27km Bike
15km Mountain run over two Munro's
7km bike
Time 2:38:58
Position 8th
So on Sautrday i was up at 6am for my 5th race of the season and my second Duathlon. We were blessed with great weather as the sun was just rising as i drove up to Glen Clova, this was a good sign as the days race involved a mountain run so i did not fancy that in bad weather.
The race was structured that groups of ten would set off on the bike then another group 3 minutes later, unfortunately i was in the last group so had a bit of waiting around and was worried that there would be a lot of cyclists on the route. However it gave me plenty of time to warm up, stretch and chat tactics with my parents.
Once i set off on the bike i immediately felt good, i switched up to the big gears, dropped into the tri bars and just set out to ride as hard as possible. Immediately i was overtaking people on the ride and used others as targets to get too. The road had its bends and bumps and occasional head on car but i still managed a fast strong pace. After the halfway mark i began to push even stronger knowing i needed a quick time on the bike. After passing the hotel and heading into the last 7km two other competitors jumped on my wheel to draft, there was no rules about drafting something i wasn't used too. So at first i was a bit annoyed but they took there turn at the front of our pace train and it worked well for me in the end.
Coming off the bike i went into a fairly busy transition but luckily my parents were waving next to where my box was sitting. I switched shoes, grabbed my camel back threw on a cap backwards for reasons unknown and set out on the run. I knew the first section of the run up to Corrie Fee was relatively fast so i tried to up my pace and took on some water. Once i arrived in Corrie Fee it was a beautiful sight, competitors all along and up the back wall. I noticed most were walking up the back as it is extremely steep so i made it my goal to run as much as possible. It was a tough jog up the back of the corrie but i pushed on only walking in places where running was more or less impossible. I glanced at my watch and set myself some time goals to aim for. After the Corrie it was a steep run and a little muddy up to the top of the first Munro Mayar, i reached the checkpoint had a gel and began the descent over the ridge. I pushed hard on the descent knowing i could make up time and ran hard over the ridge mainly to keep warm in the bitter wind. After the ridge the route looped onto the ascent of the second Munro Mayar. The run to the top was again steep and very rocky so i just took it as fast as i could. Once at the top i was feeling good, i had done the hard bit on the mountain and was looking at a pretty fast time. I knew i could push hard on the way down.
The Descent was tricky, it was very rocky and narrow in places and i had a couple of slips. Fortunately nothing major. Once i reached transition i saw my Dad who was telling me i was running a good time. At this point i was feeling exhausted, my legs began to hurt and energy was low. But i knew i needed a final sprint on the bike.
I jumped back onto the bike and began the final push to the finish. My parents were able to follow me in the car on the final leg which was really awesome. It made me want to ride faster and so i dug deep and crossed the line knowing i had nothing left to give.
I finished in two hours 38 and came 8th overall. I am massively happy with that as i am not a mountain runner, i knew i gave everything and a top ten result was incredible. The race was fantastic, with amazing views of the mountains, great support and overall a hard strong day out!
My dad was able to film some of the race from the car please have a look here!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mJxxwGSy3t4
Here are a few photos from the event.
