Hi,
on the 19th of January I took part in the first multisport race of the season in Hal Safi organised by Agones as part of a 4-race series. This one was a Half Duathlon (5km Run-20km Bike-2.5km Run). To be honest I was expecting a completely different scenario than the one I found. I thought it was a race for complete beginners or others relatively new to the sport but I found stiff competition from some of the best Maltese athletes with plenty of training and experience.
I tried to keep calm as I know it works well for me. Lately I slightly injured the left IT band (as shown on the right). Fortunately I only felt slight pain during warm up which faded away while racing. The pace for the first run was extremely fast for me - I had an average of 4min36sec per km and I was almost the last one at that point. I knew I couldn't push harder than that because it is still early in the off season and that pace is similar to my race pace during last season. I also knew that other athletes are very strong in the run and some others simply start out too fast and may fade later on. The first run was over in 20.56.
I was determined to make for lost ground once on the bike. Transition was very smooth and although I did not bring my cycling racing shoe nor did I clip the shoe to the pedal (thinking it was a race for beginners) I was quite quick. This was the first drafting race I ever took part in - meaning I could shield myself behind other cyclists in order to avoid pushing against the wind. This meant that aero bars had to be removed. The cycling part was much easier for me although there was part of the course with very strong wind gusts exactly in front of Medavia.
We had to go in a loop for 8 times. Finishing almost half, I noticed that the handlebar was a bit loose. It got much worse and I had to decide to stop in transition area to tighten the bolts. It took me about a minute and a half and I almost lost some time in the previous part as I had to hold the stem with one of my hands as I feared bolts were so loose that the handlebar would detach from the frame. I kept calm and after exiting transition area I pushed much more to gain back the lost time. I finished the bike in 37.43 - gaining 5 places in the process.
The last run was only a single loop around the course. I felt some cramping in both calves at the beginning but I could push soon after. The pace was a bit slower - something I definitely have to work on to be consistent. I finished the second run in 11.34 and the total race in 1hr 10mins 13sec.
The last run was only a single loop around the course. I felt some cramping in both calves at the beginning but I could push soon after. The pace was a bit slower - something I definitely have to work on to be consistent. I finished the second run in 11.34 and the total race in 1hr 10mins 13sec.
The placing was not that great - I was the 18th out of 24 athletes. However, when comparing data with the previous season, the pacing is very close to race pacing during main events. I am confident that I will improve without neglecting my current strengths and become better and stronger. After all, it is still off season and a long way to go for the main races.
Anatoly
