off the bike! total time of 1hr
30:41min. (a rough idea of splits - 23min/56min/11min).
Time is ticking by too fast! I fly out to Germany in exactly 1
months time! I can't wait!!
Well done to the other Tridents who braved the cold and raced :)
and even more so to those who stood there volunteering in the cold!
Thanks a bunch!
Shell :-)