This past weekend (12/03/11), I participated in my first duathlon. This event was a 4-mile run followed by a 10-mile bike. The event is called Chilly Cheeks because the event is ran regardless of weather conditions. They said that some years is warm and dry out, but that wasn’t the case this year. It was cold, windy, snowy and downright brutal.

I got to the event and parked my bike in the transition area (shown in pic). I immediately went back to my warm car and waited for the event to start. As I sat in my car, I watched other participants pull up and get ready for the event. As I was people watching, one thing quickly became apparent. I didn’t have the right gear to run/bike in these conditions. All of these other people had high tech gear (shirts, pants, socks etc) and I had the stuff that was in my drawers at home. I was ill-equipped…this is something I made a note of for next time. The next thought in my head was that I made a fatal mistake. I didn’t bring a change of clothes! I will be driving home in cold and wet socks and shirt. Another lesson learned.

The race started out as any other race. I was excited as I approached the start line. The run was a 4 mile loop that finished at the transition area. As the start gun went off, I began running at my normal pace. Not too long into the run, I realized that I have never really run or trained with the amount of clothing that I was currently wearing. I wonder how this will impact my pace. The run was pleasant and the cool air really didn’t bother me too bad. The first 1.75 miles of the run was on a snow packed road. My feet were staying dry and fairly warm. The rest of the run was on a trail and my feet became an issue. My feet got wet and my toes were starting to get really cold. I now regret that I didn’t bring a change a socks for the transition. I tried to put my toes out of my mind and just finish the run.

I entered the transition area (shown in pic on right) and began to get ready for the bike leg of the race. I took a bit longer than I wanted cause I ate a well needed Clif Bar. When that was down the hatch, I grabbed my bike and off I went. The bike portion of the race was an out and back course that followed the run for the first 2 miles.The first part of the bike leg was actually kinda nice. The course was flat so I was able to go fast and the wind wasn’t too bad. About 4 miles into it, the wind kicked up which made it very cold. I brought ski goggles so my vision wasn’t an issue, but the wind was ripping right through me. At the half way mark of the bike I was ready to throw in the towel. But my ego wouldn’t allow that. I had to finish. The ride back to the finish line was a bit downhill so I pressed on. To my surprise, I passed a few people which just added to my motivation to finish.

I saw the finish line and started peddling as fast as I possible could. My toes were frozen and I wanted to get warm. I could see the end in sight and I wanted to cross that line so I could get in my warm truck and thaw out. As I crossed the finish line, I felt a great sense of accomplishment. I withstood the elements and finished my first duathlon. The best part of crossing the finish line was still to come. After I took off my timing chip a warm cup of Cup O’Noodles was waiting for me. I devoured that cup of noodles.

When I got home, I looked online for my results. I finished in a total time of 1 hour 49 minutes 39 seconds. The 4-mile run took me 45:56 and I completed the bike in 58:30.

In retrospect, I might have been a little crazy for going out in the elements to run and bike…but I am glad I did. I pushed myself and accomplished something. The race was a lot of fun, even with the crazy weather. I look forward to the other 2 duathlons in the Chilly Cheeks series!