Run Run Away

Question:

Oh dear me.  Rob, it’s a fun sport, not a doctoral thesis.

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -I am planning on doing the Apple Duathlon in Sartell, MN on June 15th this year. I am a duathlon newbie and would like to ask a few questions. FYI : The Apple Duathlon is a 10K/42K/5K event. Here’s my status: – I am a fairly serious runner since last summer and just finished my first marathon last weekend. (4:03:00) – I have been recreationally road biking on and off for many years, and can hold a pretty decent pace for a couple hours. – My bike is a pretty low end Trek touring bike that I’ve been on for about 10 years or so. No fancy clipless pedals or anything, so I’ll just be riding in my running shoes with toe cages. This should make transitions a little easier at least. Here are my questions: Has anyone here done the Apple Duathlon that can give me an idea what the course is like? Specifically the bike portion: Is it a pretty flat, fast course or is it hilly? Since I have never competed in any bike events, what basic race etiquette do I need to know: IE passing, how close to ride to others, verbal signals, turns, etc. And Is there somewhere I can read up on this type of stuff? Since the event is in 2 1/2 weeks, I am going to be training almost every day, with a few rest days in between. I would think doing something like the following should work well : Run/Bike one day, Bike/Run the next day, etc…Run/Bike/Run on the weekend, rest next day. Does this sound like a good plan? Should I train up to or past the race distances? Any suggestions here are welcome. Is it correct to assume that the first transition should be easier on me than the second? I can’t see anything too stressful about going from running to biking, but the bike to run I can see being a problem. Any hints on how to make it easier to get off my butt and onto my feet without falling down rubber legged? Thanks a bundle for any hints you may be able to provide. I am really looking forward to giving this type of event a try! -Rob

I hope you’ve been gradually building up the bike distances, as well as doing some "brick" training where you run immediately after a bike ride.  For me, I find that it takes about 6 weeks to build up from no biking to doing rides at or over 20 miles.  I haven’t done a duathlon in many years, but I remember the toughest part being the bike to run transition.  The first transition is not that bad so long as you don’t overdo it in the first run (no sprint at the finish).  That being said, don’t forget to also do a few reverse "bricks" where you ride after you run.  I’ve found this forces you to ride with somewhat different muscles which aren’t spent from running.

Response:

Heard of learning by doing?

Heard of ‘Learning by Doing’ after ‘Preparing by researching’?

Response:

Joel,    Thanks for the information, it is very helpful. That tri site was very helpful with their beginner information also. BTW, nice job on the 1:33 half! Thanks, Rob – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Rob, Check this site for info on du’s and tri’s http://www.trisportcanada.com/ . It is a series in southern Ontario (Toronto area) and the site has various stuff to chomp on for newbies. I did my 1st DU 3 weeks ago, the first in this series, and the experience was great. In fact, I hope to do 2 or 3 more races this summer. I also just ran a half this past Sunday(1:33). You’ll probably do well in the run portions while the bike may not be as fast. On the bike just make sure to be aware of the riders around you and also of the speedsters coming up from behind. It took me about a km after the bike to get my legs ‘un-rubberized’ so don’t try to fly right off the bike. Other than that as the other post said – you will learn from doing. Have fun and before you know it you’ll be hooked. I’m riding on a bike over 10 years old and I was passing guys on mega-buck machines; it’s all in the engine! Now I want to get some new wheels and am eying up a Cannondale R700 Si. jro I am planning on doing the Apple Duathlon in Sartell, MN on June 15th this year. I am a duathlon newbie and would like to ask a few questions. FYI : The Apple Duathlon is a 10K/42K/5K event. Here’s my status: – I am a fairly serious runner since last summer and just finished my first marathon last weekend. (4:03:00) – I have been recreationally road biking on and off for many years, and can hold a pretty decent pace for a couple hours. – My bike is a pretty low end Trek touring bike that I’ve been on for about 10 years or so. No fancy clipless pedals or anything, so I’ll just be riding in my running shoes with toe cages. This should make transitions a little easier at least. Here are my questions: Has anyone here done the Apple Duathlon that can give me an idea what the course is like? Specifically the bike portion: Is it a pretty flat, fast course or is it hilly? Since I have never competed in any bike events, what basic race etiquette do I need to know: IE passing, how close to ride to others, verbal signals, turns, etc. And Is there somewhere I can read up on this type of stuff? Since the event is in 2 1/2 weeks, I am going to be training almost every day, with a few rest days in between. I would think doing something like the following should work well : Run/Bike one day, Bike/Run the next day, etc…Run/Bike/Run on the weekend, rest next day. Does this sound like a good plan? Should I train up to or past the race distances? Any suggestions here are welcome. Is it correct to assume that the first transition should be easier on me than the second? I can’t see anything too stressful about going from running to biking, but the bike to run I can see being a problem. Any hints on how to make it easier to get off my butt and onto my feet without falling down rubber legged? Thanks a bundle for any hints you may be able to provide. I am really looking forward to giving this type of event a try! -Rob

Response:

Heard of learning by doing?

Response:

Rob, Check this site for info on du’s and tri’s http://www.trisportcanada.com/ . It is a series in southern Ontario (Toronto area) and the site has various stuff to chomp on for newbies. I did my 1st DU 3 weeks ago, the first in this series, and the experience was great. In fact, I hope to do 2 or 3 more races this summer. I also just ran a half this past Sunday(1:33). You’ll probably do well in the run portions while the bike may not be as fast. On the bike just make sure to be aware of the riders around you and also of the speedsters coming up from behind. It took me about a km after the bike to get my legs ‘un-rubberized’ so don’t try to fly right off the bike. Other than that as the other post said – you will learn from doing. Have fun and before you know it you’ll be hooked. I’m riding on a bike over 10 years old and I was passing guys on mega-buck machines; it’s all in the engine! Now I want to get some new wheels and am eying up a Cannondale R700 Si. jro

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I am planning on doing the Apple Duathlon in Sartell, MN on June 15th this year. I am a duathlon newbie and would like to ask a few questions. FYI : The Apple Duathlon is a 10K/42K/5K event. Here’s my status: – I am a fairly serious runner since last summer and just finished my first marathon last weekend. (4:03:00) – I have been recreationally road biking on and off for many years, and can hold a pretty decent pace for a couple hours. – My bike is a pretty low end Trek touring bike that I’ve been on for about 10 years or so. No fancy clipless pedals or anything, so I’ll just be riding in my running shoes with toe cages. This should make transitions a little easier at least. Here are my questions: Has anyone here done the Apple Duathlon that can give me an idea what the course is like? Specifically the bike portion: Is it a pretty flat, fast course or is it hilly? Since I have never competed in any bike events, what basic race etiquette do I need to know: IE passing, how close to ride to others, verbal signals, turns, etc. And Is there somewhere I can read up on this type of stuff? Since the event is in 2 1/2 weeks, I am going to be training almost every day, with a few rest days in between. I would think doing something like the following should work well : Run/Bike one day, Bike/Run the next day, etc…Run/Bike/Run on the weekend, rest next day. Does this sound like a good plan? Should I train up to or past the race distances? Any suggestions here are welcome. Is it correct to assume that the first transition should be easier on me than the second? I can’t see anything too stressful about going from running to biking, but the bike to run I can see being a problem. Any hints on how to make it easier to get off my butt and onto my feet without falling down rubber legged? Thanks a bundle for any hints you may be able to provide. I am really looking forward to giving this type of event a try! -Rob

Response:

I am planning on doing the Apple Duathlon in Sartell, MN on June 15th this year. I am a duathlon newbie and would like to ask a few questions. FYI : The Apple Duathlon is a 10K/42K/5K event. Here’s my status: – I am a fairly serious runner since last summer and just finished my first marathon last weekend. (4:03:00) – I have been recreationally road biking on and off for many years, and can hold a pretty decent pace for a couple hours. – My bike is a pretty low end Trek touring bike that I’ve been on for about 10 years or so. No fancy clipless pedals or anything, so I’ll just be riding in my running shoes with toe cages. This should make transitions a little easier at least. Here are my questions: Has anyone here done the Apple Duathlon that can give me an idea what the course is like? Specifically the bike portion: Is it a pretty flat, fast course or is it hilly? Since I have never competed in any bike events, what basic race etiquette do I need to know: IE passing, how close to ride to others, verbal signals, turns, etc. And Is there somewhere I can read up on this type of stuff? Since the event is in 2 1/2 weeks, I am going to be training almost every day, with a few rest days in between. I would think doing something like the following should work well : Run/Bike one day, Bike/Run the next day, etc…Run/Bike/Run on the weekend, rest next day. Does this sound like a good plan? Should I train up to or past the race distances? Any suggestions here are welcome. Is it correct to assume that the first transition should be easier on me than the second? I can’t see anything too stressful about going from running to biking, but the bike to run I can see being a problem. Any hints on how to make it easier to get off my butt and onto my feet without falling down rubber legged? Thanks a bundle for any hints you may be able to provide. I am really looking forward to giving this type of event a try! -Rob

Response: