Howdy Du Race Report

Sunday was the 2nd of 3 races in the Texas Du Series, the Howdy Du. I've only done one duathlon prior to this one, and it was a last-minute decision to race this one at all. But I decided that I would probably be doing a brick workout anyway, and I need the race-day jitters practice periodically. Plus I really like the name "Howdy Du" so why not?? I remember hearing Panther say last year that in general, duathletes are FAST. For the last 2 days I kept having a mental image of Panther swirling in my head repeating that over and over and over. So, my only goal was to not embarrass myself.

My pre-race brick on Saturday morning went very good. I decided I would do a quick 1mi run, 4mi bike, 1mi run. My run times were the fastest I've ever run, with a 7:51 and a 7:41 respectively. I have NEVER run that fast before. EVER. So, for all of you out there who regularly run that pace, imagine improving by about 1 minute in the last 6 months after coming off an injury. I hoped this was a sign for a good race.

I was the first to arrive in transition on race day at 5:45am and snagged prime real estate in the first rack at the bike in/out. I kept feeling like I was forgetting something, and then I realized it was my swim cap & goggles! Obviously, those aren't needed in a duathlon - I guess I'm so used to triathlons! I chatted with Tim & Carri as they volunteered, then buddied up with Glenda & Suellen for some positive energy. I ran into Tim H & Rhonda, and then saw Missy, as well. Glenda and I did one loop of the 1.5mi trail for a warmup at a decent clip. I asked Glenda about her du strategy & she commented that the biggest mistake you can do is go out too fast on the first run. So, with that in my back pocket, we were split into 2 waves. I was with the 39 & under group, which headed out first.

My first loop of the run course was, you guessed it: too fast. I didn't feel like it was too fast. I wasn't really passing anyone and more importantly, no one was really passing me. When I checked my split I was at a 7:50 pace! That would probably hurt later, so I slowed a bit for the 2nd loop. Then it was onto the bike (this is where Glenda passed me). I really tried to push it and stay aero, but there's always that voice that reminds you there's still another run to do. After two bike loops, I felt pretty good, and then it was back to transition to head out for the 2nd run. Not as fast as the first, but I kept thinking about my form. I found a good rhythm for my breathing, which was important because when I go anaerobic I start wheezing & inevitably panic. I wasn't as fast on this run, but I was still pleased.

Overall Stats:
3mi run - 24:09 (8:01 avg pace)
T1 - 1:02
17mi bike - 56:13 (18.1 mph pace)
T2 - :56
3mi run - 26:04 (8:41 avg pace)
Gender Overall Place - 14th
Age Group - 1st

At first it looked like I might have been the only person in my age group, but when I found out there were at least 3 of us I was relieved it wasn't a "default win." But either way, I earned it. I have been diligent in my training, and I pushed hard the entire race. When I have volunteered at races and have cheered my friends on in the past, I've always wondered why they don't always wave & yell back. And now I know. If you're pushing hard enough, you can't muster a single sound in response (sorry, Michelle!)

Thanks to everyone who was out there volunteering & cheering: Tim, Carri, Glenda, Suellen, Tim, Rhonda, Michelle, Panther & Dash, and countless others I don't know or just met. Thanks to my family, whom I know where there in spirit. Thanks to Austin Duathletes & New Belgium for the great beer. And thanks to Raul & Run-Far for putting on a great race in a lovely park!