Windsor Duathlon 2016
I had very low expectations for this event, which was lucky, as everyone else seemed to think it would be brilliant and were very disappointed. I had a pretty great day, despite some of the obvious difficulties, and I'll explain why.
I was excited when this inaugural Windsor Duathlon event was announced - running and cycling on my home turf, in areas of Windsor Great Park where you are never allowed to go. I signed up right away.
My cycling was good at the time, and my running was progressing after a long time away with injury. I hoped I had a real chance to do well in my age group.
But I got injured, and didn't run for six months. And I have a toddler, don't get a lot of sleep, and missed a lot of cycling over the winter as well. So I revised my aim - just get through both runs somehow, and enjoy the bike ride.
The weather in the preceding week was bad. Reports came in that the course was a lake. I did a trial of the bike course the day before and it was fine, but it rained again overnight.
I packed my trail running shoes, fully expecting to be splashing through water, and having to struggle to get them on again after the bike ride for the second run. Packed a spare pair of socks. Quick release laces? No need, I was going to be slow anyway!
Pre-race
For me, this was simple - a short 7 minute bike ride to the registration tent. I could see cars queuing a long way back, so it was no surprise when the start got delayed by 30 minutes. They had no timing chip for me, it was just not there in it's slot, so changed my number (new one 2115). This was handled efficiently, but it was still a pain for me to put new stickers on my bike and helmet, and a new number on my race belt.
Transition was a muddy field. New rules meant putting my bag a long way from my bike, against a makeshift fence. I wasn't happy with that, as my phone and wallet were in it. At least if it is next to my bike someone might be spotted if they were rummaging inside. Also, I had to decide exactly what to put there for T1 and T2, and I was a bit rushed and hadn't quite decided if I'd need new socks, or what food/drinks. I had a banana while I walked around.
Run one - 53:46
Briefing was fine. At 20 minutes out, I took a gel, and and we walked up the Long Walk towards the Copper Horse for the start. At the signal, people in front started running and I walked to what I thought would be the line. But there was no line, no timing mat. Gun time and Chip time would be the same, so I lost 30-60 seconds on my overall time. This is disappointing.
Having had 6 months out from running, I took this very slowly. I had planned to walk a lot, but the runners around me were a big incentive not to stop, and I did make the whole 10k with only some very short breaks. Wearing just a tri-suit was a good idea as I didn't get too warm, or too cold. I was constantly overtaken, but resisted the urge to chase people - it was hard but I just wanted to get round in one piece.
The route was nice, and the muddy sections weren't as bad as I expected. As I came towards transition, I spotted Anna and Lyra and waved to them, very happy to have made it and not feeling that bad.
T1 - 1:57
Getting into and out of T1 was pretty nasty. Slipping in mud, trying to change shoes without stepping in mud, pushing pike through mud. I didn't dawdle, but didn't really rush it either, getting my breath back a little for the ride
Bike - 1:16:02
I got on my bike and pushed my mud filled cleats onto the pedals - amazingly they fastened. As I cycled up the road, mud flew from the tyres, but not all. I'd ride my fancy TT bike with aero wheels and light race tyres, covered in mud.
According to Strava, by four bike loop times are 17:23, 17:11, 17:18 and 17:14. I'm pleased with this consistency, I only wish I could have been a bit faster. But I was tired from the run - it's a long time since I did a duathlon, or a bike ride after a run. And my left calf was threatening to cramp, I could feel a familiar spasm trying to start when I pulled up on the pedals. So on the climbs, where I usually make good time, I had to back off. I had fun and got down on my aero bars at every opportunity. I didn't think it was too crowded.
On one descent, from the private part of the park down to Johnson's pond, it was a bit hairy. I didn't risk the aero bars as the road twisted slightly through a narrow gate, and then there was an uneven surface. This is the spot where (unknown to me till later that evening) my friend Phil crashed his bike. I saw an ambulance but didn't know it was him. He was hurt quite badly, but is making a full recovery we hope. I'm glad I didn't push it there.
I really enjoyed getting into the private road - I wish they would open it full time. as it makes a nice loop - without this section, you have to go out onto the main road.
I had 500ml of sports drink in my bottle, and had followed my plan to drink it all gradually over the 40k. I also took my second gel at the start of the third lap.
I saw Anna and Lyra at the end of every lap and gave them a wave!
All in all, a pleasant and controlled cycle. Tried to keep some energy in reserve, but don't think I quite managed it.
T2 - 1:41
More mud, more trying to change shoes in mud, and also, a very long muddy run to get back onto the proper course for the second run.
Run 2 - 28:20
My trail shoes had a hard layer of mud on the bottom, that I now carried with me for 5k. I stamped a bit but it wouldn't dislodge. This is where my race fell apart. I was very tired, and my thighs were hurting a lot - not as bad as London Marathon, but quite a bit. I ran and walked, and walked and ran. I couldn't find the energy to keep running. I had to do two laps up and down The Long Walk, and it seemed a lot further to the first turnaround then it should have been. At least it was flat.
I put on a brave face for the cameras, and for Anna supporting, but this is the slowest 5k I have ever raced - to match my slowest 10k race time earlier.
Finish 2:41:46
Very happy to have actually finished. I was 41st out of 65 in my age group, which is surprisingly high considering my lack of running. I couldn't walk for two days afterwards, and I think I'm losing a toenail, but I got off fairly lightly.
I didn't really care about the mud - I've done Grim Duathlon, and a lot of other muddy runs, and this was tame in comparison. I didn't have any problems getting to the event, and I actually walked home. The marshals were fine, and I know the Great park backwards so didn't need much in the way of directions or help. I've been racing triathlon for about 12 years, so understand the logistics and don't get too stressed any more.
I can see that if this was your first introduction to duathlon, and you came from outside Windsor, that the difficulties would have been very annoying. And I can see that with some forethought it could be a lot better. The Expo was almost non-existent.
But I had a great day, in the sunshine, and got a medal, so hopefully I'll be back next year to take at least 15 minutes off that time :)
Resources
Strava Bike here
Results on Resultsbase
BTF Results
Windsor Duathlon Homepage
