Lavender Rose
Specialized Fan Girl
- Location
- Ashford, Kent
Hello all! I don't know if anyone reads my posts, but I feel it could be helpful for others looking to compete in this awesome multi-sport.
In summary, I am so so happy with how this season has gone.
This has been my first full year of competing in all 5 Mid Week Duathlon Events (May, June, July, August, September) Last year, because I only felt competent enough to do so. I only competed in August and September so I could not really compare 2017 with 2018.
I am still competing at GoTri distance so 2.5km Run, 15k Bike and 2.2k Run. Many experienced people will say that that is a very short distance, hence the GoTri title. But I am wanting to improve and get my target time before moving up (1hr 15 max - currently at 1hr 21). However, I am doing a slightly longer one-off Duathlon in November which is 3km Run/12.5k Bike/3k Run.
In every event since June, I have been cutting down my times and I finished this season on a pb of 1:21:29! I was so happy to finish on a high, especially after having lower back issues early in the year which made everything very uncomfortable! I also had a couple of run coach sessions which made me realise I needed to work on my footfall and breathing...both of which I am getting better at.
I feel that often where I would lose time would be in the transition from the bike to the final run. So in addition, I have been factoring in 'BRICK' sessions once a week, whereby I do a quick spin on the bike for around 5/6 miles then get home, put the bike in the garden and go for a mile run. I feel this has helped reduce jelly legs and actually I ran the best ever this season on the 2nd run at my last event, so it must be helping!!!
I have been very lucky this year to have been able to speak to lots of different amazing people talented in running and cycling who have offered lots of help etc - which I have been grateful for and as well as all the support I get from my family (especially my mum who comes with me each time
)
So ultimately, I am very happy with this season. I have still around 5 events left which are all running (canicross and road) but then from November I have no events until March/April SOOO... I can really sort out my training as well as focusing on rehab and strengthening.
I really would encourage people to enter this sport, I feel it definitely makes you feel differently about training and looking after your body. I felt my fitness as improved much more since focusing on running as well as cycling - despite running being my weaker discipline.
So roll on the rest of the year and hopefully a rewarding off-season training plan
In summary, I am so so happy with how this season has gone.
This has been my first full year of competing in all 5 Mid Week Duathlon Events (May, June, July, August, September) Last year, because I only felt competent enough to do so. I only competed in August and September so I could not really compare 2017 with 2018.
I am still competing at GoTri distance so 2.5km Run, 15k Bike and 2.2k Run. Many experienced people will say that that is a very short distance, hence the GoTri title. But I am wanting to improve and get my target time before moving up (1hr 15 max - currently at 1hr 21). However, I am doing a slightly longer one-off Duathlon in November which is 3km Run/12.5k Bike/3k Run.
In every event since June, I have been cutting down my times and I finished this season on a pb of 1:21:29! I was so happy to finish on a high, especially after having lower back issues early in the year which made everything very uncomfortable! I also had a couple of run coach sessions which made me realise I needed to work on my footfall and breathing...both of which I am getting better at.
I feel that often where I would lose time would be in the transition from the bike to the final run. So in addition, I have been factoring in 'BRICK' sessions once a week, whereby I do a quick spin on the bike for around 5/6 miles then get home, put the bike in the garden and go for a mile run. I feel this has helped reduce jelly legs and actually I ran the best ever this season on the 2nd run at my last event, so it must be helping!!!
I have been very lucky this year to have been able to speak to lots of different amazing people talented in running and cycling who have offered lots of help etc - which I have been grateful for and as well as all the support I get from my family (especially my mum who comes with me each time
)So ultimately, I am very happy with this season. I have still around 5 events left which are all running (canicross and road) but then from November I have no events until March/April SOOO... I can really sort out my training as well as focusing on rehab and strengthening.
I really would encourage people to enter this sport, I feel it definitely makes you feel differently about training and looking after your body. I felt my fitness as improved much more since focusing on running as well as cycling - despite running being my weaker discipline.
So roll on the rest of the year and hopefully a rewarding off-season training plan
