Mt. Rainier Duathlon

I woke up at 5am, not feeling well. Ate a bit, then hit the hr long drive to Enumclaw. I got there and was happy to see the weather was going to be perfect. I noticed it was a tiny tranistion area with few racers.

Saw GregW and we spoke a bit, then started the run. First mile I had two guys next to me that really got on my nerves, one guys feet hit the ground so hard I thought the hulk was running next to me. Then the guy behind me had some snot problems, so I had to sprint ahead a bit before I got too annoyed (yes i'm a bit irratable in the moring). Anyway.. I did a 7:30 first mile and glanced over my shoulder and I don't think there was many behind me. I guess only the good athletes showed up for this one. The run felt great, I did a 8:00 pace, which is was decent for me. great run!

Got on the bike, felt ok, had some bad back pain earlier in the week I was worried about. After a couple miles on the bike, my hamstrings were killing me, and had a rough first lap. I got passed by the few people I beat in the run. Then the second lap my legs felt better, but my lower back was killing me now. I don't think at any point on the bike I was racing, I was more just trying to keep going. So I finished the bike and nobody is around. I was pretty sure I was in last place. no problem, I'll just pass a few on the last run.

Uh.. then came the most painful run of my life. My legs were gone. I did an 8 minute mile, then it turned into 9min miles, with some quick bits of walking. I finally caught someone who had to walk and passed them. Then I painfully got near the end and caught a guy walking near the finish. I pushed to get near him, then 100ft before the line I did a full out sprint, but the few spectators made noise and he saw me, so we had a really fun full out sprint, and he beat me by a half step. You can see in the photo he has me beat at the line. (hmm - I guess I did beat him by .00.4 according to the results, sweet!) I think what happened is my timing chip on my left leg crossed before his. Mine was going forward and his back. Then I had no breath and wanted to collapse.

That was the most painful race I've ever done. I was hurting for quite a while after the race. Man did it feel good to get home and pig out and nap.
I had to really learn to not pay attention to the fact that I was getting my butt KICKED by everyone out there and just do my race! Its challening when you feel like you are out there by yourself.

My reuslts:

48th out of 63. 1st Run - 8:00 pace Bike - 1:47:14 2nd run - 8::31 pace - Really? wow I walked some and felt horrible, so not bad.
total: 3:02 - ok I'll have to beat this next year.

Overall its a great race, especially if you want a break from the more popular busy ones. I will probalby do it again next year. Hopefully it won't be so painful then. I actually got an award for 3rd place for my age group! Ok, so it was only out of five, but I the two people I passed on the run were in my age group so the pain on the run paid off.