Friday, we drove to Lincoln Parish Park in Ruston, LA for the race weekend. After we set up and after a little rain storm, Tom E. and I slowly rode the trails to kind of get a feel for it. I actually felt really good and strong, but maybe that's because I was going so slow.
On Saturday, the triathletes all started and then about 3 minutes later, the director started the duathletes. We ran about 1.1 miles up
the "bat cave" hill and around to the lake trail and back. Somehow, I started and finished the run first. As I was coming back, I was second overall, behind one of the triathletes. I had a quick transition and headed out on the bike. IMMEDIATELY, I knew my legs were SHOT.
The guy in the blue shirt passed me on the trail, almost immediately. Other triathletes also began to pass. About 2 miles into the bike, I passed the guy in the blue shirt again, but he stayed behind me relatively close.
We came to the "bunny hop" hills about 2.5 miles into the trails and I saw Jana snapping pictures. I didn't realize I got that much air, since I wasn't feeling too strong, but I guess I did :)
I kept pedaling, though not fast. I had no climb left in me, but we did finally come to the Tomac hill. Chris Clemmons said I was about 4th or 5th overall (counting triathletes too), but I don't remember. Then we came to the switchbacks. Right before then, I let a number of triathletes pass me. As we hit the switchbacks, Katrina, Jana, Justin, Diana, Beverly and Chris were there. Chris was yelling at me for encouragement, "HIGH ON THE OUTSIDE, LOW ON THE INSIDE, HIGH ON THE OUTSIDE, LOW IN THE INSIDE!". That actually helped, because I climbed the switchbacks pretty strongly; however, when I hit the road on top, I HAD to recover. Why couldn't Chris just follow me for the rest of the course??!??
I finally finished the bike and then headed out for the 3.5 mile trail run. I ran for the first three miles, but had to walk about 100 yards, because my legs were just DEAD. I was passed by a few people here.
At the finish line, I did not recall being passed by another duathlon participant, which turned out to be accurate, as I received the "1st Overall" medal. While I am happy that I won 1st, I was VERY dissappointed with how my body felt during most of the race. I hope it was due to all of the travel, poor eating and sleep deprivation, but I'm not sure. I have felt drained all this week too.
I'm heading to Tyler State Park in a few minutes to train, so I'll let you know if that goes any better. I have the Spread Your Wings 24-hour Adventure Race coming up in two weeks, so I hope things improve!
