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Dambuster Duathlon 2016

By CoachKev | Published 18 March 2016 | No Comments

Dambuster Duathlon 2016

“2.5°C and -6°C wind chill out on the course”, the race official tells us at race briefing at the standard distance Dambuster Duathlon qualifier at Rutland Water Leicestershire on Saturday 5th March, “and I don’t want a fleet on ambulances out on the course picking up hypothermic competitors”. Thankfully the forecast sleet and rain had passed over night so I was just left with keeping warm rather than warm and dry. I opted for leggings, base-layer long sleeved running top and sleeveless gilet, not a tri-suit as some did on the day!

Rutland is the smallest county in the country and the focal point of the course was Rutland Water a manmade reservoir with plenty of facilities to keep the spectators warm a 25-mile perimeter for the 42km bike ride that followed the 10km run all being topped off with a 5km run.

Having set up transition with bike, crash hat, a gilet with sleeves and pair of winter gloves there was just enough time for a short warm up before the first wave headed off across the muddy grass and up the only hill on the run. 5-min later my wave, 45 to 85-year olds set off, no 80-year olds today but there was one in the 75 to 79-year category! Some initial jostling for position and I found my space settling into the pace as we headed out across the dam to Normanton church before tucking in behind a group of three runners as we turned and head back into building breeze.

My pre-race orientation to find my bike on entry to transition was clearly not sufficient as I entered the evens rack running past my bike then having to duck back under the racks and retrieve my bike. I had already decided that the second gilet was not needed which forced me to forego gloves as they were tucked in the gilet and I didn’t want to waste that time. A short sharp uphill meant for some chaos at the mount line as people struggled with pedals and shoes.

600-bikes on the road made for a busy circuit that really helped with the motivation as you chased down the next competitor. Despite the location the organisers had managed to find an undulating course which challenged us all as we descended at around 45mph and climbed at 9mph. The first hour went well but fatigue was starting to kick in and, having completed a recce of the course the day before, I knew I had to adopt a different approach for the last nasty climb around 5-miles from transition.

Those gloves would have helped as I struggled to unclip my shoes as I rolled down the hill to transition forcing my foot out of one shoe as I was unable to unclip properly. This time I found the rack arriving in soggy socks and had enough strength despite the cold hands to pull on my shoes before heading off on the 5km run.

The usual very stiff legs prevailed for the first few minutes freeing up easily by the turn which had to be questioned as it seemed too close to transition compared with the previous two legs. Only 10-mins to go and I just had to dig in and I’d be done – finished.

A pint of the sponsors Erdinger zero alcohol chilled! beer just past the line and a glance at the watch – not the time I wanted but not for wont of trying or training 2:21:05 and 9th in the age group, not enough to qualify but some experience gained ready of my next attempt in a couple of weeks.