Crank Racing : : Asbury Grove Duathlon

2.4m run / 9.5m bike / 2.4m run (on the road)

Mike (who has made me make bad decisions my whole life) coerced me into doing the Asbury Grove duathlon on Saturday, July19th.

I thought, "I've been running for about two weeks now, and I've been on the road bike a good 3-4 times this year--I must be ready for a race." And since misery loves company, I got Doug and Arsen to race too.

The main draw to this race was the fact that it was local and cheap--two things I love in a race. It was also pretty low key. There were bikes that would go for about $15 at a yard sale all the way up to full-blown carbon tri-bikes. The scary thing for me was seeing how many F-A-S-T runners are on those "ride once a year" bikes.

Anyway, the first run was 2.4 miles of rude awakenings. I have been running twice a week with Mike in the mornings and I think he's been sandbagging me all this time because he took off like bullet.

I have no idea how he and I, or Doug or Arsen were doing in relation to the rest of the competitors (there were about 48 in all), but Mike finished the first run in about 17 min and some change, and I came in just shy of a minute later, at 18:12 (sad isn't it?).

LIke I said, since I had been running about two weeks prior, I was in perfect condition to go from the run to the bike (not).

I was already tired and sore (especially tired because my dog kept me up almost ALL night because she was sick--but I digress). I tried to make up as much time as I could on the bike, but about 10 minutes into it Doug popped up over my left shoulder (like some sort of deranged parrot).

Since we both wanted to catch Mike, I figured it would be better for us to work together. We did and we eventually caught Mike (it should be noted in all fairness to all parties that Doug and I were on road bikes and Mike was on a mtb with slicks--AND he had taken time in the transition area to change shoes). Doug was attacking non-stop and Mike and I could only answer each attack as best we could.

The three of us duked it out for the entire rest of the bike leg--it was as if there were no other racers around. We all hit the transition area at the same time and Doug was the first one to hit the last run.

With a couple of duathlons under his belt already this year, Doug was definitely the one in the best shape to finish strong, and he did.

Going out into the second run I had some MAJOR cramping issues in my calves and had to walk for a bit. Mike caught up (after changing shoes again) and Mike and I ran in together, like two old battered bi-otches.

This was Arsen's first race of the year too, and he was also on a mountain bike. He had two strong runs and came in just a little after Mike and I.

It was tons of fun to be back in a race, although it would have been a little more fun if I had felt like I did last year. Oh well--I'll get back there (once I stop spending every spare minute in school, studying, in shoulder therapy, or working out the details of our kitchen).

Until then, I shall suck wind and suffer.