Sunday, April 09, 2006

Buzzard Duathlon Race Recap!

It was a beautiful day to be out participating in a duathlon race today! The sun was shining through blue skies. The temperature was about 38 degrees F. The race began with a run of 3 hilly miles around Hinkley Lake on the road. I felt comfortable running a 6:00 minute mile pace. I made it back to the transition area to get my bike and took off riding and still feeling good. After cruising with the 2nd lead pack group (on my 2nd lap of 5 around the Lake) my chain popped off going up a hill. I lost my momentum and could not put the chain back on while riding and had to get off the bike to put it back on. And of course being on a hill I could not get back on and ride so I ran with the bike up the hill. I realized these things can happen and just continued to ride my heart out. I completed the 5 hilly laps of 15.3 miles in 46:10 which is a 19.9 miles per hour pace. After racking my bike in the transition area I attempted to unsnap the chin-strap of my helmet but my hands were so cold and numb from the ride that I struggled with it for about 30 seconds but it seemed more like 2 minutes. With the mechanical mishap of the bike chain and the discomfort of frozen fingers I was still feeling strong and happy to be out racing my heart out. On the last lap of running the hilly course I took the opportunity to pass some of the many people that passed me on the bike leg. I finished 13th overall with a time of 1:24:34. It was a beautiful day!
Male Duathlon Race Results

13 comments:

Trisaratops said...

Wow!! Great job, Papa Louie!!!

BuckeyeRunner said...

NICE JOB, Papa Louie! I am sorry we didn't get to see you there! I would have loved to have you in the post race photo! Way to go.

Hilda said...

Well done, sounds like a great and cold race!!

qcmier said...

Sorry I did not meet up with you afterwards. I guess I had my blinders on. Great job at the race.

Kewl Nitrox said...

What a geat result despite the cold and the chain! Good going, many would have DNF'ed.

"could not put the chain back on while riding" - how do you even try to do that?

Janet Edwards said...

What a nice job despite all your troubles! Congratulations!

E-Speed said...

Great Job Lou!

JeffM said...

Wow- you're my hero- those are fantastic times! 19.9 average on hills with a chain coming off is really good! Also 6 minute miles on hills! The one time my chain came off in a race I jumped off and put it back on and turned around and went down the hill to clip in and then whipped around. Your way sounds better, never tried putting it on while still riding. Sounds like a good start to the outdoor season!

Cliff said...

Crap happens....u still have a great race. :)

Deb said...

Sounds like you came through strong and able! That's the way to kick it!! Everyday day is a great race day... You make Him proud!

Trifrog said...

Great job, Lou! Even with your mishaps, you are finishing with guys that I've been trying to catch up to for years.

Way to take your problems in stride (pun intended) and still enjoy yourself.

For those wondering how to put a chain back on while still riding, sometimes if you shift the front derailleur to the big gear and turn the cranks slowly, the chain will catch the gear and re-align itself. If there is any resistance, do not push harder, get off and do it manually.

Anonymous said...

best regards, nice info
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Anonymous said...

That's a great story. Waiting for more. » »