I finished my first real biathlon this morning in Highland, Illinois. The race entailed a 5 mile run followed by a 15 mile bike segment.
Well, it was hot and windy. I was nowhere close to my target time of 1:30. I thought it should be pretty easy to knock out 9-minute miles and then a 20 mph average on the bike.
It wasn't that easy.
My run time ended up being about 3 minutes slower than target and the bike ended up about 3 minute slower. And I had forgotten about the transition which added another two minutes. The weather conditions were hot and windy. Hot made it tougher on the run, windy made it tougher on the bike. After about 3 miles, I was really wishing the run had been a 5k. I was overheating and slowing way down.
Once I got on the bike I felt light and fast. It's much more of my natural habitat. The windy sections made it slower, but the stretches of road where we were going directly into the wind are where I had done most of my passing of other competitors.
The Lion's Club of Highland did a good job with the race. And as a bonus, I managed to finish in the top half of the competitors - by one person. Good day overall and now for a nap and some barbecue and beer.
It really is a good race I plan on doing it next year!
ReplyDeleteNice race! It was a hot one out there today.
ReplyDeleteNice job! Daniel told me today, "John said his dad beat you in the race yesterday," so eventually I'm going to have to beat you so that my son can brag on me instead.
ReplyDeleteKate will have the chance to seek her revenge on me at the Route 66 10k. It's just running, so I have no chance to distance her on the bike.
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