My wife Chelsea and I signed up for the Shoreline Duathlon just a few days prior to the race. The race was to take place on Saturday morning. I decided to warm myself up for the race by taking a vacation day on Wednesday, and going for a 113 mile bike ride. It was a brutally hot and windy day, but I had fun. Saturday finally came, and the duathlon was hosted at Concordia University of Wisconsin–a beautiful campus on a high bluff overlooking Lake Michigan, and Chelsea’s alma mater. The weather was great but quick to get hot–especially on the run.

The run course was 2.5 miles, featuring dirt and grass trails as well as about 8 or 10 switchbacks climbing up the huge bluff… right in the sun. I ran hard enough to breathe heavy but didn’t overdo it. My lack of run training due to the Achilles really shows on short distance races, but I’m always happy to be running. I was in 10th place finishing the first run.

Quick transition onto the bike. I knew the bike course would be smooth because I had ridden most of it 3 days before, during my 113 mile bike ride. Speaking of which, it was not long before my legs remembered all 113 miles and started to feel like jello. I averaged higher speed and power during the 2nd half of the 21 mile course. Averaged 24.7 mph overall, which was good considering my legs. I will say that I’ve learned to suffer better on the bike, and push harder than I used to. I got off the bike in 2nd place.

The 2nd run was identical to the first course. Just hotter and more difficult. I managed somehow to not get caught. I ran hard and tried to stay far enough ahead that the guy behind me couldn’t see me. The climb up the bluff was brutal. What an awesome view though, and a great feeling at the top. I finished the race in 2nd place overall (a little over a minute behind first), and 1st in my age group. I did my best for today, and Chelsea had a great race too!