Race Result: 2013 Falls Duathlon

Event: Falls Duathlon
Date: Saturday, April 27, 2013
Location: Hannah's Bend Park, Cannon Falls MN
Hotel: Home, sweet home
Weather: 55F, light winds at 4-6 MPH from S, sunny
Official Results: Overall Results
Previous Results: First time at this event

Personal Results

Goal: under 1 hr 15 mins
Actual: 01:13.13
Overall: 25th (185 total); 2nd in 50-54 AG (14 total)

Garmin

Garmin Summary Link

Elevation & HR Summary

Go Pro Video

Falls Du from Brian Maas on Vimeo.


Pre-Cap

It has been a very long winter, and it seemed spring would never come. But the tides changed Friday when it reached 66F in the Twin Cities. I took the bike outside for the 1st time this year. So to say I was not really ready for the bike portion of a duathlon is a big understatement.

My run mileage is still very low. I still have some very slight issues resulting from the tibial stress fracture that effectively took me out of the 2012 season. But the confidence is growing. I hope to be clicking off sub-6-minute pace for a full 5K soon.

What a great day for a du. The temp was perfect. The winds were light....they still sucked coming back on the out-and-back bike course...but compared to other winds in a typical spring they were wonderful.

I just wanted to have a respectable race and not get caught up in a certain goal, time, or racing my guts out. That can wait for now.

Run One (2 miles)
Goal: sub 6:30 pace
Time:  12:08 (6:04 per mile pace)

I was very surprised at this effort. My run mileage has been very weak, less than 20-miles per week. And I thought my legs felt dead as I warmed up. But after going through Mile One in 5:54, I was not feeling very bad at all. This bodes well for Apple on May 19, where my run splits will be crucial to finishing top 6 and qualifying for Worlds. A long shot at best.

Transition One
Goal: 1:10
Time: 0:58

I forgot my old man stool. But I managed to get on the bike shoes without falling down. "Help! I've fallen and I can't get up!"

Bike (14 miles)
Goal: 20+ mph avg
Time: 38:43 (21.7 MPH Avg)

Again, pleasantly surprised. With very little bike mileage to be just under a 22 MPH average was pleasing. But then, I was getting passed like I was standing still. Bike mileage will be ramped up in the coming weeks.

The moment I lost the lead in the 50-54 AG to Jeff Gilmer

Transition Two

Goal: 1:10
Time: 1:05

Again, no old man stool. The left calf briefly cramped up as I struggled to get on the racing flat. But I got out of T2 in pretty good shape. But the legs were gone. Completely gone. There would be no speed demon dogging down of people in front of me at this race.


Run Two (3 miles)
Goal: sub 6:50 pace
Time: 20:19 (6:47 per mile pace)

Typically, I love the second run. I just start out fast and keep picking people off. I picked off 3 or 4 and that was it. The legs were really done. I stayed calm, and tried to stay loose and just worked it as best I could.

Post-Cap

Pleased overall, considering I still need to shed 10-lbs and still need to get into shape. Not sure either will happen as I'm committed to making sure Podium Boy is ready for his two Modern Pentathlon events and his upcoming July week at the Olympic Training Center with the USA Modern Pentathlon Youth Development camp. You think its hard training for three events, try five.

Awards

Received a nice medal for finishing second in the 50-54 AG and had a nice conversation with AG winner Jeff Gilmer who had an outstanding split on the bike.

Next Race

May 4 - Jump To It 10K, White Bear Lake MN