Race Report
By Roger Hospedales, Team Running Free
Race: Binbrook Duathlon
Date: Sunday June 13, 2010.
Location: Binbrook Conservation Area – Hamilton, Ontario
Description: Duathlon (4.5 km run, 28 km bike, 4.5 km run)
Website: www.msctriathlon.com
After last weekend’s races and it’s resulting effect on my left soleus, the plan for today’s race was simple; run easy (keep the pace no faster than 5:00/km—running faster seems to generate mysterious injuries – I’ll save those efforts for ‘A’ races) and bike hard.
This race also marked for the first time in three years that I did not do both the Duathlon and the GT 12.9 race right after. I remember the pain of that 2nd race and I certainly did not miss it.
Binbrook Duathlon – Run 4.5km, Bike 28 Km, Run 4.6 Km
14th overall in 1:36:22. 4th M 40-44
1st run – 23:41
I love this run course because of the mixed terrain, but the rain made things a soggy mess. As I stated in the preamble, I just wanted to run easy. So I ran steady and enjoyed the course, puddles and all. I realized that there were a ton of fast runners; I would have my work cut out to catch them on the bike.
T1: 46 seconds. The fastest of the race – I will gladly take free speed.
Bike – 48:11 / 33.6 km/hr (6th best)
Having had an easier run, I hopped on the bike ready to give it my all. And despite a few moments of slacking, I simply hammered it out and tried to pass everyone in front of me, because I had no intention of running hard for the final 4.5 km. I was very happy with my bike ride. Just one fast triathlete (David Bedrosian) passed me. I averaged 215 watts – for this relatively flat course. Note: that the course was actually 28 km (not 27 as the results say) so everyone’s average speed is faster.
T2: 33 seconds. The fastest once again. It also means I get to run slower.
2nd run – 23:14
Again, I just set out to run steady and not destroy myself – I can’t afford to be super sore or injured since I’ve got many long workouts scheduled in the upcoming week. I fully expected to be passed by a bunch of people. All felt great until 1.5 km to go. I completely rolled my right ankle and heard a snap – I think it was from the gravel though; even the guy behind me heard it and was concerned. Aside from the initial trauma and immediate slowing of my pace, all felt good. There was no pain, so I soon got back up to the pace I had before and kept plugging away. Carlos Batista (a regular face in this series and a great guy) pulled up alongside and we had a nice chat for the final 1km. He joked about battling it out in a sprint finish but I said no thanks. And while I think I might have scared Carlos into thinking I might sprint by him, I had no intention (he is not in my age group) and just crossed the line comfortably, one second behind him.
After the race, I did a 45-minute cooldown run, and the ankle felt fine. However, as I write this (the day after the race), my right ankle is swollen and is in pain, and so is my right soleus. My left side is totally fine. This stuff never ends, I love getting older. At least I was able to be the fastest at something……transitions.
MultiSport Canada put on another great race in spite of the challenging conditions, and the Race to Conquer Cancer bike route making its way through the bike course. Kent “swim cap” Parkinson did another excellent job as race announcer.
Shout outs go all the athletes representing Team Running Free on the weekend: Larry Bradley, Karen Gamble, Peter Geering, and some 22-year old tall and fast dude – sorry I didn’t catch your name. Apologies to anyone I left out.
