Event: Big Fish Lake Triathlon/Duathlon (5KR/20KB/5KR)

Location: Big Fish Lake State Park, Hadley, MI

Fashion: Sugoi Tri Shorts, Asics top, Brooks Addiction 8 & Shimano shoes

Equipment: Cannondale Synapse Carbon 5 bike

(Sorry, but I have no idea why the editor won't take my paragraph breaks!)

I was a bit nervous about this event since I had been urged into it by people that I occasionally train with, many of whom are experienced Boston, Ironman, and regular triathlon veterans. I had never done anything like this – especially the biking part – so decided to just approach it as a “fun” activity, hoping only for better than last place.

When I arrived, I could see a big difference between these events and the road races we’re all used to: almost everyone was a serious competitor. No “fun runners” here! There was also a lot to learn about preparation. After all, in a road race all you need to do is attach your bib and chip and find the starting line. Here there was all the prepping of the transition area and having to scout out the various entrances and exits to get on and off the running and biking courses.

I watched the first wave of swimmers start off, then walked over to the starting line for the duathlon, scheduled for a slightly later start. I was surprised to see CassadAAmius himself greeting me from the sidelines. My Internet had been down since Friday night, so I wasn’t aware that he was going to be there to do a time trial on the biking course.

The first 5K went pretty well, as much of it was on a shady dirt road. I didn’t want to run it like I would a 5K event, since that would definitely burn me out, so tried to go at more like a 10K pace or slower. Right away, though, the heat was noticeable and I was glad I was carrying my own water bottle. After all, the sun is never as direct as it is at the solstice.

I took my time in the transition area and found that the first mile or so on the bike was very refreshing as it wicked away all the sweat from the run. The course is an out and back on an asphalt county two-laner, with a noticeable downgrade much of the way to the turnaround – meaning uphill on the way back. The road wasn’t closed to traffic, but the county sheriffs were on duty at intersections and there were few cars that passed.

I had never done an actual “race” on a bike and was unsure whether to really burn it on the easy section or to save something for the hills at the end. By the time I got to the turnaround and headed the other way, I realized I had lost a lot of steam. The final couple of hills were brutal and I was just about down to my granny gear to crest them, but at least the last mile into the park is a nice gentle downgrade that let my legs recover a bit before the next transition.

(I need to work on tanning my arms in advance next time!)

Now I know why they call a bike and run workout a “brick” – that’s exactly what my legs felt like as I tried to run my bike through the transition area. By necessity I took a while to change back into my running shoes, then plodded back onto the course. By this time it had warmed up a bunch and the sun had risen to the point where a lot of the shade was gone. I really struggled on this one and did a little walking on the upgrades. But finally I got to the finish line with a <st1:time>1:51:13</st1:time> result (including transitions). Dave was there and we got this photo on his iPhone:

My final result was 2^nd in my AG, but I’m afraid there were only two of us. The winner is sponsored by a local bike shop, and in fact my total running time was better than his; he beat me strictly on the bicycling. I was also 35 of 45 of men overall, so finished ahead of a number of youngsters. A bunch of the other people that I knew there came away with similar awards, including the overall women’s Olympic-distance tri title. Here’s a good shot of most of us, who range in age from 45 to 67 (I'm 3rd from right in the back row):

So will I ever do another? As of Saturday I was saying this would be a one-and-done, but now I’m not so sure. I can at least put this on my schedule again since I’m familiar with the course and can do a better job with my strategy next time. Any of you cyclists out there who haven’t tried this yet – it’s not as complicated as it looks and you really should give it a go! 

No one and done Roch......Ya gotta do another !

We have a great little Duathlon here in the fall......two actually. One is a 2 / 17/ 2 the other is a 5k / 40k.....both very well organized but also very light hearted......"just for fun" kinda events.

Anyway........Nice report.  5 / 20 / 5.......That can be a tough one to manage but sounds like you did great !

Nice Job Doug,

 I see this race advertised every year and have always thought it would be a great way to try a tri  or Duathlon. I just can't find the time to train on another disipline maybe after I retire like you.

 Sounds like you had lots of fun.

Larry

Hi Doug,

Great job on your first "du!" Congratulations on not only surviving the 'brick,' but on leaving some youngsters in your dust!

Jay

Well done and very impressive. 

The tan lines are the mark of a dedicated athlete and kinda cute too!

Bravo and Encore!

(Thanks for the report and great photos too!)