Tri Training Resumes, and first Duathlon Completed

It's been a week since my first-ever duathlon, and I'm starting to really get into the groove of tri-training again. I have my first Olympic of the year (third overall) in approximately one month, and the half-ironman in exactly 3 months from today. Although I haven't swam much, I have been getting out on the bike a lot more, and trying to keep up with running. The running is harder with Kentucky's humid, summer heat, but I'm doing the best I can with 3-4 milers a few times a week.

The duathlon was put on by Oldham Co. Parks and Recreation and was a 3k run/10 mile bike/3k run. I told Alicia afterwards that I felt this duathlon was harder than a tri since we were on our feet running, then cycling, then running again. The course was the same that I've done twice before through the Oldham Co. Tri, and the hills weren't any easier this time around. I felt fairly decent throughout, although we walked a lot of the last 3k. It was a fairly small race with only 50 or so participants, which was only proved by my getting runner-up in my age group at an unofficial 1:33:34 finishing time. I believe only a handful of participants came in after Alicia and I crossed the finish line.

I'll probably do a duathlon again, although my focus right now is on the Oly tri swim that will take me from the banks of Kentucky to the banks of Indiana. A little scared about that one, but I figured if it was that unsafe they wouldn't have gotten the go-ahead to schedule the event. My legs are definitely feeling stronger this year - I can go up one particular hill at 8mph rather than the 6mph I was struggling with last year. ;) I think I just need to invest in some softer, thicker, more comfortable bike shorts so my toosh doesn't hurt nearly so bad. Butt (pun intended), I guess that's the price we triathletes pay for the sport we love!