I'm worse than I thought.

RonanP77

I did a Duathlon today, I'm a novice at running and cycling so I always like to start at the back so I don't get in anyone's way. For the first running section I must have passed about 20 people so I wasn't doing too bad. I was only a few km out the road on the bike when they all started passing me back.

I don't know how many finished behind me but I'd say 15 or so passed me over the 17.4k cycle. My average pace was only 22.5km/h. Lots of hills throughout, even on the run. It left me a little disheartened.

When it got to the second run my legs were gone and even though I could see people ahead of me I hadn't a hope of catching them. I got around in a much faster time than I had expected, unfortunately so did everyone else.

victorcarrera

IMO: For endurance racing the difference between novice and achieving potential is 3 to 5 years. For now just enjoy your training and don't over do it because you will just give it up. If you want to improve follow a structured training plan and diet and learn to pace yourself. The people who passed you today will all have done that so you were always at a distinct disadvantage.

Buzwaldo

Most likely the people you passed on the first run were cyclists, so better set up for that. I almost never run, did a duathalon recently, finished near the back on the run, but passed loads on the bike leg. Good few of these got me on the second run though.
Main competition is myself. Will look to improve my overall time next year.

RonanP77

I had set myself a target of 1:30 and not finish last. I finished in 1:15:41 and 48th/57 + 1 that didn't finish. I suppose from that point I should be chuffed.

I ran the last 2km with a woman that did it last year too. She finished in the middle last year and did a better time this year but finished joint 47th or 48th with me. There was prize money on offer this year so she said it was a much different and much smaller croud than last year.

I need to get my fitness levels way up and seriously improve my time on the bike. I'm looking forward to the next one even though I struggled so badly on this one. I have 3 weeks to prepare for it.

fits

Hey it sounds like you did really well! Its natural to want to be faster but this was your first one right?. Put in the training and the speed will come. That's what I tell myself anyway. And aren't you actually 15 minutes better than you thought. Main competition is with yourself.

bambergbike

You might actually be a bit fitter than you now think. If you got your pacing wrong, went out too hard, and then faded towards the end, you might have needed a slower start for a faster finish. Maybe keep a bit more in the tank for later in the race next time?

Either way, it doesn't really matter where you are now: you've got a rough baseline from which you can measure improvements over the coming weeks, and that's all you need. Well done on putting yourself out there and getting an idea of what you're capable of.

kumate_champ07

you just need to gain more experience and confidence, its not always the fitness that makes or breaks you, its your racing brain that manages the tactics and engine!

RonanP77

I did hold a little back on the first run, or at least I thought I had. Looking at Runkeeper afterwards I did run it a bit faster tha I had intended. I had no real tactics at all. It's all part of a learning curve and I suppose I'm happy enough for a first attempt. The last place guy finished about 40 minutes behind me and he's probably fairly happy.