Big Sky Duathlon

Woke up at 4:30am - ugh to drive down to a little town east of Denver called Bennett. This was the location of the 2nd in the Mile High Duathlon series. After passing the airport I wondered if I would either drive off the end of the world or see a girl with red shoes and her little dog too? The town actually reminded me a little bit of northwest Iowa with the small towns and people curious as to what all the fuss is about...

Back to the race... Smaller field than the Barkin' Dog, but still has some crazy fast people. Started off 30 seconds after the elites with all of the men 39 and under. It always sucks sprinting out the first 1/4 mile and then having to dodge through people as they ease off on the gas. Eventually getting some clean road, settled into a nice pace over the 2.5 miles at 14:29.

Rode the tri bike for the first time in a race today. I think I was kind of amped a little high because of that - no more excuses - just ride and go fast! It was a little windy, a few rollers and a great day for a ride. Exited the transition area with two other guys and they were out and gone in a few minutes. Then the steady stream of one person passing every five minutes or so. Gotta get stronger on the bike. Intervals, climbing, anything to push that next higher gear.

The second run was a little more interesting this time because my legs were pretty wiped. Smaller steps for the first mile, trying to pass a guy I named the "pirate". He wasn't wearing a frilly shirt and a patch - just yelling Aarr! back and forth with a little kid before the race. Hit an open stretch and was able to open the stride back up again and catch a few guys that were ahead of me. Decent 2nd leg 15:28 so about a 6:10 pace. The 2nd elite woman finished directly ahead of me and said thanks for pushing her at the end of the race.

I wore a heart rate monitor today and it was at 180bmp for pretty much the entire hour. I think I might explode if I do a longer race! Gotta figure out how to push a higher gear and mellow out a bit. First year of racing - may not have as good of a base as needed...

Tired... Need to take a nap.